Garden Studios - Virtual Production Stage
Bespoke Structural Engineering & Motorised LED Ceiling System
Transforming structural constraints into creative flexibility.
Project Overview
When Garden Studios set out to enhance the capabilities of its virtual production stage, the ambition was clear: to create a highly adaptable LED ceiling system that could be repositioned quickly and efficiently to accommodate the changing demands of film and television production.
However, the existing building presented significant engineering challenges. Its roof structure had not been designed to support the substantial loads associated with large LED installations, while the lattice beam configuration restricted the available height for conventional trussing systems.
Cirro Lite was tasked with developing a bespoke solution that would overcome these structural limitations while delivering the flexibility, safety and operational efficiency required of a modern virtual production facility.
The Challenge
Making the Most of a Challenging Space
The primary challenge was the building itself. The existing roof structure could not accommodate the weight of the proposed LED ceiling system through conventional rigging methods.
Furthermore, the lattice beams running across the ceiling presented another obstacle. Installing a traditional truss beneath these beams would significantly reduce the usable height of the stage — a particularly important consideration in virtual production, where every metre of clearance can make a difference.
Beyond these structural constraints, Garden Studios wanted to address a major operational limitation.
Previously, changing the position of the LED ceiling required the entire assembly to be lowered, dismantled, relocated and rebuilt. This was a labour-intensive, time-consuming and costly process that reduced the stage’s flexibility between productions.
The objective was therefore not simply to install an LED ceiling, but to completely rethink how it could be supported, positioned and operated.
The Solution
Bespoke Engineering Without Compromise
Rather than adapting a conventional trussing system to fit beneath the existing structure, Cirro Lite designed and constructed a custom heavy-duty truss system engineered to integrate with the building’s lattice beam configuration.
By routing the new structural members through the existing lattice beams, the design made use of the maximum available building height, avoiding the loss of valuable overhead clearance associated with traditional suspended trussing.
This bespoke approach created the foundation for a fully motorised LED ceiling system, incorporating heavy-duty tracks that allow the entire ceiling assembly to travel forwards and backwards across the stage.
In addition to horizontal movement, the system enables the LED ceiling to be raised, lowered and tilted in multiple directions, providing exceptional control over its position and orientation.
The result is a highly adaptable overhead LED installation that can be reconfigured to suit different production requirements without the need for repeated dismantling and reconstruction.
The Result
Greater Flexibility. Less Downtime. More Creative Freedom.
The completed installation has transformed the way Garden Studios can configure its virtual production stage.
What was previously a complex process involving significant manual labour can now be achieved through the integrated motorised system, allowing the LED ceiling to be repositioned and angled to meet the needs of different productions.
Key benefits of the installation:
Maximum studio height – Custom trussing integrated with the existing lattice structure preserves valuable overhead clearance.
Fully repositionable LED ceiling – Heavy-duty tracks enable horizontal movement across the stage.
Motorised height and tilt adjustment – The ceiling can be lowered and angled to suit different shooting configurations.
Reduced turnaround time – Eliminates the need to dismantle and rebuild the LED ceiling for routine repositioning.
Lower operational costs – Significantly reduces the labour associated with reconfiguring the stage.
Greater creative flexibility – Enables the stage to adapt more easily to different sets, camera angles and production requirements.
Engineering Creative Possibilities
The Garden Studios project demonstrates how thoughtful design and bespoke engineering can overcome the limitations of an existing building to deliver a highly capable production environment.
By combining custom structural engineering with an innovative motorised rigging solution, Cirro Lite delivered more than an equipment installation. The project created a flexible, practical and future-ready infrastructure that allows Garden Studios to make better use of its space, streamline operations and offer greater versatility to its production clients.
At Cirro Lite, we believe that the limitations of a space should never define its creative potential.