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After successfully installing our demountable partition systems for previous television projects, Applied Workplace was approached in summer 2024 by an art director working on a new set design for the long-running BBC drama Silent Witness.
The brief was anything but standard. The production team required a highly adaptable partitioning solution that could deliver both visual impact – essential for the screen – and practical functionality within a challenging studio environment. So, over to us!
The Challenge: Flexible, Freestanding Partitional Walls for a Complex Set
The new set design featured a combination of industrial-style architecture, curved ceilings, and areas with significant ceiling height. This ruled out traditional floor-to-ceiling partition systems, as fixing into the ceiling simply wasn’t possible.
Instead, the solution needed to be fully freestanding, bespoke partition walls that were:
- Structurally sound without ceiling support
- Visually aligned with the industrial aesthetic
- Flexible enough to evolve with future filming requirements
What’s more, the production team required a mix of spaces. As anyone who’s ever watched the series knows, the on-screen sets for Silent Witness include mortuary rooms, viewing galleries, and science labs – each with its own functional and visual demands. Add to this the need for custom backstage changing rooms, and the scale of the challenge spoke for itself!
The Solution: Bespoke Glass Partitions & Custom Sliding Door Systems
Working closely with the production designers on-site in London, our team developed a tailored concept based on the provided layouts.
At the core of the solution was a bespoke structural steel framework, designed to support a fully modular system of custom glass partitions without relying on ceiling fixings. The framework was finished in distinctive Peacock Blue, completing the overall set design.
The installation, completed in November 2025 at the Birmingham studio, included:
- Bespoke glass partitions across multiple set areas
- Custom sliding glass doors and hinged door systems for flexible access
- Freestanding partition walls designed for high and irregular ceiling spaces
- Integrated suspended ceilings within selected areas
- Open, ceiling-free structures for the science labs
To finish the project off, the team also installed switchable smart glass partitions within the changing rooms, allowing the glass to transition from opaque to clear at the touch of a button.
A Flexible System for Ongoing Production
One of the key advantages of the system was its modular design. Unlike traditional partitioning, these flexible partitions can be easily adapted as production needs change.
Following the filming of series 29, we returned to the set to install an additional door within an existing fixed screen – a modification made possible without major disruption, and good to go for series 30.
The Result: A High-Performance Set Solution for a Leading BBC Production
The feedback from the production team has been extremely positive, with the set debuting in the most recent series of Silent Witness.
We’re especially delighted to see the results on the screen and are confident the project highlights our ability to go beyond standard systems. Scroll through the photos to see the end finish – or catch series 29 of Silent Witness on BBC iPlayer!
Looking for Bespoke Partition Solutions?
Whether you’re designing a workspace, studio, or specialist environment, we can deliver fully customised solutions built around your exact requirements. Request a free partition wall quote or get in touch directly if you’re looking for a bespoke project.
