Making Space for Music at Caulfield Grammar School
At Caulfield Grammar School’s Wheelers Hill campus, a rapidly growing music program created a challenge familiar to many schools.
Demand for instrumental lessons was outpacing the availability of suitable teaching spaces.
Music plays a defining role in school life at Caulfield Grammar. Students engage in music from Prep through to Year 12, and participation continues to grow across instrumental learning, ensembles and performance.
But with that success came pressure.
Timetables became increasingly complex. Teaching spaces were stretched. And the day-to-day delivery of the program was becoming harder to sustain.
Project Snapshot
- 3 purpose-built music pods
- Installed at Caulfield Grammar School – Wheelers Hill
- Delivered in a single day during school holidays
- Acoustically treated spaces for instrumental tuition
- Now known as the Nick Mulder Music Precinct
Video — Hear from Sharon Meehan, Director of Music, and Simon Brown, Head of Brass
A Growing Program Under Pressure
Caulfield Grammar is a large, multi-campus school with more than 3,000 students.
Students begin instrumental learning from Year 2, join band programs from Year 5, and every Year 7 student learns an instrument. This is supported by a broad ensemble program including orchestras, concert bands, jazz bands, choirs and touring groups.
As demand increased, instrumental lessons quickly outpaced available facilities.
Teachers adapted where they could, using shared and repurposed spaces, but these were often inefficient for one-on-one or small-group tuition. Larger classrooms existed, but they were not designed for this kind of learning.
“The growth that we had in students wanting to learn instruments really became a challenge, because we found it difficult to be able to fit everybody into our busy timetable.”
— Sharon Meehan, Director of Music
Waiting lists grew, timetables stretched, and it became clear the program needed a more sustainable solution.
Designing Spaces That Work for Music
Through professional networks, site visits and conversations with other Directors of Music, a clear direction emerged: dedicated spaces designed specifically for instrumental tuition.
Working with Harwyn, the school introduced three purpose-built music pods — compact, acoustically treated learning spaces designed to support focused teaching and learning.
The pods were positioned in a central campus location directly opposite the main staff room.
That placement was deliberate.
Rather than being tucked away, the pods were integrated into the daily life of the school, reinforcing the visibility and importance of music within the broader campus.
Purpose and Legacy: The Nick Mulder Music Precinct
Before installation progressed, the school community experienced the loss of Nick Mulder — a much-loved staff member, former student, parent, accomplished jazz musician and passionate advocate for music education.
In response, the parent community rallied behind the project and helped ensure it could proceed.
The pods were dedicated as the Nick Mulder Music Precinct, transforming a practical infrastructure solution into something far more meaningful.
An abstract sculptural artwork incorporating trombone elements, donated by Nick’s friends, now sits beside the pods and anchors his creative legacy within the heart of the campus.
Delivered With Minimal Disruption
For busy schools, the delivery process matters as much as the building itself.
Harwyn manufactured the pods off-site and installed them in a single day during school holidays.
That meant no prolonged construction activity, no disruption to teaching and learning, and no impact on the normal rhythm of the campus.
For Business Managers and school leaders, that operational simplicity is a major part of the value.
Immediate Impact for Teachers and Students
The impact was immediate.
The pods are now used continuously throughout the day, providing efficient, fit-for-purpose spaces that support focused instrumental learning.
Acoustically, the spaces perform exceptionally well. Even louder instruments can be taught comfortably, with strong internal sound quality and minimal disruption to surrounding areas.
Lighting, temperature control and interior finishes create a comfortable and professional environment for both students and staff.
What began as a response to pressure on timetabling has become a meaningful improvement in the day-to-day delivery of music across the campus.
Putting Music at the Heart of the Campus
The new precinct has helped Caulfield Grammar strengthen a flagship program, support staff and students more effectively, and honour a respected member of the school community.
It is a reminder that the right building solution does more than solve a space problem. It can reinforce values, support culture and help shape the student experience every day.
If your school is facing similar pressure around music spaces, get in touch with Harwyn to discuss how purpose-built modular learning spaces can support your campus.