NBCUniversal Case Study | © 2014 businessinteriors.com 1

CASE STUDY

NBCUniversalFort Worth, Texas

It is no surprise The Studios at DFW parallels its predecessor, the first television facility in the southwest, in many ways.Namely, after broadcasting from the same studios for 64 years, the state-of-the-art multimedia news and broadcasting facility is innovative and future proofed.

ARCHITECTCorgan

FURNITURE DEALERBusiness Interiors

FURNITURE MANUFACTURERSteelcase

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NBCU DALLAS / FORT WORTH STUDIOSCHALLENGE

NBCU planned to unite multiple business units and departments from two separate facilities under one roof. They understood the importance of preserving the unique character of each team. Choice and control of space was a must.

Technology, paramount to broadcasting and multi-media, had to be intrinsic throughout the organization supporting knowledge work and production, as well as, bridging the gap between the two. They wanted the new facility to be future proofed — able to incorporate new technologies and evolve as changes occur in the way information is distributed.

And with its history steeped in firsts, NBCU wanted to inspire...to support the innovative nature of their company and build on that momentum.

SURVEY MODULES

WorkWays uncover how individuals manage their information and objects.

Workplace Satisfaction identifies the gaps between what employees feel is important and what they actually have.

Collaboration sites who people work with, what activities are being done and where the interaction happens.

Mobility reveals how mobile employees are and how that level of mobility impacts the workspace.

Needs Assessment of individuals.

Private Office identifies what is important to the user and their consideration of their current environment.

WORKPLACE SURVEYS

Varney believed user input was imperative. He engaged NBCU’s 300 local employees through Steelcase’s Workplace Surveys. Administered on-line, the surveys were easy. Responses were collected and tallied electronically.

The reports provided insight as to how individuals — producers, editors, anchors, reporters, administrators — were working and what their teams required. In the process of interpretation, notable facts were placed into a want/don’t want and a have/don’t have framework. Patterns were uncovered. The exercise helped to reveal links and gaps in the data received. This understanding drove the initial “Thought Starters.”

INTERCONNECTED WORKPLACE SEMINAR

NBCU took a methodical approach when it came to planning its new facility and workspace. Business Interiors was pleased to be a participant early on. Involvement began when Matt Varney, Vice President of Technology for NBC5, attended a workplace seminar hosted by Business Interiors.

NBCU selected Business Interiors for furniture programming. Corgan was chosen for interior and exterior building design.

OCTOBER 2010 — The seminar addressed key workplace issues: real estate optimization; enhance collaboration; attract and retain talent; and, corroboration of brand and culture.

OCTOBER 2011 — Business Interiors and Steelcase analyze results of workplace surveys. Key issues are determined by developing an overall company profile of NBCU.

Research on generational workplace trends was incorporated into NBCU’s company profile.

• Statistics showed Boomers as 30% of NBCU’s workforce which could result in a major demographic shift as these employees phase out over the next 5-10 years.

• With 37% of its workforce having less than 5 years tenure, retention is important.

• 56% of the workforce has been in their role for less than 5 years, implying that knowledge transfer will be a concern. Environment adjacencies and access to those that hold the information will be advantageous.

These findings were instrumental in designing and developing a truly effective facility from floor plan to furniture components.

NOVEMBER 2011 — Matt Varney and NBC5 review preliminary building plans on flight to Grand Rapids.

WORKLAB

Steelcase hosted a visit to their WorkLab in Grand Rapids, Michigan to present survey conclusions and preliminary plans. Tom Ehlmann - President and General Manager NBC5, the executive teams for NBC5 and Telemundo 39, as well as Tracee Cummins - Operations Director Artworks attended from NBCUniversal. Key personnel from the Corgan and Business Interiors design team joined them. The on-location experience enabled the group to see and test-drive various products addressing NBCU’s workplace requirements.

NBCUniversal made a strategic decision to relocate its DFW companies to one central location:

NBC5/KXAS -TV, Telemundo 39/KXTX -TV, NBC News Southwest Bureau, ArtWorks Texas + ten other NBCUniversal-owned businesses Research Driven Solutions

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BUSINESS INTERIORS’ WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS

Equipped with an understanding of NBCU’s objectives and the insights provided by its survey results, Business Interiors presented furniture solutions and color schemes. The Studios at DFW is a 75,000-square-foot facility —Business Interiors furnished two-thirds including common areas, team spaces and private offices.

CORGAN’S EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN DETAILS

An open, steel canopy designates the main entry of the building. Its long horizontal lines, the building’s framed windows and the 114’ microwave tower in the background resemble a 1950’s regional airport with an air traffic control tower.

Complementing the angular exterior, fluid lines are used in the decorative elements of the ceiling and floor of the lobby and in the reception area. Historic and current contrasts are reflected throughout the building’s interior. For instance, HD color monitors are displayed on walls of reclaimed barn wood. The stations’ histories are celebrated with floor to ceiling murals in its conference rooms and the Peacock Café utilizes refurbished antique studio lights from the original WBAP-TV studios. The interior spaces are open —light is maximized throughout with clerestory windows and glass fronts on offices and conference rooms.

