Following an initial masterplanning exercise DPA was commissioned to develop a design for a new performing arts and sixth form centre on an existing campus. The completed building is a compact, space efficient design that includes three dedicated music classrooms with associated practice rooms, a double height performance hall and a large sixth form common room, all of which are naturally ventilated. The building was conceived as four individual performing arts teaching spaces separated by secondary functions with less stringent acoustic requirements. This arrangement isolated the acoustically sensitive accommodation and limited the possibility of sound transference between spaces. The limited area of external wall helps to control noise break out, which would have been disruptive to both adjacent functions in the School, (e.g. teaching rooms, upper school information centre), and the surrounding residential streets. The requirement to achieve high levels of acoustic separation while maintaining adequate ventilation has resulted in the incorporation of highly specific fresh air supply and heating details. The School, conscious of the impact that the new building would have on teachers, pupils, parents and local residents, held an evening presentation by DPA and an exhibition of the design, at which the details of the scheme were discussed prior to proceeding with the development.