As experiential fabricators, we tell stories with our hands—shaping wood, metal, and paint into spaces that speak. So as you might imagine, few things feel more meaningful to us than building a place created specifically for storytelling.

This month, we had the honor of bringing such a space to life: a fully customized news studio for Southeastern Louisiana University, nestled within the newly opened Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center in Hammond, LA. Our team approached this project as more than a set build. It was a chance to help shape a space where future storytellers, journalists, and creators can step into their craft with confidence and clarity.

For this project, we teamed up with Southeastern Louisiana University theatre professor and scenic designer Steve Schepker and his talented crew to turn their sleek, intentional design into a physical studio that feels both functional and richly expressive.

Crafting Function with Flexibility

The broadcast media world evolves fast, and we knew this set needed to move with it. Within the 32 x 40-foot studio space, Southeastern’s design called for modularity—a layout that could shift as easily as the stories being told. At the same time, universities don’t get funded for these kinds of projects every day, so our team’s mission was to build a set that would stand up to student use for years to come.

The news anchors’ desk is the heart of that setup: a streamlined centerpiece with a backlit LED monitor and two flanking columns of individually stacked light boxes that angle inward in a soft crescent. The desk itself rests on a raised wooden platform in warm brown tones, with integrated LED lighting that gives it a soft upward glow. It’s a presence, not a prop.

Behind the desk, a vivid backdrop features three integrated monitors, custom wood panels, and carefully aged faux brickwork created by Downtown FabWorks' expert scenic finishers to match existing brickwork on campus. Tastefully applied school emblems and programmable, light-filled columns help set the stage for scenes ranging from evening newscasts to dynamic sports reporting to university-wide announcements.

A Conversation Space with Presence

Just across the room, we crafted a more relaxed zone: the interview set.

Here, a round raised wooden platform becomes home base for in-depth discussions, casual chats, and student panels. Flanked by Art Deco screens and three substantial faux brick columns with dynamic, backlit “S” shields in faux concrete, the set carries a dignified confidence without losing its edge of approachability. Furnishings were chosen for their adaptability—sofa, chairs, and media consoles can be rearranged, redressed, or swapped out to suit the project at hand.

In the tradition of Robin Roberts’ Good Morning America, the interview area boasts a wall of windows looking over Southeastern’s campus. Whether it’s framed by daylight or tucked behind blackout curtains for more intimate lighting, the setup offers students the chance to learn how atmosphere shapes every frame.

A Legacy in Motion

Robin Roberts, whose name anchors this media center, graduated from Southeastern in 1983. As a trailblazer in broadcast journalism and longtime anchor of GMA, her journey is living proof of how powerful good storytelling can be.

It’s a privilege to help build spaces where future generations might discover that for themselves.

From the faux brick treatments to the responsive lighting, every piece of this project was crafted with care—not only to meet the needs of a high-tech news studio, but to give students a place that feels like a launchpad to bright new careers in broadcast journalism. We’re proud to have played a part.

File under "Really Cool" - our work also showed up on Good Morning America! Take a look: 

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There’s always more to the story—especially when it’s built with care. Whether it’s a state-of-the-art news studio or a fully immersive brand experience, we believe every project is an opportunity to craft something meaningful, memorable, and deeply human.

Curious about what’s possible for your next new space? Let's talk.