Reading Borough Council has unanimously approved plans for the Hexagon studio theatre in Reading, commenting that the proposals create a “visionary and transformative scheme”.
The Hexagon studio theatre will revitalise the brutalist 1977 theatre with the creation of a flexible new hub for arts, performance and community uses. The extension and refurbishment will create a new 300-seat auditorium, a café, bar, rooftop terrace, and rehearsal and workshop rooms.
A single-storey backstage and performer area will be demolished to allow for the new building to be created, which will include improved dressing rooms, a wardrobe department, and more production and rehearsal spaces. All proposals focus on improved sustainability as part of the Council’s commitment to working towards a net-zero carbon Reading by 2030.
HT will work in partnership with a multi-disciplinary design team, including Charcoalblue as Theatre and Acoustic Consultants, JCLA as Landscape Architects, Momentum as Structural Engineers, Skelly and Couch as Service Engineers and Equals Consulting as Project Managers. The project is due to start on site Summer 2024. Read the full release.
“We are absolutely thrilled that our plans for the Hexagon studio theatre have been approved. Alongside our collaborative design team we are looking forward to working with the council to deliver an ambitious, sustainable and adaptable theatre for the future of Reading.” Lucy Picardo, Director – Haworth Tompkins
We are so pleased to see The Court Theatre continue to receive industry recognition, with multiple honours at Friday night's Property Council New Zealand Industry Awards, including the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Judges' Choice Award.
In the second of three NLA articles, Tom Gibson, Associate Director at Haworth Tompkins, reflects on the practice’s international mass timber projects and the lessons they offer for timber construction in the UK.
Last week, Haworth Tompkins received the Dewi-Prys Thomas Award for our work on Theatr Clwyd in Mold, North Wales. The award celebrates the role of design in improving quality of life and supporting regeneration across Wales.
The redevelopment of Pembroke Mill Lane, Cambridge, for Pembroke College has been recognised with four RIBA awards, including a 2026 RIBA East Award, Building of the Year, Project Architect and the Conservation Award.
Planning approval has been granted for two new residential developments at Regents Court and Orwell Court & Welshpool Street, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing Hackney New Homes Programme.
Following the announcement of £10m investment from the Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to undertake critical infrastructure repairs to the Grade I listed Royal Festival Hall, we are delighted to announce our appointment to work with the Southbank Centre on the next phases of this landmark project.
Tendring Cochester Borders Garden Community wins Pineapple Award for Future Place over 20ha!
Haworth Tompkins is thrilled to be working with Ashford Borough Council on the transformation of the former Odeon cinema building into a vibrant new cultural and community venue in the heart of Ashford.
| 25.03.26 | Mass Timber Design Innovations: from fire strategy to carbon reduction, the challenges and opportunities of designing with timber. → |
| 30.10.25 | Construction Reaches Topping Off Milestone for the New Home of the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University → |
| 28.07.25 | Haworth Tompkins reveals plans for the redevelopment of Grade I listed De La Warr Pavilion → |
| 13.05.25 | Haworth Tompkins to lead design of affordable housing in £2.5 Billion York Central Regeneration → |