The cube's circular windows are framed with an illuminated halo of light by night.

The Pod

The Pod is a moveable, temporary recording studio established as a home for local podcasters and musicians and at just 12sqm, it's a small resource with big ambition.

In partnership with White City Plan, DN&Co Placemaking specialists and Stanhope PLC, Fathom Architects have completed a mobile podcast studio named The Pod.

The Pod is a moveable, temporary structure established as a home for podcasters and musicians. At just twelve square metres, the compact space seats up to six people and is equipped with the latest recording and studio technology.

The project is a precursor to the permanent podcast studio currently being constructed in White City Place, with Charcoalblue as theatre and acoustics consultants. Located at the heart of the White City regeneration district, the podcast studio’s facade is generated from the first spoken words transmitted by radio – ‘One, two, three, four. Is it snowing where you are Mr Thiessen?’

A pencil sketch showing the dimensions of the cube, angular outer structure and inner frame.
The pink artwork for the Pod's exterior finish. Tiny squares create a pattern of emanating soundwaves.
In a workshop a man stands on a ladder screwing a panel onto the metal frame of the Pod. Another person lays on the floor, working on the bottom of the Pod.
A close up of the reflective surface of the Pod, covered in a mosaic of pink and silver squares.

The frame of the structure was created using steel box sections, overlaid with CNC cut and folded mirror finish Dibond aluminium composite for the external facade, and lined with acoustic insulation. Charcoalblue were acoustic consultants to Fathom for The Pod, advising on the sound insulation, ventilation noise control, and interior sound-absorbing finishes.

Exterior of the Pod sitting in a plaza by day.
Three men sitting in the Pod at night, seen through its circular window.
Reflective, geometric cube shaped trailer, with foldable stairs extended. It sits in a plaza surrounded by bollards and grass.
Project Details
Client Stanhope, Mitsui Fudosan, Aimco
Location London, UK
Year 2017
Services Acoustic Design
Awards
NLA People's Choice Award shortlist