Hymers College have engaged RIBA Chartered practice Jefferson Sheard Architects to design the new facilities, which include a vaulted roof to complement the surrounding buildings, as well as practice rooms, locker space in the circulation areas and an upper floor recital hall which will accommodate a full orchestra set up.

Jefferson Sheard Director Tom Rhys Jones said, “we are proud to be working for one of the highest achieving schools in the North of England to provide inspirational new facilities for the teachers and pupils who work there”.

The £1.6 million scheme will reflect the traditional values of the school while providing state-of-the-art facilities. The design is part of a Masterplan that will update the school’s buildings to provide teaching and learning accommodation fit to serve the students of the 21st century and beyond.

The building has been designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating energy efficient heating and lighting systems with ‘intelligent’ controls; overnight cooling and natural ventilation. The Music building will also make use of photovoltaic solar panels which have recently been installed on the roof of the adjacent leisure centre, helping to offset CO2 emissions.

Mr David Elstone, Headmaster at Hymers College, commented, “I am so excited to see this building taking shape. Music is a very important activity at Hymers with over 350 pupils learning musical instruments and I know how much they are looking forward to making music in this state of the art facility”.

Construction work will begin on site in July 2013 with the works due to be completed by April 2014.