Beard starts new Music and ICT block at Pangbourne College

Students and staff at Pangbourne College in Berkshire celebrate as work starts on a brand new Music School and ICT Facility. The £1.5 million project, due to be completed in January 2012, will provide the college with a range of up-to-date and flexible facilties including music teaching and practice rooms, instrument stores, recording studios, a recital hall and ICT teaching areas.

The contemporary two-storey building will have natural external finishes including larch and raw aluminium and has been designed with very high acoustic properties. The building also has high sustainability goals in which Beard has wide experience. Key to this is the development of a practical waste management plan to ensure the maximum re-use and recycling of construction materials.

Thomas Garnier, Headmaster said: "Beard were chosen for the quality of their work and for their reputation. From the outset we have been impressed by their willingness to listen and their emphasis on good working relationships."

"The new Music School and ICT building will provide students at the college with vastly improved facilities and I expect this to have a direct impact on the quality of their communication and performance skills, and their confidence."

Working at the heart of a busy school environment requires a keen focus on helath and safety for students, staff and visitors, and daily communication with the school to minimise disruption especially during quiet periods and examinations. Already the works have been enclosed within solid screening, to reduce both visual and noise impact, and to physically separate the construction from college activities.