BEAM, Hertford

East Hertfordshire, Eastern

BEAM is a transformation of the former Hertford Theatre into an all-day cultural hub that renews a much-loved community asset. Set within Hertford’s picturesque riverside setting, the project responds to a loyal local audience and changing demographics with a clear civic ambition to provide a larger, more flexible cultural offer capable of serving diverse audiences and events, while securing culture at the heart of the town’s everyday life.

By combining a 550-seat theatre with a state of the art three screen cinema and multiple hireable spaces to support both cultural and commercial value, the design response is notable for how it handles this scale without overwhelming its context. The project centred on demolishing the existing front of house spaces while retaining the auditorium and fly tower, which were remodelled internally. Around this retained core, the new programme is arranged as a cluster of five crafted blocks with sloping roofs, a composition that allows a relatively large building to sit comfortably within Hertford’s close-knit grain. The use of red brick directly references the predominant local material, grounding the building in its setting while still presenting a contemporary sculptural presence. A hybrid CLT and concrete structure supports the new build extensions, reinforcing both architectural clarity and long-term durability.

At the heart of the scheme is a triangular internal courtyard framed by the five contiguous blocks and the retained auditorium. It acts as a key orientation space and a robust circulation heart that can withstand the high footfall patterns that define performance venues. Internally, layered colour gives each block an individual identity while maintaining a connected whole, creating warmth and softness in contrast to the courtyard’s polished concrete and brick, which heightens the sense of an “external” public space within.

The performance spaces have been fundamentally renewed. The main auditorium has been transformed from an end on bleacher arrangement in an exposed brick civic hall into a fixed rake and faceted balcony, creating a more dedicated theatre environment. A new 150 seat studio adds further flexibility, supporting a wide range of programming and commercial opportunities.

The building now operates as an all-electric venue, with highly efficient air source heat pumps introduced. Demolition was kept to a minimum, and the project has been selected as a pilot for the developing Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, helping to define what a net zero carbon theatre could look like. 

Level access around the perimeter ties into new landscaping and a boardwalk along the River Lea, re engaging people with the riverside setting. Internally, step free routes extend into back of house and stage level, supported by a dedicated accessible dressing room. Three lifts increase access capability, and increased toilet provision includes a Changing Places facility, the first in the town. Wheelchair provisions are included across performance spaces, including the balcony level in the main auditorium, with positions on both sides to offer choice and preserve quality of sightlines. Wayfinding is reinforced through legibility, an internal courtyard meeting point, and a variety of furniture settings that support different needs and social groupings.

The project’s community impact is underpinned by sustained engagement and a clear belief that BEAM should be more than a theatre. With its all-day café and bar, varied programme spanning theatre, music, film and community events, and new riverside connections that also acknowledge the adjacent historic Norman motte, BEAM operates as a shared civic room for Hertford.