Borehamwood Venue

This ambitious project was conceived as a dynamic blend of a state-of-the-art sports and fitness facility alongside a 500-seat flexible theatre and rehearsal space.

The design was structured around a white textured ‘proscenium wall’, running the full length of the building. The layout divided the space into two distinct zones:

• Back-of-House Functions – Offices, changing rooms, plant rooms, and the theatre stage were positioned behind the proscenium wall.

• Public Spaces – Included an 8-lane 25m swimming pool, a children’s play area, a theatre bar, and the 500-seat theatre itself.

A key feature of the theatre was its hovercraft seating system, designed to:

• Float into the basement, transforming the space into a flat-floor function area when needed.

• Provide exceptional sightlines and acoustics for performances when in place.

Despite the groundbreaking design, a change in local government halted the project mid-construction. The new administration eliminated the theatre, going so far as to demolish the theatre basement floor and V-shaped columns to ensure the venue could never be completed as originally envisioned.

While the full vision was never realized, the project remains an example of bold, innovative architectural planning, blending two seemingly disparate functions into a cohesive and exciting concept.