Existing building has been extended to include second theatre space
Bennetts Associates has completed a 拢30m scheme to turn a theatre in the middle of Hertford into a multi-purpose arts and culture venue.
Renamed Beam, the former Hertford Theatre on the banks of the river Lea includes a 547-seat theatre, three cinema screens and a second theatre space due to open next year. Bennetts Associates collaborated with Citizens Design Bureau on the project, which was brought onto the project as interior designer.
Retaining the shell of the previous venue and its stage and backstage areas, the remodelled complex includes new brick-clad spaces enclosing a covered triangular courtyard, forming the main foyer.
Simon Erridge, Director at Bennetts Associates, said: 鈥淭he completion of BEAM reinforces Hertford鈥檚 growing reputation as a great place to live and visit, with its opening also a timely reminder of the value that comes from investment in cultural infrastructure. The old theatre has been reborn and extended to create an inclusive multi-arts hub which we hope will inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy and participate in the arts.鈥�
The main theatre was a 400-seat flat-floor room with a large retractable seating unit before becoming a 547-seat auditorium with shallow-raked stalls, a balcony and a fully accessible technical grid.
Katy Marks, Director, Citizens Design Bureau, said: 鈥淲e love working with creative organisations to make spaces that are catalysts for collective spirit. It has been a great collaboration with Bennetts 鈥� we took the design from concept to tender stage for the interiors and they have managed everything on site, ensuring miraculously that no element of the design was compromised in any way by value engineering 鈥� magic!鈥�
The facades of the building are clad in locally produced brick to complement the historic buildings in the scheme鈥檚 immediate vicinity.
Others working on the scheme for East Herts District Council included main contractor GPF Lewis, structural engineer Integral Engineering Design, services engineer Max Fordham and cost consultant and employer鈥檚 agent Bristow Consulting.
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