Symetra Financial CEnter Studio
As video became an increasingly important tool for executive communications, employee engagement, training, and corporate storytelling, Symetra set out to build a dedicated production studio within its Bellevue headquarters.
Corporate Content Creation & Production Studio
Bellevue, WA
The initial request was straightforward: create a lighting grid that would support professional video production. As BLS worked with the Symetra team to better understand their goals, it became clear the project required more than a traditional studio installation.
The space needed to be flexible, intuitive to operate, scalable for future growth, and capable of delivering broadcast-quality results—all within the constraints of a commercial office building.
Project Overview
Designing Around the Real Requirements
Unlike purpose-built studios, the available space was limited by ceiling height, structural elements, and existing building systems. A traditional pipe grid would have consumed valuable overhead space while restricting future flexibility.
Working closely with Symetra, BLS developed a solution centered around ETC OneTrack infrastructure, providing integrated fixture mounting, power distribution, and data connectivity throughout the space. The system maximizes usable studio volume while giving users the freedom to position equipment wherever production demands require.
The result is a clean, highly adaptable studio environment designed to evolve alongside Symetra’s content creation needs.
Lit for Content Creation
The studio was designed to support a wide variety of productions, including executive messaging, training content, livestreams, interviews, webinars, and internal communications.
BLS installed a complete ETC lighting package featuring fos/4 Panels, fos/4 Fresnels, ColorSource PARs, and ColorSource Cyc fixtures, providing professional-quality illumination for a wide range of production scenarios.
Professional Results Without Dedicated Operators
A key project objective was creating a studio that could be used by communications teams without requiring a full-time production staff.
BLS implemented ETC Echo controls, touchscreen interfaces, and preset-based operation, allowing users to instantly recall lighting looks for common production scenarios. Staff can walk into the room, select a preset, and begin recording without extensive setup or technical expertise.
This approach simplifies operation while ensuring consistent production quality across every use of the space.
Custom Drapery & Studio Background Systems
To support a variety of production scenarios, BLS designed, fabricated, and installed custom studio drapery systems, including a full cyclorama and dedicated green screen environment.
These systems allow Symetra to quickly transform the studio for executive communications, interviews, webinars, training content, and virtual productions without relying on temporary backdrops or rented equipment. Integrated into the permanent studio infrastructure, the drapery systems provide a professional, repeatable solution that expands the creative capabilities of the space while maintaining a clean and organized studio environment.
Result
What began as a request for a lighting grid became a fully integrated content creation environment.
By combining flexible lighting infrastructure, professional ETC lighting systems, intuitive controls, and custom-fabricated studio soft goods, BLS delivered a future-ready production studio that empowers Symetra to create high-quality content entirely in-house. The space provides the flexibility, scalability, and ease of use needed to support the company’s evolving communication and production goals for years to come.