PROJECT REPORT: CULTURAL, CIVIC & FAITH BUILDINGS 27


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In the words of the project architect, the many stakeholders behind BEAM had “never had a building that matched the quality of what they do, and how much community work that they are involved in. The client was very, very adamant that we would make sure that this building is going to be for everyone, and everyone feels comfortable there.”


The former Hertford theatre building did not take advantage of the “amazing” riverside setting, says Bogle. A key goal of the project was therefore “to open up that piece of the site and re establish that connection, but also on a biodiversity level, and giving that to the public as well.” The project takes the auditorium capacity from 400 to 550, which “moves you up a band” in terms of the potential touring productions which can be staged at the venue, says Bogle. In addition, there a studio theatre is in progress, with around 150 seats, which will be fitted out later this


ADF JULY/AUGUST 2024


year as one of the final parts of the scheme. On the first floor of the block nearest the river there is a hireable dance studio with a sprung floor, and on the ground floor is a new function room (replacing the former ‘river room’) which can be hired for the various groups which are run at the venue. The site is bounded by a road to the


north, and the tree-lined river running north-south alongside the west flank. The plan extended a small amount into the park space next to the river on the south west edge, but generally it was kept within the confines of the existing footprint. Bennetts employ a collaborative approach to tackling its often complex cultural sector projects, which often have the sensitivities of existing structures to contend with alongside delivering state of the art performance spaces. “It’s about establishing what the client really needs and being able to drill down to that really quickly,” explains Bogle.“I see architecture


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The original ‘malthouse’ fly tower remains, an angular metal-clad structure which refers to the nearby medieval tower


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