The SHAPE Room: A Flexible Event Space Designed for Digital-First Experiences

In recent years, we’ve seen an evolution in the way organisations effectively reach new and existing audiences, present ideas and build communities. The most impactful events now speak to two audiences simultaneously; the people gathered in the room and those joining from elsewhere. The venue chosen to host them must serve the needs of both equally and without compromise, to maximise impact and engagement.

The SHAPE Room at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace is built with this dual objective in mind. A versatile, contemporary event space in the heart of Westminster, it’s been purpose-designed for digital-first, hybrid and in-person events alike, from conferences and presentations to exhibitions and networking sessions. With HD streaming facilities, optimum acoustics and a clear sight-lined layout, it gives event planners a single Central London setting equipped for any format their brief calls for.

What Makes the SHAPE Room Unique?

When event planners assess the suitability of a space, they tend to weigh the same priorities. These include: an environment that conveys credibility, an adaptable layout, technology that performs without fuss and slick operational support to keep proceedings running smoothly behind the scenes. The SHAPE Room delivers on every front.

It forms part of the most significant development we’ve seen at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace since our opening, an extensive, multi-million-pound transformation of the lower ground floor. It’s the largest of our event spaces, with an elegant, minimalist interior, finished in a neutral palette of cream, stone and light wood. With natural daylight drawn into the room and blackout facilities also built in, the result is a contemporary backdrop that complements rather than competes with branding elements and AV production.

The room can be configured for almost any format. Central to its versatility is the double height, pillarless layout. With no columns to design around, sightlines to the stage and soaring, high-definition curved screen remain clear from every seat. Ample branding opportunities are available, along with areas for dedicated exhibition and sponsor zones, allowing organisers to reflect their visual identity throughout the space. Just as importantly, the SHAPE Room is completely self-contained: it has its own entrance, a private green room for speakers and presenters and a nearby cloakroom. These practical provisions allow event organisers to arrive, prepare and run their programme as a polished, professional whole.

The name itself reflects the venue's historic significance and character. SHAPE stands for the Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy and Environment; a term developed by our parent organisation, The British Academy, to tell the story of those subjects. It’s a fitting name for a room built to host the exchange of ideas and meaningful conversation.

Ideal Event Types for the SHAPE Room

Few spaces adapt as readily across multiple formats as the SHAPE Room. Its combination of scale, integrated technical event production and adaptable room layouts makes it suited to a broad spectrum of professional events, including:

Conferences & Seminars

As our largest room, the SHAPE Room seats up to 100 theatre-style, making it a capable conference venue in Central London for full or multi-day programmes, AGMs and industry seminars. Auditorium-style layouts keep delegates’ focus firmly on the stage, while cabaret and boardroom set-ups support more interactive, discussion-led sessions. As the space is self-contained, conference organisers can run registration, sessions and breaks without disruption from other events elsewhere in the building.

Hybrid & Livestream Events

The SHAPE Room is, first and foremost, a hybrid event venue in Westminster built to facilitate the way organisations communicate today. Integrated HD cameras and streaming infrastructure allow events to be captured or broadcast live, extending the reach of any programme to a global audience. A dedicated AV technician supports delivery throughout, connecting both remote and in-room participants seamlessly. These advanced technical capabilities make it an equally strong choice of event space for livestream events in London, from product launches to broadcast-quality recordings.

Presentations, Panels & Debates

With low-level staging, theatre lighting and a large, wrap-around screen served by triple laser projection, the room presents speakers and content to full effect. It’s a well-suited presentation space Westminster for media calls, leadership talks, panel discussions and debates, where clear sightlines and reliable AV ensure the message lands as intended. The neutral interior keeps attention where it belongs, on the people and ideas at the front of the room.

Networking & Reception Events

The SHAPE Room also combines beautifully with the adjoining Wohl Gallery. For full-day or evening programmes, the SHAPE Room can host the main session while a drinks reception, networking break or exhibition have their own dedicated space. It’s a natural pairing for audiences above 70 guests, where structured content and informal conversation sit comfortably side by side under one roof.

Key Features and Technical Capabilities

The SHAPE Room has been equipped to support technical event production of every kind, with infrastructure built in rather than added on:

·      HD cameras and streaming facilities: capture event content for later use or broadcast live to remote audiences, supporting hybrid conferencing and genuine global reach.

·      Large screen with triple laser projection: bright, high-definition visuals that hold up under any lighting condition.

·      PA system, theatre lighting and blackout facilities: professional sound and lighting control for presentations, screenings and immersive AV moments.

