Music Building
Design
We decided that the main concert and rehearsal space would be this beautiful barrel-vaulted room, rather than a pitched roof, which gives the building its own identity in amongst the surrounding Grade II listed buildings – it neatly marries the traditional with the contemporary and future requirements of the college. Light was important, so we designed to allow natural light in abundance here. But the main thing is the versatility of the music rooms – from the recital hall to the teaching rooms, which can adapt acoustically so that everything sounds great.
“We’ve been so impressed with Jefferson Sheard, it was really a no-brainer. They spent so much time, asked so many questions, so we got exactly the building we wanted.”
David Elstone, Headteacher, Hymers College
Build
To make the building technically sustainable, we used energy efficient heating and lighting throughout, with intelligent controls, overnight cooling, natural ventilation and photovoltaic solar panels to offset CO2 emissions. The main challenge has been that need for adaptability – so acoustics, layout, the ‘performance’ of a space was key. There’s a special feature that I really love – the client wanted music to be audible in the corridors, so wherever you go you can hear these great sounds, but inside the teaching rooms, there’s no sound pollution from any adjacent space.
“It’s fantastic to see a school invest so much into creating a wonderful environment where pupils can be inspired and share their music. It was in the music rooms at my school that I discovered what I wanted to do with my life and I have no doubt that there will be students who discover themselves, their heart’s desire, in this new music centre.”
Dr. John Rutter CBE, Hymers College Patron
In-use
The finished build has transformed the way the music department works. The versatility of space means that the range of musical talent they can support is almost limitless, there are new state-of-the-art recording studios and the central space is adaptable enough to accommodate everything from a full orchestra to a small choral rehearsal. We’re told the pupils love performing there, which is brilliant to hear.