The K-LOVE Tennessee campus was designed to do more than house offices. As Educational Media Foundation’s footprint grew, they needed a place that could bring together broadcasting, events, and daily operations under one roof while still protecting the integrity of their sound and signal.
Lee Company partnered with Brasfield & Gorrie to deliver a 168,975 square foot, dual building campus in Franklin, Tennessee, with Class A office space, a state of the art event venue, five acoustically distinct recording studios, and a full service data center. The project finished on time and on budget.
A Campus Built for Connection
The campus is organized around two main buildings linked by a dramatic central lobby, complete with a grand staircase and exposed natural rock feature. The space is meant to feel open, welcoming, and visually impressive, while quietly supporting the technical needs of a modern media operation.
K-LOVE’s teams needed:
- Comfortable, efficient office environments
- A flexible event venue that could host live audiences and broadcasts
- Recording studios with strict acoustic separation
- A data center with reliable cooling and environmental control
Those goals shaped every decision around mechanical and plumbing design.
Mechanical and Plumbing Systems Built for Performance
Lee Company provided comprehensive mechanical and plumbing systems to support the entire campus. The scope included:
- Ductwork, air distribution, and associated specialties
- Control wiring, devices, thermostats, and related components
- Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) units and DataAir support for the data center
- Trane air cooled chillers and air handling units
- Backfill for underground ductwork and infrastructure
- Single wall, externally wrapped ductwork on runouts
- Condensing unit and domestic cold water piping
- BIM coordination and support for system layout
These systems work together to maintain comfort for staff and guests, protect sensitive equipment, and support continuous on air operations.
Designing Around Acoustics and Architecture
Broadcast and recording spaces bring unique challenges. High acoustic standards meant that duct routes, equipment locations, and air velocities had to be carefully managed so the building could breathe without being heard. At the same time, architectural elements like the grand staircase and exposed rock feature in the lobby created both opportunities and constraints for mechanical layouts.
Early design collaboration helped align the mechanical approach with both the acoustic and visual requirements of the project. BIM coordination allowed the team to model ductwork, piping, and equipment in relation to structural and architectural elements before anything was installed in the field.
Navigating COVID Era Supply Chain Challenges
The K-LOVE campus was delivered during a period of widespread supply chain disruptions. Long lead times and shifting availability meant that flexibility and proactive planning were as important as the drawings.
Lee Company’s internal teams stepped in where third party contractors fell short, leveraging in house fabrication and field expertise to keep the project on track and meet key milestones. Daily coordination with the GC and trade partners helped sequence deliveries, manage equipment startups, and avoid bottlenecks.
An Award Winning Result and a Stronger Partnership
Despite the complexity of the systems and the challenges of the moment, the K-LOVE Tennessee campus was completed on schedule and within budget. It has since been recognized as an award winning project that showcases what is possible when technical precision, early collaboration, and a values driven approach come together.
For K-LOVE, the new campus delivers what matters most: reliable comfort, protected acoustics, and robust infrastructure that supports their mission every day. For Lee Company, it is a clear example of the LeeWay in action, building lasting partnerships, solving complex problems, and delivering with excellence.
