Swanmore College is a comprehensive 11 – 16 secondary school, with 1200 pupils on role. To support the growth of the highly successful performing arts faculty the construction of a new Performing Arts building was required to allow for more professional performances to be created and to pinpoint Swanmore College as being a leading provider of arts education. The scheme also included the re-cladding and refurbishment of Block W and refurbishment to a variety of existing classrooms.

The new Performing Arts building takes the form of a steel framed, two storey box, accommodating a double height 120 seat performing arts studio, with a balcony for control equipment. At ground floor is the main lobby with access to a box office/office, disabled WC and electrical plant. The first floor houses the mechanical plant, with external access via a metal stair.

A real feature of the project was the facade to the Performing Arts Block which was perforated and back lit. The building was clad in a treated, through colour cementitious board On three elevations the board was covered with a perforated mesh ‘curtain’. During the day, graphics depicting performers brought the Performing Arts Block to life and by night, the box is able to ‘perform’ with programmable coloured LED lights illuminating three façades.

Refurbishment to the W Block included the re-cladding of all four elevations and some remodelling of the internal spaces to create a larger ICT suite, music practice rooms and technology classroom.

The GeBrik insulated cladding system was adopted in lieu of traditional masonry to W block’s facade. In addition to being quick to install, thereby creating an early weathertight environment installation is less weather sensitive, further reducing programme risk.

We worked with the school to re-programme the works to coordinate with the GCSE timetable and to minimise the impact of the works. Our team took every opportunity to work with the school and pupils to engage them with the construction works. We actively encourage pupils to consider construction as a career of choice and demonstrated the range of career options available.