The Yehudi Menhuin School Cobham

The Yehudi Menuhin School, founded in 1963 by the world famous violinist and conductor, provides the environment and tuition for musically gifted children from all over the world to pursue their love of music, develop their musical potential, and achieve the highest level of performance on stringed instruments and piano.  Pupils are aged between 8 and 19 years and are mainly boarders.

Following the identification of live services for diversion and the demolition of the stables in readiness for construction of the music studio, work commenced on an extension and alteration to the existing Harris House building to provide a further eight study bedrooms and Housemaster’s flat.  Construction is traditional with brickwork and cedar cladding, and a link roofed in zinc with a standing seam to match adjacent buildings.

The main works comprised a new single storey music studio building providing 12 new practice rooms, a library, office space, instrument storage and ancillary accommodation.  The internal walls are formed in concrete block work and finished in GypLyner plasterboard, traditional plastering and Parklex timber cladding to provide optimum acoustic conditions.  A mix of underfloor heating and wall radiators provides an even and stable environment for students and instruments.  External walls are of traditional brickwork with stone window surrounds, Proteus copper cladding and Parklex timber cladding.  The roof is plywood deck with insulation and waterproof Kemper membrane, completed with a sedum green roof.

External works, undertaken by the Company’s in-house groundworks and civil engineering department include extensive drainage works, new access road and car parking, hard and soft landscaping, and an amphitheatre with stone seating.