KBS Maritime has successfully completed a facility design and refurbishment project for The Alford Schools of Military Music. The project delivers a sustainable and fit for purpose facility to support the training of hundreds of world-class military musicians for the Corps of Army Music and Royal Marines Band Service.
The new and upgraded facility was visited and opened by HRH The Princess Royal, the Naval Base Commander and the Head of the Alford Schools of Music and the musicians on the 23rd November 2023.
KBS Maritime partnered with Concept Building Services (Southern) for the construction elements and have been supported by numerous specialist suppliers throughout the 34 months project.
The project, commencing with the design element in March 2021, was focused on preserving the historical significance of the buildings whilst incorporating design elements which support the Royal Navy’s Net Zero aspirations.
James Davis, Managing Director, KBS Maritime said, “The Alford Schools of Military Music is one of the first major projects completed by KBS Maritime since we won the Future Maritime Support Programme. The project brings together both the wonderful heritage and historical importance of the Portsmouth estate and creating an environment which supports the future needs of the Royal Navy”.
Gibraltar Block is one of the Grade II listed buildings within the scope of the project, and formerly used as Detention Quarters (DQ’s) until 1992. The 96 former quarters (cells) have been transformed into individual practice and training facilities for the hundreds of Military Music personnel when visiting the Schools. Gibraltar Block, dating back to 1834, has had significant work undertaken to the structure of the Southwest Wall since initial repairs were carried-out following WWII bombing, the recent works have seen the majority of the wall deconstructed and rebuilt in-line with English Heritage standards and expectations.
Throughout the facility, there has been an entirely new electrical installation to provide an energy efficient solution using LED lighting, as well as new, efficient and optimised heating and cooling systems, to support the aspirations for the estate to become closer to NetZero Carbon by 2030.
The Alford Schools of Military Music is based within HMS Nelson, HMNB Portsmouth and spreads across ten separate buildings. The schools have been conjoined since August 2021, when The Royal Military School of Music joined The Royal Marines School of Music at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth.
