The Vision
Fairbanks Studios reimagines part of the historic BBC Elstree site as a world-class film and television production campus, enabling AXA IM Alts and Oxygen Studios to deliver new state-of-the-art facilities while ensuring the BBC can continue to operate on the retained element of the estate. Designed by UMC Architects, the project revitalises a landmark broadcasting location within a highly constrained urban environment, balancing heritage, operational continuity and future-facing studio capability.
Our Contribution
Hilson Moran provided full technical leadership from RIBA Stages 1–3, including MEP, utilities, acoustics, flood risk and drainage, energy, sustainability, lighting, security and whole life carbon. This included planning statements and Environmental Statement chapters. We led the decoupling of critical building and infrastructure services and worked closely with the BBC to guarantee uninterrupted media operations during site redevelopment.
Design for People
Surrounded by residential neighbourhoods, the scheme required sensitive solutions to protect local amenity. We introduced acoustic strategies to manage heat pump noise, visual screening through green infrastructure and coordinated carefully with the BBC facilities team to maintain safe, reliable operations across the live estate as required to maintain ongoing TV productions.
Design for Planet
A challenging site, with a culverted main river, flood-zone designation and significant drainage constraints, demanded robust and resilient environmental strategies. Our environmental infrastructure specialists undertook detailed flood modelling and ground re-profiling to maintain capacity while unlocking the site for redevelopment, supported by extensive engagement with the Environment Agency and the Lead Local Flood Authority. Roof-mounted solar PV was specified alongside reversible air-source heat pumps, to target net zero carbon in operation and support long-term climate resilience of the development. Techno-economic modelling of the roof-mounted solar PV was undertaken to understand the return on investment. Fairbanks Studios is targeting BREEAM Outstanding.
