The Barbican Centre a Brutalist landmark that has housed world-class performances, exhibitions, and cinema since 1982 is heading into a major transformation. After more than four decades of heavy use, the building and its surroundings have begun to show their age. Leaking tiles, outdated infrastructure and a notoriously confusing layout have all contributed to calls for a full-scale overhaul. In response, the centre's management backed by the City of London Corporation has launched the ambitious Barbican Renewal programme. The aim is not just to repair
The scale of the estate is felt in the sweeping view of its terrace blocks rising over the central green. Narrow balconies wrap the long facades, filled with red flowers, potted plants, and the everyday objects of residents. Below, a lawn dotted with picnics and a small playground softens the geometry, revealing the original intention of the architects to merge high-density housing with generous public space.
The Barbican is a maze. A beautiful brutalist, multi-levelled maze of crisscrossing walkways in the sky - but still a maze. In a way, that's part of the cultural institution's charm, always leading visitors to discover surprising corners of the site. There are, however, a few downsides to the Barbican's labyrinthine layout. Sometimes you'll try to meet a friend before a show and find yourself at the opposite side to where you're meant to be (or worse, in the car park).
