Horbury architects design ‘imaginative’ park bandstand
Our Horbury architects have submitted plans for a unique project creating a contemporary community bandstand in a local park.
Drawing on the area’s rich coal mining heritage and the work of Wakefield sculptor Barbara Hepworth, we are helping bring this exciting initiative to life.
Why our Horbury architects got involved
In 2025, Studio J entered a design competition to create a bandstand for Carr Lodge Park in Horbury.
The community has waited decades for this facility. Remarkably, the outstanding Horbury Victoria Band has existed since the 1860s without a home bandstand! And there has been talk of creating one in the park since the 1950s.
Our design is an alternative to traditional bandstands and includes:
- A distinctive cube structure with clean lines, framing a hollowed central performance space
- A modern open pavilion that pays tribute to the minimalist approach of Barbara Hepworth
- Smaller blocks scattered across the grass to provide informal seating
- Roof-mounted solar panels to power integrated lighting
- A glazed finish transforming the appearance of coal into shimmering, jewel-like surfaces
- A 3–6m height that sits comfortably within the park setting
- Low-maintenance and robust materials
- Step-free ramped access to ensure full accessibility
And we are thrilled that our design triumphed in the competition! As architects in Yorkshire, we wanted to embrace and pay tribute to the area’s local heritage.
Since then, we’ve worked closely with the Friends of Horbury Park, Victoria Brass Band and local councillors.
Submitting the plans to Wakefield Council marks a major milestone in the project.
What will this modern park bandstand be used for?
As architects in Yorkshire, we’re excited to see the first brass band performance take place inside the new structure.
However, the bandstand will also serve as a much-needed flexible space for the whole neighbourhood.
We expect schools and community groups to use it for performances and local events as well as wider cultural activity.
Additionally, local fundraising, private grants and volunteer support are driving this project forward for the wider benefit of the community. But first of all, we need to secure planning permission to deliver the scheme.
Support for the design by our Horbury architects
Earlier this spring, we submitted the plans to Wakefield Council. At this stage, we’ve already had the support of Horbury Civic Society.
Their comments on our application praise the ‘imaginative and architecturally ambitious’ scheme.
The submission adds:
“The quality of detailing, materials and overall composition is of a standard rarely seen in community-led projects.
“Importantly, the scheme also aligns with current planning priorities around sustainability and design quality.
“This proposal is exactly the kind of high-quality placemaking investment that should be encouraged.
“We urge our town planners and planning committee members to approve this important and inspiring scheme.”
So, what happens next?
We’re all hopeful that the planning process will be complete, and permission will be granted by the summer. If approved, construction should be able to begin later in 2026.
Once completed, Carr Lodge Park in Horbury will finally have the bandstand it deserves.
Community architecture that truly stands out
Much of our work as Wakefield architects involves extensions, new build properties, modern barn conversions and commercial projects in Leeds, Yorkshire and beyond.
However, community architecture remains central to our practice.
This kind of project allows our team to blend bold creativity with local identity, designing lasting public facilities that genuinely serve the community.
If you’ve got a community project in mind, we would be happy to explore it with you.