·      Low-level staging: flexible staging that frames speakers and panels without dominating the room.

·      Dedicated audio-visual technician: expert, on-site support that keeps delivery smooth from rehearsal to wrap.

·      Videography facilities: built-in provision for recording sessions to a professional standard.

·      Dedicated green room: a private space for speakers and presenters to prepare away from the audience.

·      Exhibition and sponsor space: room to incorporate branding, displays and partner activations.

·      Private entrance, registration area, digital signage and cloakroom: a self-contained arrival experience that keeps the event running as one.

·      Air conditioning: a comfortable, climate-controlled environment for audiences of every size.

Venue Capacities and Layouts

The SHAPE Room offers versatile layouts to suit a wide range of event formats:

Theatre style: 100

Banquet: 80

Cabaret: 49

Reception: 150

Hollow square: 36

U-shape: 31

Boardroom: 30

For full-day or evening events with audiences larger than 70 guests, the SHAPE Room is designed to be hired alongside the adjacent Wohl Gallery, giving organisers the combined capacity and breakout areas a larger programme requires.

Why Westminster and Central London Matter

Choosing where to host an event is rarely just a practical decision, planners know the right location conveys both intention and meaning. Westminster is one of the capital's most prestigious addresses, home to a dense concentration of professional associations, government departments, academic institutions and major corporations. Its accessibility for many delegates, means attending an event here has little disruption on the working day.

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace sits at the heart of St James's, overlooking The Mall, with several major transport links all within easy walking distance. It’s convenient for guests arriving from across London, other UK cities, or from further afield via the major international airports. For event organisers seeking a corporate event venue in Westminster, our recognised address adds credibility and a sense of occasion from the moment the invitation lands.  For event organisers seeking a corporate event venue in Westminster, our recognised address adds credibility and a sense of occasion from the moment the invitation lands. This is particularly important for high-profile national or international events where the location is a key part of the programme’s appeal.

How the SHAPE Room Integrates with Other Spaces

One of the SHAPE Room's greatest practical strengths is how naturally it works as part of a larger event. Few briefs are met by a single room and {10-11} Carlton House Terrace is designed for programmes that fully utilise our wealth of multi-purpose spaces.

The adjoining Wohl Gallery is its natural companion space, ideal for welcoming guests on arrival, hosting a drinks reception, or providing room for networking and exhibition stands. The Lecture Room offers a more intimate setting for smaller breakout sessions, workshops or parallel programme streams. For the most complex events, exclusive whole venue hire opens the building's wider collection of spaces, allowing organisers to build multi-stage programmes with a clear sense of rhythm and flow.

This creates a guest journey that unfolds across complementary spaces, with structured sessions, informal conversation and catering, all within one prestigious address, and without the logistical complications of moving guests between buildings.

Discover the SHAPE Room

The SHAPE Room combines everything most event briefs call for today: an elegant, contemporary setting, varied room layouts, advanced technology for hybrid and livestreamed formats and a renowned Westminster location. If you’re hosting a launch event for 100, hybrid conferencing for a global audience, or a large-scale event across multiple spaces, it’s a flexible event space in London, ready to perform.

To find out more about the SHAPE Room, or to discuss how it might work as part of a wider event at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace, talk to our events team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of events can the SHAPE Room host?

The SHAPE Room is suited to a wide range of professional events, including conferences, seminars, presentations, panel discussions, debates, media briefings, exhibitions and networking receptions. Its versatile layout and integrated technology make it adaptable to both formal, auditorium-style formats and more interactive sessions.

Does the SHAPE Room support live streaming?

Yes. The SHAPE Room is equipped with integrated HD cameras and streaming facilities, supported by a dedicated audio-visual technician. This makes it well suited to hybrid events, livestreamed conferences and broadcast-quality recordings that reach audiences well beyond the room.

Can the space be used with other rooms, such as the Wohl Gallery?

Absolutely. The SHAPE Room adjoins the Wohl Gallery, which works perfectly for drinks receptions, networking and exhibitions and it also pairs well with the Lecture Room for smaller sessions. Full venue hire is available for larger multi-strand events. For audiences larger than 70 guests, hiring the SHAPE Room alongside the Wohl Gallery is recommended.

What capacities does the SHAPE Room accommodate?

The SHAPE Room accommodates up to 100 guests theatre-style, 80 for a banquet, 49 in cabaret configuration and 150 for a standing reception. Boardroom, U-shape and hollow square layouts are also available for smaller, discussion-led formats.