BEAM shortlisted for major architectural award

Hertford BEAM theatre and cinema has been shortlisted for the annual Stirling Prize, awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious award for architecture, celebrating buildings that have made a significant contribution to the evolution of the built environment.

RIBA describes the project as a "new multi-arts cultural hub [that] hosts live performance, film and community activities across a series of auditoria and events spaces. Located in the historic town centre of Hertford on the banks of the River Lea, the project was conceived, funded and delivered by East Herts District Council. The project involved partial re-use and extending an earlier theatre dating from the 1970s. Retaining and transforming the existing auditorium, stage, fly tower and backstage accommodation, an extension was added with three cinema screens, studio theatre, multi-purpose spaces and an all-day café/bar."

The Institute's East Jury Chair, Julian de Metz, describes it as "An exemplar of contemporary civic retrofit and a model of how cultural hubs can act as standard-bearers for the climate challenge.".

BEAM has already won National and East awards from RIBA earlier this year.

The five other buildings nominated are:

• River Wing, Clare Collage, Cambridge
• expansion of Pembroke College, Cambridge 
• Paddington Square
• five buildings containing 157 dwellings in Lion Green Road, Croydon
• a new house at the edge of Epping Forest

Previous winners of the Stirling Prize include the Elizabeth Line, the Gherkin in London, Waterloo railway station, IWM Duxford and the media centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The winner of this year's prize will be announced at London’s Old Billingsgate on 15th October 2026.