The Duke of Devonshire KCVO, CBE, DL has unveiled the cornerstone of a brand new £2million music school and sixth form centre at Derby High School due to open this autumn, designed by architects at Pick Everard and being built by Derby-based contractor G.F. Tomlinson.
This follows a tradition of stone laying that the Duke’s father began by laying the foundation stone to the current school site in 1956. The Duke became President of the school in 1994.
Practice rooms, a recital room and a recording studio have been included in the new music school while the sixth form centre will have a new common room and teaching accommodation. The building is curved, which deflects noise and creates better acoustic qualities for recital spaces. Rooms are light in this building, with large windows overlooking a bluebell wood. A glazed link joins the new building to the existing school and leads to a dramatic double height gallery and reception foyer. The roofscape has been designed to harmonise with existing eaves and ridge heights and to allow maximum natural light into the gallery and corridors. A new, visible entrance provides a strong focal point for school visitors.
Mature trees with protection orders dominated the site previously so Pick Everard designed the new centre around these, within an overall master plan for the whole of the school site. By changing vehicular access and creating a dedicated delivery area, Pick Everard have made cars on site far less obtrusive, potentially improving pupil safety too.
Paul Rothera, Divisional Director at Pick Everard comments, ”We’ve designed a contemporary, light and airy centre and by looking at the site as a whole have been able to make much better use of all available space. It’s also very satisfying to see staff and pupils getting so excited about their new facilities.”
Michael Beardsley, Chair of Derby High School’s building committee comments, “The scheme is really taking shape now and I am delighted with the support that the Pick Everard team is delivering, right through from initial design to project monitoring.”
Tue 23rd Feb 2010
