Music is the cultural pulse of many schools. And for Tintern Grammar, an independent, Anglican day school in Melbourne’s far east, the story was no different. The students’ melodies were alive. But unfortunately, they didn’t have purpose-built spaces to practise, play and progress.
“When compared to most prefabricated space solutions, Harwyn’s classrooms are in another league……. unlike portables, which have a reputation for their poor design and unpleasant learning environment, Harwyn’s spaces are architecturally designed, spacious and comfortable.”
A dire need for state-of-the-art spaces which are built to last
Early last year, Tintern’s business manager, Damien Horman, caught wind that their music teachers had been short on space – teaching students in any available location on campus. This included a harp lesson in a staff lunchroom, which led Damien to investigating the matter further.
Quickly, it became clear. Tintern was extremely short on suitable music rooms.
“The music department never flagged it to me,” says Damien, “But, once I worked out what was going on – that lessons were occurring in a lecture theatre one day, and in a school hall the next – I started looking for a solution.”
Damien wanted a rapid solution to serve their school before the master plan was complete. But the catch? The spaces had to have the look and quality of something permanent.
That’s when Damien remembered Harwyn.
Damien’s space wish list
Temperature control was a key concern for Damien – and the rest of the teaching team.
“We wanted to make sure we could keep the room comfortable… at any time of year,” he says.
Customisation was also a priority. For Damien, it was imperative that the spaces looked and felt like Tintern.
“From the carpet style to the colours to the acoustic panels, we were eager for all elements to feel familiar and complementary to our school’s architecture and aesthetic.”
Luckily, Harwyn delivered on both fronts. From the split-system air conditioning units in all spaces, which provide ideal heating and cooling all year around, to tailoring the rooms to Tintern’s style, Harwyn checked all the boxes on Damien’s wish list.
Four factors that won Damien over
It was the superior quality of Harwyn’s spaces that first stood out to Damien.
“When compared to most prefabricated space solutions, Harwyn’s classrooms are in another league. If staff call them portables, I get highly offended,” Damien shares.
“I correct everyone who uses that word in front of me.”
That’s because, unlike portables, which have a reputation for their poor design and unpleasant learning environment, Harwyn’s spaces are architecturally designed, spacious and comfortable.
But it wasn’t just the quality of these spaces that compelled Damien to choose Harwyn. He’d also received glowing feedback about Harwyn through the school network. And for Damien, this spoke volumes.
“I’d only heard positive things about Harwyn – that they were a fantastic company to work with,” he says.
“The lead time and installation process were also fantastic.”
“We discovered that we could get these spaces onto our campus quickly and have them installed with minimal disruption to our students’ learning… so, as you can imagine, it was an obvious yes from me.”
Now? Staff are claiming them as their own
When teachers first heard about the new spaces arriving, some were hesitant.
However, as soon as the spaces were on campus, these sentiments promptly changed. And now, the Harwyn music rooms are where everyone wants to teach.
“Three staff have now claimed the rooms as their own,” smiles Damien.
“What’s really amazed us is the sound quality of the spaces. The internal acoustics provide the perfect environment for our musicians to practise. And then, on the outside, you can’t hear a thing.”
Plus, for teachers, the high-quality acoustics allow for effortless voice projection to engage classes.
“The students absolutely love learning in them, too. Even those who don’t use them like their appearance.”
A small piece of advice
Two words.
“Don’t hesitate.”
““[These spaces] are a reliable, excellent solution,” says Damien, “I’d contacted Harwyn in mid-January, and they were delivered by April. Exactly on the date they promised.”
“It’s a remarkably quick lead time for a remarkably good product.”