Designed for the Makers Behind the Magic
A purpose-built facility merges hands-on craft with digital innovation to support the next generation of filmmakers.
Film Production Design Building
Winston-Salem, NC
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) is nationally recognized for cultivating the next generation of performing and visual artists. Its School of Filmmaking is known for producing exceptional student films and immersing students in every stage of the creative process—from concept to post-production.
The university identified the need for a dedicated facility to house its Art Direction and Animation departments to better support this mission and highlight the full scope of filmmaking disciplines. The goal was to create a space that elevated behind-the-scenes disciplines and reflected the intersection of traditional techniques and emerging technologies.
EwingCole delivered a 30,000 SF Film Production Design Building that integrates a wide variety of specialized environments—from high-bay shop spaces to digital media studios. The facility includes a wood shop, a paint deck with a spray booth, a metal shop with welding booths, and a craft shop for casting, sewing, and dyeing. Studio and lab spaces blend analog tools with digital capabilities to support animation, gaming, production design, and illustration.
This tailored design supports the school’s commitment to hands-on learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and career preparation for students entering competitive creative industries.
As a result, the new facility elevates the profile of the design and animation disciplines, providing students with a professional-grade environment that mirrors the complexity and creativity of real-world film production.
