Tucson, Arizona — After more than five decades of operating from a makeshift basement facility, Arizona Public Media (AZPM) has officially moved into a state-of-the-art broadcasting center — the Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media at the University of Arizona. The new facility marks a major transformation in AZPM’s ability to tell powerful stories, collaborate effectively, and meet the evolving demands of modern public media.
A Long-Awaited Upgrade
For years, AZPM worked from repurposed classrooms and labs — including a former chemistry lab with visible gas lines still in the wall. The previous space lacked proper sound isolation and hindered collaboration.
“We made it work for decades, but it was never ideal,” said Mary Paul, Executive Assistant and Administrative Services Manager at AZPM.
Now, the new building delivers what they’ve always needed — and more.
A Space Built for Storytelling
The 61,500-sq.-ft. facility, built by DPR Construction, embodies architectural innovation, acoustic precision, and collaborative design.
The first impression? Light.
“When you look up at the two-story ceiling and see light streaming through enormous windows, it’s jaw-dropping,” Paul said.
Designed for Sound, Light & Precision
To meet the technical demands of public broadcasting, the building features:
- A “box within a box” acoustic strategy for complete sound isolation
- 12–15 rooms on floating slabs to eliminate vibration
- Trapezoidal room shapes replacing right angles for optimal acoustics
- Custom silent HVAC systems to ensure microphones capture only intended sounds
- Strategic layouts that separate noisy areas from quiet spaces
“You understand the concept academically, but seeing the level of detail is remarkable,” said Jack Gibson, CEO of AZPM.
Collaboration That Delivered Excellence
The project achieved an impressive zero defects upon completion, a result of strong coordination and mutual trust between trade partners.
“With a facility this complex, it took deep trust and coordination across every trade partner to deliver something this precise,” said Shiann Claridge, DPR Senior Project Engineer.
According to the team, open communication, regular check-ins and active listening built psychological safety and a culture of collaboration.
Purpose-Driven Design
For acoustics, sound isolation wasn’t just a feature — it was the core driver of the entire build process.
“Acoustical performance is so inherent to the room’s function that it really needs to drive the whole process,” said Richard Schrag, Design Principal at Russ Berger Design Group.
