Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Refurbishment of listed modern theatre
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is a Grade II listed theatre overlooking the River Wey in Guildford. The original building, designed by Scott Brownrigg and Turner Architects opened in 1965 and is characterised by its circular auditorium and unusual, horseshoe-shaped foyer.
Reed Watts worked with the theatre’s team to modernise and upgrade the front of house spaces, incorporating new accessible facilities and improving the appearance and distinctiveness of the theatre’s foyers, restaurant and bars. A new lift and other inclusive facilities allow more people to access and enjoy more of the building.
The project supports the theatre’s creative learning and engagement programme with a new multipurpose community space on the third floor. Improvements to acoustics throughout the building will also enable foyer spaces to be used more intensively for activities alongside performances in the main auditorium.
The scope of work encompassed not only aesthetic improvements but also addresses the building’s energy efficiency. Outdated equipment had been replaced, and a careful de-silting process has helped to reveal the architectural spirit of the original structure.
The work was completed over seven phases to minimise the impact on the theatre’s operations. As a result, the theatre remained operational throughout the construction process.
Sector
Culture
Location
Guildford
Status
Complete
Awards
Guildford Society Design Awards 2025: Winner - Public Building Regeneration
Photos
Digby Jones, Paul Stead & Reed Watts
Archive Photos
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Video
Digby Jones
