Robert Hale, FAIA on Echelon Studios, Sony Scenic Arts and Future of Studios in LA

Building LA

In this episode, I'm joined by Robert Hale FAIA, Partner at RIOS. We talk about his career and two of his latest studio projects – Echelon Studios in Hollywood and the Sony Pictures Scenic Arts Building in Culver City. During our conversation, we discuss Robert's experience working with Frank Gehry, the future of LA's architectural and studio landscape, and what's next for the development of production studios.

Echelon Studios is a production hub combining soundstage production facilities, creative office space, and retail spaces all on a single 5-acre block in Hollywood. Robert explains how they balanced all the functional requirements of state of the art soundstages along with creative office, retail and rooftop production offices. We also discuss a very different studio project, The Sony Pictures Scenic Arts Building, a historic 85-year old building on the Sony Lot in Culver City which is the only known building for the creation of historic film backdrops that were featured in movies such as the Wizard of Oz and Sound of Music. Robert and his team at RIOS renovated it to be an events and office space giving it new life.

Robert also shares insights into his background in architecture and his experience working with Frank Gehry, and his later role as VP of Design and Planning at Universal Studios.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• What it was like to work with Frank Gehry in the 80's.
• Robert’s pivot from Frank Gehry to working for Universal Studios
• How his diverse professional background and key relationships have impacted Robert’s career trajectory
• Why Robert started at RIOS and the influence LA has on the firm
• Robert’s expertise in movie studio design
• The original vision for Echelon Studios
• The unique social atmosphere and functional requirements of a Hollywood studio lot
• The retail presence on the Echelon lot
• Robert’s perspective on vertical studio development in urban areas
• Why the Sony Pictures Scenic Arts Building was such a unique project for his firm
• Rios’ international expansion

Guest Info:

• Connect with Robert on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Rios on rios.com

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