CNN Hudson Yards Studios
New York, NY

Studio 21L, Anderson Cooper’s new home at Hudson Yards, is characterized by a sleek combination of rectilinear and circular elements. A corner LED screen is accentuated by cylindrical columns, and the rectangular anchor platform culminates in an arc with inset LED floor tile. Cooper’s desk, supported by clear acrylic, appears to cantilever over the LED floor and comprises two complementary “halves” — one serves the anchor and a few guests while the second extends the desk to host a full discussion panel.

Studio 19Z is shared by CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, Fareed Zakaria GPS, and Erin Burnett OutFront, so key to the design was creating a visually flexible environment with varied shot axes. Besides a few CNN-red accent stripes, the studio’s limited material palette of white, brushed metal, and black allows the LED content and lighting cues to completely redefine the character of the space.

This mutability paired with three unique anchor desks affords each show a distinct look while occupying the same studio. Studio 19X is home to The Van Jones Show and is additionally designed with the capacity to accommodate special features such as town hall events.

Conceptualized as a reconfigurable kit of parts, the set features tracking LED walls, mobile monitor stacks, a platform with optional extensions, a variety of audience riser segments, and height-adjustable ceiling elements.

Client: WarnerMedia / CNN
Designer: Clickspring Design