Sunnyside Studios: Vertical Urban Soundstage Innovation
GLUCK+ redefines studio campus design by compressing production infrastructure into a single urban block.
1Redefining Studio Typology
Sunnyside Studios challenges the traditional backlot model by moving away from sprawling horizontal campuses. In dense urban environments like New York City, land scarcity necessitates a vertical approach. GLUCK+ designed this facility to function as a cohesive unit, effectively replacing the golf-cart-linked street networks found in conventional suburban studio developments.
2Operational Density Strategy
The project successfully compresses diverse campus requirements into a single urban block. This includes soundstages, production support areas, loading docks, parking facilities, and catering services. By integrating these essential functions vertically, the design maintains the operational logic of a campus while adapting to the spatial constraints of a major metropolitan area.
3Architectural Leadership Team
Led by Peter L. Gluck and Stacie Wong, the design team included Howie Chen, Don O'Keefe, and Jorge Aguirre. Their collaborative effort focused on solving the logistical challenges of modern media production within a 350,000 square foot footprint. The project was completed in 2025, marking a significant shift in urban commercial architecture.
4Engineering and Technical Collaboration
The project involved extensive multi-disciplinary engineering support to ensure structural and acoustic integrity. Titan Engineers PC handled structural requirements, while Langan provided civil engineering expertise. Meyers Plus managed MEP systems, and AKRF addressed acoustic needs. Lux Populi oversaw lighting design, ensuring the facility meets the rigorous technical demands of professional film production.
5Material and Structural Execution
Construction utilized Nudura ICF products, which contribute to the building's structural performance and efficiency. The choice of materials supports the project's goal of creating a durable, high-performance environment for media creation. This selection reflects the technical precision required when building large-scale soundstages within a dense, multi-story urban infrastructure framework.
6Urban Integration Challenges
Building in Queens requires navigating complex site constraints that differ significantly from traditional studio locations. The design team prioritized the seamless flow of crew and talent through the vertical stack. By centralizing support services, the architecture minimizes transit time between stages, effectively mimicking the efficiency of a traditional horizontal studio campus.
7Project Scale and Scope
Spanning 350,000 square feet, the Sunnyside Studios project represents a massive investment in urban production infrastructure. The scale allows for multiple soundstages to operate simultaneously without interference. This concentration of resources within one city block demonstrates a viable path forward for media companies seeking to maintain operations in high-density urban centers.
8Future of Urban Production
Sunnyside Studios serves as a prototype for future commercial developments in land-constrained cities. By proving that production campuses do not require expansive horizontal footprints, the project offers a blueprint for other urban markets. The success of this model highlights the growing importance of vertical integration in modern commercial and industrial architecture.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Sunnyside Studios: Vertical Urban Soundstage Innovation