This project saw the internal refurbishment and restoration of the first floor of St. Anthony’s Convent at Leweston School in order to convert a series of tired dormitories into a new Music School.

This important 18th century Palladian building was substantially remodelled in the Art Decco style in 1929 by architect Maxwell Ayrton. During the mid an latter parts of the 20th century the building had seen a series of unsympathetic alterations and additions.

Our proposal saw the removal of these later additions to restore the plan of the building to it’s 1929 arrangement. Oak flooring that had been covered with carpets for years have been restored, fireplaces have been opened and partitioning has been removed.

The music school includes a ensemble room for performances, new classrooms, an oak clad recording studio and a suite of practice rooms.

New building services have been discretely provided throughout in order to provide 21st century teaching facilities within the setting of this 18th century building.

Studio Lime Architects provide architectural and project management services, managing all necessary approvals with Historic England and the local Authority and overseeing the construction work.

Client: Leweston School

Main Contractor: K&B Builders Ltd.

Architecture and Project Management: Studio Lime Ltd.

Building Services Engineer: Smith Consult Ltd.

Completed: 2019

Photographs: Rebecca Noakes Photography