In a surprising behind-the-scenes revelation, Men In Black production designer Bo Welch has disclosed that the film’s iconic headquarters set — a gleaming sci-fi wonder of the late 1990s — could never be recreated today. The reason? Toxic materials used during its construction would violate modern safety standards.
This revelation, originally shared in a 2022 Inverse interview, offers new insight into the high-risk craftsmanship behind Barry Sonnenfeld’s Men In Black, one of the decade’s defining blockbusters.
The Design Behind the Legendary Set
Released in 1997, Men In Black redefined sci-fi comedy with its secret agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) operating from a massive, chrome-filled headquarters resembling a futuristic airport terminal.
Bo Welch, the film’s production designer — previously known for his work on Tim Burton films — designed the HQ as a retro-futurist homage to 1960s architecture. Inspired by Eero Saarinen’s terminal at JFK Airport, the set featured towering fiberglass columns polished to a mirror-like chrome finish.
However, Welch admitted that achieving that look came at a cost: “We sprayed horribly toxic metallic material onto the fiberglass columns before grinding and buffing it to perfection.”
Toxic Chrome Finish Made The Set Dangerous
According to Welch and art director Thomas Duffield, the chrome finishing process used on the Men In Black headquarters is now banned in Hollywood production design due to its health hazards.
Duffield confirmed that the 35-foot chrome columns, though visually stunning, were coated with substances that would be deemed unsafe today. “That technique is hazardous and no one can do it anymore,” he said.
The use of fiberglass, foam, and heavy metallic coatings created unsafe working conditions for crew members — a practice that modern film safety standards no longer allow.
Impact on Film Design and Legacy
The revelation sheds light on the evolution of film set design. While Men In Black was nominated for an Academy Award for its art direction, Welch lost to Titanic that year.
Still, his innovative but risky methods helped establish a visual identity that became synonymous with the Men In Black franchise — blending 1960s retro-futurism with sleek alien aesthetics.
Today, filmmakers use safer digital methods or non-toxic materials to achieve similar chrome effects without endangering production crews.
What’s Next for Men In Black Legacy
Though the original Men In Black set could never be rebuilt using the same techniques, the franchise continues to influence sci-fi worldbuilding.
Welch, who most recently worked on Apple TV’s Schmigadoon! Season 2, earned an Emmy nomination for his design work — proof that his creative vision remains as strong as ever, even under modern safety constraints.
With renewed fan interest and rumors of another Men In Black revival, Hollywood may once again pay tribute to Welch’s pioneering, if perilous, design style — this time with safer, sustainable techniques.
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