HIGHLAND, NEW YORK, September 18, 2024 – Architectural acoustic consulting and A/V systems design firm WSDG (Walters-Storyk Design Group) have announced that Line Studio at WMS is a finalist for the 2025 NAMM TEC Awards in the Outstanding Creative Achievements – Studio Design Project category. The TEC Awards – a yearly celebration of achievements in pro audio technology and sound production, as well as the audio professionals behind these achievements – will be presented as the highlight of the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California on January 23, 2025. For more information about the 2025 NAMM TEC Awards, please click here.
A cultural rallying point for Hawaii’s next generation of artists and educators
Line Studio at WMS is the physical embodiment of the passion and cultural drive of a pioneering group of educators at Washington Middle School [WMS] – a Title-1 classified public school serving students from underprivileged backgrounds in Honolulu. WMS is the only public school in Hawaii providing training in recording and audio production, so it serves a very important role in fostering Hawaii’s musical culture and performing arts talent. Nearly 8 years in the making from concept to completion, Line Studio at WMS now serves as a cultural hub for these students and educators, as well as aspiring and professional musicians from all around the island chain. “We were challenged to raise the horizons for recording studios in Hawaii with the design of Line Studio at WMS,” adds WSDG Partner, Director of Business Development and Project Engineer Sergio Molho. “To create something that would rival anything on the mainland and provide the next generation of Hawaiian musical talent with access to the best facilities and technology available.”
The 1600ft2 complex features a large control room which is configurable for multiple educational and production workflows. The control room has dedicated consoles for both audio and video production – specifically the SSL AWS 948 and AVID MTRX and a NewTek Tricaster. Monitoring is provided by a custom Symphonic Acoustics speaker system, jointly designed by WSDG and George Augspurger, as well as a full Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 ATC speaker array for immersive audio production and mixing. The studio also includes a spacious live room and two iso booths. Advanced predictive analysis using NIROTM software developed by REDIacoustics, was utilized to ensure an optimized acoustic environment for all spaces. “We developed a spacious live room and large control room and floated the entire complex to assure total acoustic isolation,” explained WSDG Partner, Director of Production Romina Larregina. “To account for Hawaii’s unique weather conditions, we also designed a custom HVAC system to ensure ideal temperature and humidity conditions to preserve the studio and its components as well as provide a comfortable atmosphere for its occupants.”
“WSDG has designed thousands of rooms, but this one is very special to us,” she continued. “It is truly an inspirational space where the only limit to what can be achieved within it is the imagination and drive of the community it serves.”
In keeping with the studio’s location and connection to the local culture, the aesthetic design of the studio was inspired by its lush Hawaiian surroundings and incorporated native woods and other sustainable local materials in its construction. The look of the local kalo plant is also a recurring motif in the design that gives the space a welcoming, organic vibe.
“We are honored to once again be recognized by our peers in the industry with this nomination,” said WSDG Co-Founding Partner John Storyk. “Line Studio at WMS is a very special project that is close to the heart of everyone at WSDG. We’re often privileged as an organization to design facilities that meld together our expertise in both recording studios and educational spaces. With this particular project, we feel that we’ve created something truly unique that will serve as a springboard for musical talent on the islands for generations to come.”
For more information about Line Studios at WMS, please visit: https://wsdg.com/namm-tec-awards-2025/
ABOUT WSDG, LLC
WSDG (Walters-Storyk Design Group) is an 13-time TEC award-winning international firm specializing in architectural acoustic consulting and media systems engineering. Pioneering architect/acoustician, John Storyk (AIA), founded the company in 1969 with the creation of Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios in New York City’s Greenwich Village. WSDG provides a wide portfolio of design and consulting services that support architectural projects throughout all phases of project development. Our international team of consultants have provided timely, detailed and cost-effective advice on highly sensitive and complex architectural construction and renovation projects, from small but critical retrofits to challenging ground up construction projects. WSDG has extensive experience with sensitive architectural issues including historical renovations, additions and new construction projects in media production, corporate, government, transportation, education, broadcasting and cultural / entertainment sectors.
Past clients include Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, J Cole, and Jack Antonoff, corporate entities such as Spotify, Sony, CBS, Novartis, and IBM, and global governmental AV installations as well as and educational institutions such as Berklee College of Music, UCLA, University of Music Vienna, and NYU.
WSDG is a 13 time NAMM TEC award winner for studio design, including last year’s winner, Rue Boyer, Mix with the Masters’ flagship Paris recording studio.
