Introduction
Chinese state broadcaster CGTN established its European hub at Chiswick Park in West London and required two new television studios with precision engineered floors suitable for multi camera and robotic camera operation. Working to a tight critical path under main contractor Overbury, Elgood Industrial Flooring was appointed to install a total of 285 m² of Universal Television Studio Floor across Studio A and Studio B. The fast track programme involved working two shifts most days to deliver super flat, fully painted studio floors ready for set construction the day after completion.
Background
CGTN’s European hub in Chiswick Park needed broadcast quality studio floors that would perform reliably from day one. The designers acting on behalf of CGTN approached Elgood Industrial Flooring on the strength of previous demanding studio installations completed using the Elgood Studio Floor System.
The chosen solution had to integrate with a purpose built timber floor structure, where plywood formed the immediate sub floor. As British manufacturers with more than 30 years of specialist studio flooring experience and over 130 studio installations, Elgood could offer a proven Universal Television Studio Floor System designed, manufactured and installed entirely in house to meet broadcaster expectations.
The Challenge
The project presented several key challenges. The studio floors had to:
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Be installed on a purpose built timber floor structure with a plywood sub floor, rather than a conventional concrete slab
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Deliver super flat operating surfaces suitable for both multi camera and robotic camera use
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Be completed to the required standard first time, with no opportunity for delay or rework, as set construction was booked to start the day after completion
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Fit within Overbury’s strict critical path on a fast track programme, requiring careful planning of inductions, deliveries and working patterns
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Be installed by a compact in house team within a live construction environment, maintaining quality and health and safety standards throughout
The Solution
Elgood Industrial Flooring engineered and installed a Universal Television Studio Floor System tailored to the CGTN project and its timber based sub floor.
Key elements of the solution included:
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Sub floor preparation
The plywood was prepared by sanding to remove surface contamination and provide a suitable key. It was then sealed with a penetrating solvent free epoxy priming coat, stabilising the surface and promoting adhesion. Joints and screw holes were filled with an epoxy mortar to create a continuous, stable base for the studio floor. -
6 mm Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface
Elgood installed the Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface at 6 mm thickness across Studio A and Studio B, providing a total of 285 m² of precision laid studio flooring. The system was designed and manufactured by Elgood specifically for television studio use, with flatness tolerances that support smooth camera pedestal and robotic camera performance. -
Multi camera and robotic camera performance
The Universal Television Studio Floor was selected as it is proven to deliver the level of flatness, durability and surface quality required for multi camera and robotic camera studios, giving CGTN confidence in both immediate performance and long term reliability. -
Fast track programme and in house installation
To meet Overbury’s critical path and CGTN’s launch timetable, the floors were installed on a fast track basis, working two shifts on most days. All works were carried out by Elgood’s own in house team of trained operatives, ensuring consistent workmanship and a single point of responsibility from preparation through to handover. -
Studio floor painting
Thirty six hours after completion of the Universal Television Studio Floor system, the studio floor received its coat of Mylands Semi Permanent Studio Floor Paint, providing a broadcast ready finish in line with the designer’s specification.
Outcome
The completed project has provided CGTN with two high performance studio floors at its European hub in Chiswick Park, London:
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285 m² of super flat Universal Television Studio Floor across Studio A and Studio B, suitable for multi camera and robotic camera operation
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A robust 6 mm operating surface installed over a prepared plywood sub floor, demonstrating the versatility of the Elgood system
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Floors delivered on a fast track programme to Overbury’s critical path, ready in time for set construction and studio fit out
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A single source solution, with design, manufacture and installation all handled by Elgood Industrial Flooring, reducing risk and simplifying coordination for the client
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A proven studio floor system with a strong reputation built on more than 30 years and over 130 installations, supporting CGTN’s long term broadcast operations in London
By combining careful preparation of the timber based sub floor with a 6 mm Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface and semi permanent studio paint finish, Elgood Industrial Flooring has helped CGTN create reliable, technically capable studios at the heart of its European hub.
