BEAM Theatre

BEAM is a major redevelopment of Hertford’s former theatre, creating a vibrant arts and culture venue that brings together performance, cinema, learning and community spaces within a striking new civic building.  It is a vibrant, multi-purpose arts and culture destination, creating a landmark civic building that brings together performance, film, learning and community under one roof.  Located in the heart of the historic town centre alongside the River Lea, the redevelopment has given new life to a much-loved venue while establishing a welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike.

fabrik was proud to lead the landscape design for the project, working with the design team from the successful architectural competition through to completion. The landscape strategy sought to maximise the building’s unique riverside setting, strengthening its relationship with the River Lea while enhancing the adjacent Mill Bridge Park. Improvements to the public realm and surrounding routes have also created better connections between the theatre, town centre and the historic Castle Gardens, making the site more accessible and better integrated into the wider urban landscape.

The external spaces have been designed as a natural extension of the building. High-quality paving, generous planting and carefully integrated seating create a welcoming public realm that supports everyday use while accommodating the theatre’s varied programme of performances, events and community activities. The landscape brings new life to the riverside, encouraging people to linger, meet and enjoy the setting throughout the day and into the evening.

Sustainability and longevity were central to the design approach. Robust, durable materials have been combined with climate-resilient planting and carefully considered detailing to create an attractive landscape that will continue to mature over time while remaining practical and easy to maintain.

Since opening in 2024, BEAM has received widespread recognition for its architectural quality, sustainability and contribution to civic life. The project has been awarded the RIBA East Award 2026 and the RIBA East Sustainability Award 2026, recognising the exemplary transformation of the former theatre alongside a highly sustainable new extension. It also received the Brick Award 2025 in the Public Building category, was Highly Commended at the 2026 Civic Trust Awards, and won the UK Theatre Award for Excellence in Sustainability, celebrating its environmental performance and positive impact on the community.

The completed development demonstrates the important role landscape architecture can play in the regeneration of civic buildings. By creating welcoming, accessible and characterful public spaces that reconnect the theatre with its riverside setting and surrounding townscape, fabrik has helped establish BEAM as one of the UK’s leading cultural destinations and a lasting asset for Hertford and the wider region.