The Soundhouse, the first building on the university’s Jessop site, provides rehearsal and recording facilities for music students. was constructed by Kier, was conceptually designed by Carey Jones architects and delivered by Jefferson Sheard Architects, the Soundhouse is the latest in a series of university developments in the Portobello area of the city centre. These include a new building on the vacant west corner of the old Jessop Hospital for Women site, which will house English, history and language departments, and also the refurbished Victoria Wing of the old hospital, which will house the department of music.

The Soundhouse at Sheffield University is the UK’s first rubber-clad venue. The rubber membrane was placed under tension similar to the skin on a drum, fixed and then decorated with 100mm diameter stainless steel studs. These studs were adjustable and could be screwed back to the reinforcing plates behind the insulation and rubber quilt, thus compressing the insulation and creating the quilted effect.

Covering 450m2, the building’s unique black cube structure is set to become a landmark on the university campus, with the bold and simple design reflecting the existing inventiveness of the Portobello area.

Mike Harris, director at Carey Jones architects, said the overall aesthetic of the black rubber quilt was intended as “a literal translation of the need to acoustically contain the building’s use contained within.”

Professor Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said the new addition would allow students to “nurture and develop their passion for music in a modern and creative environment.”

Prof Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor of Sheffield University, said: “The unique state-of-the-art Soundhouse is an innovative addition to the campus and will allow our students to nurture and develop their passion for music in a modern and creative environment.”

The pioneering “music box” design creates he said, “a stunning piece of architecture that sits well as part of the dynamic urban fabric, respecting important existing and new buildings in the surrounding area.”

Tom Rhys Jones, managing director of Jefferson Sheard architects, said: “From the outset this project was always going to be technically challenging as it was highly innovative in terms of both the cladding and internal fit out.”

Simon Keefe, head of the department of music, said he was “delighted” with the new facilities.

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