Jan Sikora has once again designed a new studio for Wirtualna Polska, this time in Warsaw. His design moves away from the aesthetics of typical film sets with an almost invisible interior. The newly created space plays a full part in the visual presentation, influences the atmosphere of the conversation and shapes the emotional reception of the content.
Set design instead of a neutral interior
Covering an area of just under 150 square metres, the studio was inspired by the elegance of classic apartments. It features stucco, French herringbone flooring and tall windows, yet it was not the decorative elements that were the most important here. From the outset, the design was intended to be like a film set, reacting to light, working with the camera’s perspective and lending a specific atmosphere to the conversations.
“With this project, we knew from the outset that we weren’t creating ‘just another studio’, but a space with a distinct identity. The starting point was to think of the studio as a set – a place that helps shape the narrative and sets the context for conversation,” says Jan Sikora.
As a result, the studio no longer resembles a technical back-of-house for video production. Instead, it has taken the form of an interior that comes alive through imagery and alters the perception of every shot.
Wirtualna Polska’s new studio
The greatest challenge turned out to be working on the proportions and how the space is perceived by the camera. The studio is relatively intimate, yet it appears much larger on screen. The architects deliberately played with perspective, the rhythm of the walls and the scale of details to achieve the right depth of image. As the designer emphasises, the interior was created with the image in mind rather than the traditional perception of architecture. “The most important thing was to think in terms of the frame, not just the interior. A 2D camera flattens things out, so the design has to be more intense than an everyday space,” explains Sikora.
Lighting also plays a significant role. Here, light does not serve a purely technical function. It can completely transform the atmosphere of a space, from a calm, almost homely setting to a dynamic, theatrical composition with strong contrasts.
Several moods in a single space
The studio, named “Love”, was created with productions related to women’s themes in mind. The interior is dominated by soft lines, warm colours and a more sensual aesthetic. Individual elements of the design allow for the creation of scenes ranging from open, living-room-style shots to more intimate conversations.
The central element of the design is a sculpture over two metres tall by Mikołaj Wyszkowski from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. This striking piece captures attention from the very first seconds of filming and gives the studio a distinctive visual theme. “The sculpture was a deliberate choice – something that gives the space character and makes a lasting impression,” adds Sikora.
The new-generation Wirtualna Polska studio
The project for Wirtualna Polska marks the next stage of the client’s collaboration with the SIKORA studio. The designers were given considerable creative freedom, resulting in the studio adopting a distinct visual language rather than a safe, generic aesthetic. The effect stands out clearly from standard recording spaces. The interior actively influences the viewer’s emotions, heightens the drama of the conversations and creates a distinctive atmosphere for the production. “When I saw the final photos, I thought that this interior truly captivates the viewer. I feel it sets a new standard in the industry,” concludes Jan Sikora.
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About the studio:
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The SIKORA studio has completed over 200 projects in Poland and abroad to date. Its portfolio includes apartments, commercial interiors and media spaces, with projects realised in locations such as the Caribbean. The team consists of interior designers and architects who manage projects from the initial concept, through detailed drawings, to comprehensive turnkey projects. The studio’s work has been recognised internationally – SIKORA has won over 20 awards in the USA, Canada and Germany.
Project: SIKORA
Photography: Tom Kurek
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