WATCH: Student project sees Somers Town underpass turned into musical hub

Year 8 pupils at Priory School, in Southsea, worked alongside students from the University of Portsmouth to build a Sound Garden.

The project, led by university researcher Guido Robarzzo, saw the two teams work together to build a wooden frame full of musical instruments from recycled material.

Yesterday, teachers and Year 8 pupils gathered to officially open the garden.

Guido, from the school of architecture, said: ‘This was part of a research project into temporary use of public space and turning neglected areas of the city into something vibrant.

‘The kids have done a great job and we are really pleased with how the Sound Garden has turned out.’

Ten students from Priory School, on Fawcett Road, have spent the week at the underpass near the roundabout leading to Victoria Road North and Holbrook Road.

They used saws to put the frame together, drilled holes and attached the musical instruments.

Hollie Eeles and Scarlet Jones were two of the students who helped with the project.

Scarlet, 12, said: ‘It has been really good building the frame and drilling too.

‘But it was also nice meeting everyone too. It is a very good idea.’

Thirteen-year-old Hollie agreed. She said: ‘It has been really fun and I liked sawing the wood and screwing it together. This is a great idea and I liked getting involved.’

Dan Barrow, head of the expressive arts faculty at the school, helped unveil the Sound Garden and played music with the students.

He said: ‘This is fantastic blend of design, architecture and music.

‘Somers Town is one of the most deprived areas so to have this here for anyone to use is incredible.’

The structure will be in place for around six months and was jointly funded by Portsmouth City Council. It is the second structure Guido has completed as part of his research with the heart on Guildhall Walk the first.