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Hexagon
Queen Walk
Reading
Berks
RG1 7QF
United Kingdom
Studio Theatre
A brand new Studio Theatre is being built at The Hexagon to compliment and enhance the main house.
View our timelapse footage to see the building work progress
A Landmark Design
The new studio sits on the footprint of former backstage and service areas, replacing them with purpose-built, modern facilities.
The Hexagon is expanding with a brand-new Studio Theatre, designed by award-winning theatre specialists Haworth Tompkins. This transformative development will create much-needed performance and rehearsal space in Reading, while placing sustainability and accessibility at its heart.
The project will empower more diverse programming, attract new audiences, and strengthen The Hexagon’s role at the centre of the emerging Minster Quarter.
New Backstage & Support Spaces
Located on the lower level, shared by both venues:
- Improved “get-in” and loading facilities
- Catering and wardrobe areas
- Modern toilets and welfare facilities
- Flexible studio spaces for rehearsals, meetings and workshops
- Convertible spaces for large-cast productions, including schools shows and pantomime
Auditorium
Set across two levels:
- Stalls and gallery seating
- Intimate design with excellent sightlines from every seat
- Fully accessible circulation, lifts and toilets on both levels
- Direct internal link to the main Hexagon theatre, allowing both venues to run together or independently
A Highly Adaptable Performance Space
The new studio sits on the footprint of former backstage and service areas, replacing them with purpose-built, modern facilities.
The Studio Auditorium will offer:
Up to 200 seats or 300 standing
- Rapid changeovers between:
- End-on seating
- Standing gigs with raised stage and pit
- Thrust staging
- Theatre-in-the-round
- Gallery seating retained even in standing formats
- Accessible seating options on both levels
- High-spec technical and production facilities
- Carefully engineered acoustics, including acoustic gallery fronts and treated wall surfaces
- Audience access is at the rear on both levels, allowing late entry or early exit with minimal disruption – especially important for relaxed performances. Backstage includes two large, high-quality dressing rooms with direct stage access.
A New Public Entrance & Vibrant Public Space
A striking new bridge from Queen’s Walk creates step-free access to:
- A dedicated studio entrance
- A light-filled foyer and bar
- A new public space that activates the surrounding area
Key architectural features include:
- A dramatic hexagonal “chimney”, central to the natural ventilation strategy
- Landscape design with green roof and prairie planting to boost biodiversity
- Improved access for delivery vehicles, reducing heavy traffic in surrounding streets
Sustainability at the Core
The project replaces the building’s ageing gas boilers with a low-carbon heating system:
- An open loop ground source heat pump will draw warm water from the chalk aquifer beneath the building
- Heat will be extracted and the water safely reinjected
- Supported by the Levelling Up Fund and Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Additional sustainability measures include:
- Natural ventilation
- Green roofs
- Low-impact construction materials
The design is targeting BREEAM Excellent, a leading global sustainability standard.
A Building That Respects Its Past – and Looks to the Future
The new architecture carefully balances old and new:
- Lower brickwork matches the original 1970s Hexagon
- Bridge structure echoes the building’s distinctive “V” roof forms
- Red detailing connects the new elements to the original interiors
- Contemporary zinc cladding on the upper levels complements – rather than copies – the existing building
The planting on the bridge creates an open, welcoming approach that gives the Studio its own identity within the Hexagon campus.
Flexible Foyer, Bar & Creative Space
This area is designed to work hard all day and evening.
When performances are on:
- Bright, welcoming atmosphere with natural light
- Polished concrete floors (durable and a nod to the original brutalist design)
- Acoustic treatments for comfort
- A high-quality bar featuring local independent products
During the day:
- Converts into rehearsal, workshop or meeting space
- Available for community hire
- Curtains and a small lighting rig allow flexible layouts
What this means for The Hexagon:
Work has started to create Reading’s newest theatre.
The first stage of the work involved the demolition of the backstage area, dock and stage door area by our partners Feltham Construction Ltd. The construction has started on the Studio Theatre, with the scheme progressing well and due to be delivered Spring 2027.
The area off Queen’s Walk will be transformed into a cutting-edge, intimate 200-seat, 300 standing theatre perfect for comedy gigs and bands. Seating can be removed to create a standing space for 300 people, and there is a gallery with more seating on the first floor.
The new building will also have superior backstage facilities for performers and crews and an upgraded technical area which will attract quality productions of all sizes.