Citizens Design Bureau has designed the interiors of BEAM Hertford, a new cultural venue in Hertford, England.

Hertford Theatre was built in the 1970s, between the site of a medieval castle and a bend in the River Lea.

"Prior to the redevelopment, it looked tired and municipal," said Citizens Design Bureau.

After winning a competition to design the interiors as part of a significant rebuild, Citizens Design Bureau created what has quickly established itself as a cultural focal point for the town at BEAM, including two theatres, three cinemas, a dance studio, a community room, foyers and a cafe.

From the large-scale gestures to small, tactile details, creative and inclusive values are visible at every scale, with little moments of richly coloured joy, humour and beauty woven into the interiors.

This project has been shortlisted in the leisure and wellness interior category of Dezeen Awards 2025.

Studio: Citizens Design Bureau
Project: BEAM Hertford
Credits: Bennetts Associates Architects, Max Fordham, Integral Engineering, Pritchard Themis Lighting, Charcoalblue and Bristow