Provost Studio Re-Envisions On-Air Brand for the Chicago Bears Network at Halas Hall

Lead Interior/Scenic Designer aims to create an engaging, dynamic viewer experience

Lake Forest, IL (November 11, 2013) - The Chicago Bears Network has officially launched its new state- of-the-art broadcast television and radio studio as part of the 40,000 square-foot renovation and addition to the Chicago Bears headquarters at Halas Hall. Lead designer, Peter Provost of Provost Studio set out to create a visually engaging and dynamic on-air environment for the network to further connect fans to the long-standing heritage and history of the Chicago Bears Football Club.

The 2,300 square foot studio was designed to accommodate a multiple show line up for both network broadcasting and webcast viewing including “Bears Gameday Live,” “Bears Gamenight Live” and “Inside the Bears.”  The studio is organized into two main broadcast zones: a main anchor desk area and an informal standup area. The two zones are tied together by a 48 foot-long, backlit graphic wall of the Bears practice field and glowing LED yard line markers that wrap the studio walls and ceiling.  Prior to the new space, the network was operating in the lower basement level of Halas Hall, not originally designed as a production studio. 

Provost Studio worked with additional team members to deliver the project including: Peter Hyde Design (Associate Designer); Sean "Sid" Post (Lighting Designer); and Chicago Scenic Studios (Studio Planning & Scenic Fabrication).

A main overall creative goal for the project was to develop a scenic environment with a level of authenticity and an insider perspective that speaks to the place of Halas Hall and the legacy of the Chicago Bears brand. One exciting scenic element that largely helps to achieve this vision is a 48 foot-long graphic wall featuring a panoramic view of the team’s practice field, a perspective rarely seen by the general public. The informal stand up area “Locker Room” is closely modeled after the newly renovated headquarters facility and incorporates actual full-sized lockers and equipment provided by the team’s equipment manager. Historic photos of all-time great players line the space from the extensive Bears photo archive.  

Flexibility was also paramount for the new studio. Both scenic elements and technology help to easily reconfigure the studio for each program format and show specific graphic package. The main anchor desk is shaped to accommodate a range of host/guest seating configurations and can rotate 180 degrees if needed to take advantage of changeable graphic backdrops.

The new Chicago Bears Network TV and radio station produces a wide range of television shows, radio shows, new media and video-on-demand designed to give viewers exclusive, inside access to the team. Chicago Bears Network programming can be seen and heard on FOX Chicago, WBBM Radio, Comcast Sportsnet Chicago, Comcast Video-On-Demand, WSCR radio and on ChicagoBears.com.

Provost Studio, LLC is a multi-disciplinary design and consulting practice with international reach, focused on interior design and branded environments. The studio excels at helping its clients communicate their brand spatially. They create immersive, narrative-rich environments that engage the senses and embody the values, identity and culture of each organization. Provost Studio is based in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina with an office in New York City. The studio’s work intersects the fields of architecture, interior design, branding, exhibit design, scenic design, graphic design and furniture design. They engage a diverse range of project types including museum and cultural centers, visitor centers, retail environments, broadcast television studios, exhibits, meetings/events, corporate headquarters and office interiors.

For more information regarding the scenic design for the Chicago Bears Network Broadcast Studio

or to schedule an interview with Provost Studio, please contact Sara Skirboll at sara.skirboll@gmail.com.