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Enhancing acoustic design at BEAM  Hertford Theatre

Architect: Bennets Architects

Categories: Hospitality

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A wide-angle shot of a modern theatre interior with tiered red seating and vertical acoustic panels in a dark finish installed on the walls.

Blending acoustic innovation with cultural regeneration


The project

BEAM is poised to become a vibrant cultural hub for East Hertfordshire, integrating seamlessly into the town’s historical and natural landscape. The development centres around five distinct blocks, which are carefully arranged around the existing ‘malthouse’ fly tower that houses the main theatre space.

 

Nestled in the heart of Hertford, the building’s design visually connects with the River Lea and a nearby medieval castle, while also playing a pivotal role in revitalising the riverside and making it accessible to the public. This project represents a significant investment in the town centre, marrying cultural enrichment with urban regeneration.

An upward-looking shot of a ceiling featuring custom acoustic panels in a yellow tone, paired with red pendant lights in a bar and café setting.

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An image of a café bar area with dark acoustic ceiling panels above, featuring open shelving, pendant lighting, and a counter with snacks and drinks.

Objective

 

The primary goal of the project was to enhance both the acoustics and visual appeal of key areas within BEAM, with a particular focus on the theatre and the bar/café space. To achieve this, Autex Acoustics® products were selected for their versatility in both function and design.

 

Cube™ Panels were applied to the soffit, helping to manage sound while contributing to a clean, modern finish. Meanwhile, Lanes™ were installed on the theatre walls and across the ceiling in the bar/café area, offering effective acoustic control along with a distinctive architectural touch. Together, these solutions helped create a welcoming, acoustically optimised environment that supports the theatre’s cultural mission and elevates the overall visitor experience.

 

Key challenges

 

One of the significant challenges of the project was incorporating functional elements such as services and power switches into the Lanes product. This required precise planning and coordination to ensure that the aesthetic integrity of the design was not compromised. Additionally, the variety of spaces within the building demanded tailored acoustic solutions that addressed the unique needs of each area, while maintaining a cohesive design language.

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A wide shot of a vibrant café area with stools, high tables, and custom acoustic panels in a yellow tone suspended from the ceiling.

Custom Lanes™ in Beehive

A wide shot of a vibrant café area with stools, high tables, and custom acoustic panels in a yellow tone suspended from the ceiling.

Lanes™ in Sargazo

An image showing a red-walled café area with wooden tables and chairs, digital display screens, and dark red acoustic panels on the ceiling.

Custom Lanes™ in Sargazo

A side view of theatre seating with dark blue upholstered chairs and acoustic wall panels in the background.

Lanes™ Peak in Pinnacle

A close-up view of vertically installed acoustic wall panels in a dark tone, showing subtle material texture.

Lanes™ Peak in Empire

Additional info


The solution

A close-up image of red cinema-style seating with dark red acoustic panels installed vertically on the wall behind.

Autex Acoustics delivered customised solutions to meet both the acoustic and aesthetic needs of the project. In the bar/café area, Lanes were installed in the ceiling to help manage sound in what is often a lively, high-traffic space, while their sleek, linear design added refined architectural appeal. In the main theatre, Lanes were also applied to the walls to enhance sound clarity and reduce reverberation, creating a more immersive experience for the audience.

 

Cube Panels were used on the soffit to control sound reflection and introduce a polished, contemporary finish. By combining acoustic performance with thoughtful design, these acoustic solutions not only addressed functional challenges but also contributed to the building’s striking interior.


Value provided

A wide-angle shot of the BEAM theatre entrance featuring illuminated signage, brick walls, a staircase with gold handrail, and digital screens on either side of the main doors.

Bringing the design vision for BEAM to life involved close collaboration and support throughout the project’s lifecycle. A comprehensive design proposal was developed in partnership with architects and designers, ensuring that each solution was tailored to the unique needs of the space. Regular site visits, carried out via Resonics, helped maintain high standards of quality and design during installation. Monthly project meetings kept all stakeholders aligned, allowing for ongoing refinements and adjustments as the project progressed.

 

These efforts resulted in solutions that not only met the functional goals but also elevated the visual and cultural impact of the space, helping to establish BEAM as a standout cultural destination in East Hertfordshire.

Hysterical curly haired 6 year old boy laughing in wheat field.

This is what the future looks like

Using carbon neutral acoustic solutions designed to reduce reverberation and control echo. All our products and global operations are carbon neutral—because nothing is more beautiful than a future we can all be proud of.