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Designing a Podcast Studio
A bold podcast studio for Darbar Arts & Heritage Trust in London
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Designing a Podcast Studio
We are thrilled to be designing a bespoke podcast room for Darbar Arts & Heritage Trust, the UK’s leading Indian Classical Music charity.
The challenge? Creating a multifunctional recording studio that delivers professional sound and video quality, reflects Darbar’s creative brand, and can adapt to future collaborators.
1. The Vision: Versatile, On-Brand, High-Performance
Darbar needed more than four walls and a mic. They wanted:
༶ A visually strong podcast backdrop that worked with a multi-camera set up
༶ A room with excellent acoustic control without compromising aesthetics
༶ A flexible brand identity for various collaborators renting the space
༶ Seamless lighting, lockable storage integration and technology integration with a live feed to the editing suite next door
We took all of the above and turned it into a stylish, sound-optimised solution.
2. The Interior Design Direction: Where Function Meets Flair
Our London design team crafted a modern, elevated scheme using:
༶ A bold yellow accent palette echoing surrounding rooms
༶ Milliken acoustic carpet tiles for sound clarity and warmth
༶ Allsfar Ora acoustic wall panels for both design and performance
༶ Flexible furniture layout with discreet electrical access and camera zones
Want to see the full vision?
3. Materials & Layout: Designed to Perform
This wasn’t just an interiors job - it was about performance, efficiency, and long-term use. Every material was specified for function and durability:
༶ Milliken sound-absorbing carpet - reducing echo and adding warmth
༶ Allsfar acoustic wall panels & ceiling rafts - ideal for small space sound control
༶ Camera-ready lighting layout - for sharp visual content
༶ Lockable storage for podcast gear and lighting equipment
༶ Smart plug + play electrical layout to suit any equipment setup
Working with Mount Lighting and Allsfar, we curated acoustic lighting and wall systems that look as good as they sound.
Design-Led Acoustics with Allsfar
We welcomed our Allsfar account manager to our Leicester studio to help specify the acoustics for the podcast room, offices, theatre and cafe in the new Darbar HQ. We selected the 'Ora V 'Geometric' design wall panels in 'Wheat Beige' to catch the coloured studio lights and change up the mood to suit each brand. Needless to say the panels were chosen for function as well as design, and will perform well in this space where sound is key. We also loved receiving the updated Allsfar Acoustic Sample Box with their huge range of colours - particularly loving the coloured neutrals for their versatility and timelessness.
Carpet Tile Perfection with Milliken
Our lovely account manager visited our studio with sample folders at the ready to discuss both the bestselling collections, and the recently launched 'Pattern Play Collection'. We had first spotted this collection at Clerkenwell Design Week in May, and were keen to specify it from the outset. Linking with the yellow tones of the furniture in the renders, we selected a grey-yellow textural carpet tile from the range. We always love Miliken's design-forward approach and innovative printing methods - as someone form a textile print design background it's impossible not to nerd-out a little!
4. Mood Lighting at its finest
We have visualised commercial-grade studio lighting positioned in the skirting and ceiling detailing for optimal video performance. The light fittings were mounted to work harmoniously with neutral-coloured walls - allowing future brands using the space to easily overlay their own colour palette in post-production or bring in soft props, branding, and background enhancements without clashing. The ambient lighting setup provides a professional-grade base for video content creators while still allowing flexibility.
Check out the different visuals we created by simply altering the lighting colour to switch-up the mood.
podcast room
Sourcing Board
We created this sourcing board to showcase how we thoughtfully curate materials and loose items for each project. From concept design and 3D visuals to sourcing and specification, we manage the full process. All sourcing information is added into a live client portal - giving you seamless access to links, pricing, suppliers, and every detail you need, all in one place.
5. The Result: A Studio Ready for the Spotlight
This podcast room isn’t just a box with sound panels. It’s a professional-grade, fully branded, acoustically designed space that:
༶ Records studio-quality audio
༶ Looks powerful on camera
༶ Flexes for new users and brands
༶ Supports Darbar’s mission to elevate Indian Classical Music in the UK
It proves that with the right strategy, small spaces can deliver big impact.
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Whether it’s a podcast room, café, boutique office, or Airbnb flat - we help bring your commercial interiors to life, from concept to completion.
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