IA, Univision Receiver of IFMA Award in New York

A conference center for one of the leading Spanish language television broadcast networks features state-of-the-art technology and refined brand integration.
Univision Conference Center in New York. Photo by Eric Laignel.
Univision Conference Center in New York. Photo by Eric Laignel.

On January 29, the New York Chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) recognized IA’s design for the recently completed 12,000-square-foot conference center and reception area at Univision’s New York headquarters with its Design and Construction of a New Facility (100,000- 300,000 SF) Award. The conference center is part of a 200,000-square-foot multi-floor, sequential restack at 605 Third Avenue in New York incorporating a variety of programming, architectural components, and end-user requirements.

Univision Conference Center in New York. Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.
Univision Conference Center in New York. Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

“Univision challenged their team to tailor their space to the unique needs of each group, foregoing a standard ‘office and cube scenario’ but creating a space that met the specific needs of each department, to enhance the productivity and collaboration for them all,” says Mindy Williams-McElearney, co-chair of the IFMA Awards Committee and vice president at L&K Partners. “As representatives of one of the largest Spanish-language television audiences in the world, they succeeded in bringing their own team together in a dynamic space that includes a conference center, a large entertainment and reception space using state-of-the-art technology, while incorporating brand imagery throughout.”

Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

The building’s moderate slab-to-slab height presented a challenge for the design team, which included Project Manager Tina Kim, Lead Designer Julio Braga, Stephen Furnstahl, Haeyoung Shin, Fredmy Mejias, DJ Kim, and Tamar Bradley. Despite a large percentage of building services above the ceiling of the conference center, close collaboration with MEP engineers Robert Derector Associates resulted in solutions that were on-design and on-budget. Elegant brand incorporation was achieved through restrained applications of the Univison logo and colored film on a demountable glass wall system that imbues a “Miami feel,” which is the broadcasting hub for the company.

Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.

“One of IA’s tenets is to build strong, lasting relationships with our clients,” says Tina Kim. “This award, which is a culmination of close collaboration with Univision over the last three years, is a great example of that commitment.”

Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.
IA's Tina Kim, left, and Unvision's Peter Lynch, right. © IA Interior Architects.
IA’s Tina Kim, left, and Unvision’s Peter Lynch, right. © IA Interior Architects.
Photo by Eric Laignel.
Photo by Eric Laignel.