2020 Summer Olympics Tokyo
Broadcast Set Design
*
NBC Sports
*
Broadcast Set Design * NBC Sports *
Client: NBC Sports
Agency: HD Studio
Design: Bryan Higgason, Paul Benson, Sid Wichienkuer
Scenic Fabricator: Black Walnut
Lighting: LDG
about
The designs at the IBC — and all of NBC’s Tokyo spaces — are centered around a wood-toned “lattice” structure inspired by a blend of traditional and modern Japanese architecture and woodworking elements that were prominent in the city’s presentation during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. Many of the elements are inspired by Chidori, a Japanese toy that is made from wooden rods.
Although real woods couldn’t be used, careful research focused on matching the tones and grains found in traditional native Japanese yew and cyprus.
The lattice also had appealed to Higgason’s team because it has “inherent movement.”
“It looks solid and structural when you’re standing still, but if the camera moves, the layers cause movement from a geometric standpoint,” said Higgason, while also noting he particularly likes the subtly the shifts in perspective bring.
Perspective, Higgason, is especially important during an Olympics held during a pandemic and he’s proud that his team’s work ended up being able to showcase the sportsmanship of the games.