OCTOBER 2013 — “The Studios at DFW is a state-of-the-art media facility designed and built for the future with a nod to television broadcasting’s history. The address, 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, has historical significance — 1948 was the year Amon Carter launched Channel 5 as WBAP-TV, the first television station in Texas. Located on the site of the former Greater Southwest International Airport (Amon Carter Field), the building design combines mid-century modern influence and elements invoking the regional airports of the 1950’s and 60’s.” RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY EXCERPT

Business Interiors worked in conjunction with Corgan to ensure furniture was cohesive with building design. Furniture reminiscent of Mid-Century modern was specified to further enhance NBCU’s heritage reflected in the lobby and café. Color selections aligned with corporate branding: NBCUniversal purple is predominant in the lobby and executive suites; each team is differentiated with its own accent color; all colors mingle in the Peacock Café.

The open environment is supported by pairing neutral workstation panels with the natural light. Seated-privacy-height panels provide a “lower horizon” that allows not only light, but conversation to flow. 82% employees wanted closer proximity and the ability to overhear conversations in order to stay informed. For teams like Finance, in need of semi-private workstations, frosted glass extensions are added to panels which also double as writable surfaces.

Despite a preference for open work spaces, 67% of NBCU employees also expressed a need for confidential conversations. Not to mention, teleconferencing at NBCU is prevalent. Eleven phone rooms I/SHARED are interspersed throughout the facility and available for private work for one or two people.

MAINTAINING COHESIVE DESIGNPALETTE OF PLACE is based on a solutions framework that defines individual and group work spaces.

I/SHAREDTouchdown

SpacesEnclaves

WE/SHAREDTraining Rooms

Café SpacesCollaborative

Spaces

I/OWNEDResident

WorkstationsPrivate Offices

WE/OWNEDProject Team

SpacesShared Project

Spaces

SHARED

OWNED

I WE

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RM 152A – Newsroom Open Typicals (6 Pack; No Infill)RM 153 – Newsroom Office RM 152A – Newsroom Lounge Areas

WELL BEING

Given the fast-paced nature of the broadcasting industry, NBCU took measures to encourage employee health. The Studios at DFW include a fitness center. Another unique feature is a wellness room for nursing mothers. Amenities such as these also help attract and retain top talent.

Having the right furniture to work comfortably and safely was equally important to NBCU. Healthy sitting — ergonomic seating that promotes movement — is provided in private offices with the form fitting Leap chair, in open workstations with the intuitive Think chair, and in the editing bays with the active Buoy stool. Many offices are equipped with sitting-to-standing height adjustment work surfaces.

NEIGHBORHOODS

There are 12+ types of teams at NBCU. Like the newsroom, each is composed of I/OWNED dedicated workstations and private offices, as well as, shared area(s) WE/OWNED within the team.

Worktools and paper-flow tools were on NBCU employees’ have/want requirements list. Users were able to choose their own desk accessories based on a point sheet. Vertical organization was incorporated reserving the desktop for immediate use, as well as, increasing the piling zones for multiple, ongoing projects.

Shared or project spaces varied according to each team’s needs —ranging from intense collaboration around computers to comfortable lounge settings. In some areas, storage doubles as work tables. Architectural division of Post & Beam adds space differentiation and power. Mobile whiteboards and tack surfaces are incorporated for sharing information vertically allowing for quick visual updates.

THE HUB

From the lobby, visitors can look beyond two sets of glass doors directly into the newsroom — the hub of NBC5 / Telemundo 39. This area features:

• I/OWNED 108 dedicated benching workstations are tailored to support a functional blend of mobility and collaboration for users. This system features discreet cable distribution and an integrated rail. The Rail hosts three monitors and a power strip above the bench for each user.Private offices are designed for focused and collaborative work of 2-4 people.

• WE/OWNED A team theater is open for spontaneous or scheduled interaction within the team. A lounge area with semi-private screens offers users a break from their desks and chairs.

• I/SHARED Touchdown areas are available to give visitors a temporary place to work.

Effective Results

Like the Newsroom, teams consist of open workstations, private offices and shared spaces.

The Newsroom is primarily furnished with platform product — furniture that can be expanded or changed:

Open Workstations:STEELCASE Frame One BenchingDETAILS Slat Wall

Lounge Areas:STEELCASE media:scape team theater TURNSTONE Campfire lounge

Private Offices:STEELCASE Elective Elements 6DETAILS Rail

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BUSINESS INTERIORS PROJECT TEAM

Business Interiors project team included: Shawn Chizzonite, Strategic Account Executive; Emily Lake, Design Application Specialist; Sharon Chamberlain, Senior Designer; Bubba Chapman, Project Manager and Steelcase Consultant - Jeremy Thole.

Shawn and Emily are members of FOREfront, a Business Interiors team that concentrates on new workplace initiatives and trends.

BUSINESS INTERIORS

Based in Irving, Texas, Business Interiors is a full-service furniture dealership serving the Dallas/Fort Worth area for over forty years.

The company specializes in architectural products and furniture supporting commercial, education and healthcare environments.

Service expertise includes: space planning, installation, project management, service/refurbishing, and asset management. New furniture alternatives are available through previously-owned and rental services.

Business Interiors is certified through North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).  The dealership is A Steelcase Exemplary Dealer, a Steelcase Founders Award Recipient and a Women’s Business Enterprise of the Year, Three-Time Recipient.

NBCU FACILITY LEED CERTIFIED

The Studios at DFW was built to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified - Silver.

Assessed as safe for human and environmental health, the furniture contributed to the building’s certification. By having high recycled content with even higher recyclable properties, NBCU’s furnishings diverted 169,000 pounds of waste from landfills.

The Studios at DFW is the only LEED certified media facility in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area and one of only a few in the country.