The Russell Music Centre replaced an existing building that was no longer appropriate for educational use and will consequently enable the former music building to be redeveloped.
The building greatly improves the teaching facilities for Music and Music Technology and includes practice and band rehearsal rooms, chamber and ensemble rooms, specialist music classrooms plus a recording suite fully equipped studio, two live recording rooms and vocal booth.
A recital room includes programmable lighting and PA system linked to a first floor control room and also to the recording studio to enable performances to be recorded. It provides a music performance and rehearsal space for various types of music such as piano recitals, string quartets, jazz and rock bands plus full orchestra rehearsal. The recital room can also be used for other departments and college presentations as it includes retractable seating, projector and screen. The external windows all contain electric blackout blinds to enable the room to become a black box if required. Internally the recital room walls are clad in timber slats, some with insulation behind and some with open voids which together with the numerous curtains and blinds, can adapt the acoustics to suit the variety of music styles that it accommodates.
The external materials respond to the location by using warm red and dark brick in Flemish bond, similar to the adjacent Varley Theatre and the neighbouring houses. Chamfered and projecting faces to areas of brickwork adds texture to the walls around the recital room by creating varying shadows through the day. A metal roof creates the impression of a pitched roof whilst hiding the mechanical plant and the roadside elevation incorporates two gables to mimic the adjacent house. The recording studio extends above the main entrance forming a canopy is picked out with cladding that responds to the copper roof adjacent.
The site is bounded by mature trees on three sides, all of which were retained. The soft landscaping incorporated native species planting and wildflower grasses, with external seating areas provided for students and staff. Bird and bat boxes, hedgehog houses and invertebrate hotels and log piles all provide biodiversity enhancement. Additionally, the hardstanding around the building is reduced from the former buildings and areas of planting increased.
The roof incorporates an extensive photovoltaic array and the building is anticipated to achieve an Excellent BREEAM rating.