Al Jazeera English News Studio – Doha

Al Jazeera English (AJE) was launched back in 2006 as part of a global media network initiative and is currently based in Doha, London, New York, and Washington with offices dispersed around the world.

In 2014, VXV designed the AJE London broadcast studio located in the iconic Shard Tower designed by architect famed Renzo Piano (link: VXV_AJE London Shard Tower Studio). VXV followed up by designing a new Network Building and shared space housing both the Al Jazeera Arabic & English channels in 2016 (link: VXV_AJMN Network Studio Building Facility – Doha). This project highlighted VXV´s expertise in unifying architectural, broadcast, operations, and workflow disciplines into one bespoke cutting edge facility.

Whilst VXV´s AJE – Doha can be viewed as an extension of the London Shard brand design, the studio incorporates new design elements and a 360-degree live newsroom environment integrating the news desks into the overall design solution.

A 35m curved video surface allows for the stand-up presenter to move freely along the wall to introduce dynamic content and program segments (Business, Sports, etc) within the News Hour schedule, as well as, special feature and current affair segments.

An illuminated circular news desk facilitates easy hand-over transitions between the program segments enhanced by a 360-degree pivoting platform providing dynamic camera choreography to also integrate the newsroom as a live visual backdrop.

Commenting on the refresh, Duncan Preston, Head of AJMN Global Creative stated, “This has been an amazing project, a huge effort has been made by all departments, coming together with one vision; the aim of creating a more dynamic, modern and fresh on-screen presence that will really enhance and promote the Al Jazeera brand as we move into a new decade”.