To meet the needs of their rapidly expanding force of computer-based animation artists, Disney’s Feature Animation Division took over the former Lockheed “Skunkworks” building near the Burbank Airport. They sought the expertise of DMJM’s interiors team to design their new facility, which incorporates 200,000 square feet of office and production space and a 25,000–square foot commissary adjacent to the building. Designed to foster a creative environment for the artists who occupy the space, the offices feature flexible work pods that can be easily modified to serve the specific needs of the company’s various animation projects. Producer and director offices, as well as story department, editorial, CG animation, and traditional animation work spaces, can all be fit into these versatile production suites. The four floors of office and production space are the first of their kind for this company; they will accommodate completely new and evolving computer technology. In approaching the technical challenges of the project, the designers devoted particular attention to issues such as lighting regulation, cabling, and the building’s capacity to meet the future technological needs of the users. |
