Adaptive Reuse of a Historic Building into a Modern Oklahoma News & Music Hub
Industry: Adaptive Reuse, Commercial Office Space, Tenant Improvement
Year Completed: 2024
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Project Size: 9,952 sq ft | 8,569 sq ft office | 1,383 sq ft apartment
Project Type: Interior Design
Contractor: Allison Barta Bailey
Historic character preserved. Modern production elevated. Community impact amplified.
Overview
When KOSU set out to relocate its operations, the goal wasn’t simply more space. It was a better space. As a trusted source for independent music and Oklahoma news, KOSU needed a headquarters that reflected its growing impact, supported creative production, and honored the organization’s deep connection to the community.
AMMP Studio partnered with KOSU to transform the historic Farmer’s Union building (originally constructed in 1921) into a modern, high-functioning broadcast and production environment while preserving the spirit of its past.
Take a look at this announcement KOSU made about the project in 2023.
Who is KOSU?
KOSU is a member-supported public radio network and NPR affiliate serving central and northeast Oklahoma. Established in 1955, the station broadcasts award-winning local news and information alongside a vibrant mix of national NPR content and independent music programming, including The Spy FM on air and online.
Operating on multiple frequencies across the state and available online, KOSU connects listeners to stories, ideas, and culture with a uniquely Oklahoma perspective. As a nonprofit broadcaster grounded in public service, KOSU’s mission is to enrich and inform the community through an exchange of information, artistry, and dialogue that reflects the heart of the region it serves.
The Challenge
KOSU had outgrown its previous space. Acoustic limitations, inefficient layouts, and size constraints were slowing operations and limiting growth. An opportunity became available for them to transform a leasable space into a long-term home for their ever-growing needs.
Adaptive reuse projects require more than creative vision. They demand technical precision, operational understanding, and thoughtful coordination between design and construction.
For KOSU, this wasn’t simply a relocation. It was a strategic move toward long-term growth, improved production quality, and a space that could evolve with their programming needs.
The new building presented both opportunity and complexity:
How do you integrate modern recording studios into a historic structure?
How do you solve sound isolation in a 100+ year-old building?
How do you open up work environments while maintaining acoustic control?
How do you create efficiency without sacrificing character?
Beyond layout and aesthetics, this project required careful coordination around security, parking, and satellite infrastructure, critical components for a working broadcast organization.
By aligning space planning, acoustic performance, and infrastructure early in the process, AMMP Studio helped reduce friction during construction and ensure the building would serve the organization well into the future.
The Strategic Approach
Listening First
Before drawing plans, AMMP Studio focused on listening. We worked closely with KOSU leadership, including KOSU Director Rachel Hubbard, to understand workflow, production needs, and long-term vision.
Our goal wasn’t to force a design solution. We wanted to translate their concerns, needs, and visions into functional realities within their chosen space.
Designing for Acoustics & Efficiency
With Anna’s prior project experience in sound-sensitive environments, we paid special attention to editing studios and recording booths.
Strategic solutions included:
- Carefully planned studio placement within the historic shell
- Sound-conscious material selections
- Interior detailing designed to manage acoustics without compromising aesthetic
- Space planning studies to ensure maximum functional efficiency
The first floor was opened up to create a collaborative, flexible work environment, while the second-floor tenant space was thoughtfully integrated for the building owner.
Respecting History While Supporting Modern Function
The Farmer’s Union building has stood in Oklahoma City since 1921. That’s over 100 years! Rather than erase its past, we leaned into it, preserving character while modernizing the interior to meet today’s technical demands.
The result is a space that continues to contribute to Oklahoma’s story, just in a new way.
Scope of Work
AMMP Studio provided comprehensive interior design and tenant improvement services, including:
- Initial space planning studies to confirm fit and long-term flexibility
- Interior architecture and layout reconfiguration
- Acoustic strategy for editing studios and recording booths
- Sound-conscious material and finish selections
- Furniture specification and selection
- Coordination of security, parking, and satellite infrastructure
This integrated approach ensured that both creative production and day-to-day operations were considered at every stage of the design process.
The Outcome
Celebrating Oklahoma’s Past, Present, & Future
Today, KOSU operates from a historic headquarters that:
- Supports high-quality audio production with improved acoustics
- Enhances team collaboration through an open, efficient layout
- Integrates necessary infrastructure, including security, parking coordination, and satellite access
- Reflects the organization’s mission and cultural relevance
What was once a space serving agricultural producers now serves storytellers, journalists, and musicians, continuing a legacy of supporting Oklahoma’s voice. The new layout allows KOSU to expand programming, support creative collaboration, and adapt as technology evolves.
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At its core, this project was about more than square footage or renovation. It was about creating a space that supports storytelling, creativity, and community connection across Oklahoma.
Through intentional listening, thoughtful design, and a collaborative process, our team helped KOSU transition into a headquarters that supports both operational excellence and creative expression. The historic structure remains intact, but its purpose has evolved, just as KOSU has.
The result is a space that works harder, sounds better, and reflects the heart of the organization inside it.
This project was especially meaningful for our team. It reflects our commitment to preserving historic character while solving complex acoustic and operational challenges — proof that thoughtful adaptive reuse can create space for long-term growth without compromising mission or functionality. As longtime supporters of KOSU and its work, the partnership felt aligned in both mission and impact. If you’d like to give to KOSU, you can do so here.
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Interested in More Projects?
Explore our other in-progress and completed projects here. If you’re ready to start the conversation about a project of your own, reach out to us today!