Constellations delivers high-quality studio spaces for education environments

From world-class recording studios and rehearsal spaces, endorsed by the legendary Jools Holland, to modern collaborative teaching spaces loved by students, our team deliver a variety of creative learning environments.

Part of Confetti Media Group and Nottingham Trent University, Constellations has over 15 years’ first-hand experience in understanding how learners and educators flourish when immersed in inspiring spaces. During this time, we’ve worked with countless academies, schools, colleges and universities on a range of high-quality studio spaces endorsed by industry and students alike.

Industry-endorsed recording studios:

Our team worked alongside world-renowned audio architects White Mark Ltd – who have designed studios for clients including Jay-Z and Damon Albarn – to build state of the art facilities for Nottingham’s Metronome, a 400 capacity national centre for music, moving image, video games, live performances and spoken word.

In addition, the venue regularly hosts shows for Just the Tonic Comedy Club, BBC Music Introducing and stellar acts like Jake Bugg, Sigma and Elvis Costello – Metronome is also a vital part of Confetti Institute Of Creative Technologies  campus.

Nestled in the city’s vibrant creative quarter, the unrivalled facilities include 20 rehearsal spaces, and 10 recording, editing and mastering studios, all of which are used as teaching spaces for Confetti’s college and degree-level students, studying on courses like Music Performance, Music Production and Sound Engineering.

Our team designed, manufactured and installed sound proofing and bespoke furniture to house the technical equipment in the studios and rehearsal rooms. We also designed and manufactured the seating and storage concepts with carefully selected fabrics and finishes, helping to make best use of the space, and to facilitate collaboration and teaching.

Working closely with acoustic architects from White Mark Ltd. we developed a bespoke design that was both functional and aesthetically sympathetic to the space. The manufacturing process was completed with sustainability in mind, along with our parent company Confetti Media Group and Nottingham Trent University – one of the most sustainable universities in the world – Constellations is ISO 14001 accredited and has committed to achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions across all three carbon scopes by 2040.

Metronome has been dubbed an educational centre of ‘European Significance’, and has received admiration from VIP industry guests, here’s just a few things they have had to say:

“I am honestly amazed at the mind bogglingly brilliant facilities you have here. The studios I have seen are better than any I have seen anywhere.  And the students I met were so engaged because they love what they do. They have such great opportunities. I haven’t seen anything like this before and I am sure this place will soon be on the global map.” – Jools Holland, Pianist, Bandleader, Singer, Composer and BBC Television Presenter

 “I was blown away by the campus and the facilities. The opportunities Confetti are giving their students will hopefully benefit the music and the entertainment business of the future.” – Nick Raphael, UK President at Capitol Records

“The facilities at Confetti are excellent and it’s a great place to learn. We recorded a 1Xtra show here earlier this year and were very impressed with the new studio. It was great for both MCs and bands.” – Andy Rogers, Senior Producer at BBC Radio 1

Student-endorsed studio spaces:

Our team has built up a great rapport with teams at NTU through the years and we’ve worked together on many projects, including their RIBA award-winning Lyth building and University Hall developments.  The team has also made a huge impact on the way the University delivers teaching for its Fashion Management, Marketing and Communication courses, based in the  Barnes Wallis building on the City Campus.

The fashion business courses at NTU are some of the most highly regarded and popular in the UK. In order to help maintain their competitiveness and level of student satisfaction, we were commissioned to renovate their facilities with a new dynamic and creative hub. In addition to teaching spaces, the client also requested a redesign of their office space to support the team to work more creatively, flexibly and collaboratively.

The brief included the design, manufacture and installation of modern studio spaces that reflect industry. As part of the job, we worked with the client and architects on a strategy for the space that would best allow for collaboration, independent learning and student exhibitions. The deliverables included new modern, stylish interiors installed throughout, designed to offer flexible working environment that evolve with education and teaching practice.

NTU’s School of Art & Design were delighted with the renovation of their facilities, particularly the considered use of spaces which has allowed the courses to develop their own identity and community of creative minds. Head of Department, Melanie Robertson said:

“Having the space and flexibility to change our teaching methods is key, and the bespoke interior created by Constellations allows us to do just that. From collaborative group work and independent learning to presentations and immersive media activities, these spaces provide a unique learning environment for our students, both now and in the future.”

Speaking on the improvements to her departmental team office, Melanie added:

“The space has encouraged the team to spend more time on campus – the space has been zoned for different activities and barriers removed to open up the space to create a more communal feel.  We have hot-desking spaces, quiet zones and large tables with movable white boards for creative team activities. It’s a great hub where people can work alongside each other, share ideas and feel part of something bigger.”

It’s not just our client singing our praises, NTU’s students have also championed their new modern, collaborative workspaces:

“I really love the design and feel of the new Barnes Wallis building. It’s great as we regularly work in groups so it is really helpful to have our own space to use.” – Emily Hutchin BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Branding

“It’s great to have a building dedicated to FMMC students – it has many Macs that are available to use as well as collaborative spaces that are useful for group work.” –  Charlotte Saunders BA (Hons) Fashion

“I really love the Barnes Wallis building, which is where International Fashion Business and all other Fashion, Marketing, Management and Communication courses are housed. The area has recently been revamped and there is a really nice sense of community and professionalism there. NTU has a really nice community as a whole – it’s like a family.” – Tamsin Johnson, BA (Hons) International Fashion Business

Since the renovation project, student satisfaction on these courses has only increased, with learners praising access to course-specific resources in the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS), including equipment, software, collections, and facilities:

• BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Branding – 95% satisfaction
• BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and Promotion – 80% satisfaction
• BA (Hons) Fashion Management FT – 97% – SW – 93% satisfaction
• FdA Music Performance FT – 89% satisfaction
• BA (Hons) Music Performance FT – 85% satisfaction

In September 2022, Constellations was delighted to return to the Barnes Wallis building to meet with Mel and course leaders to discuss further adaptations.