Barbican | Tag | ArchDaily

The Museum of London: Exploring the Brutalist Landmark Facing Demolition

December 22, 2024

Nestled within the junction of London Wall and Aldersgate Street in the Barbican district of the City of London lies the Museum of London. Built in 1977, the brutalist building was home to the world's largest urban history collection, with more than six million objects curated to highlight London's social history. The museum has been closed for over two years with plans for relocation, while its historic building faces demolition to make way for a new development—the London Wall West scheme. This has sparked mixed reactions from London residents and people across the country, with calls to review the proposed design and campaigns favoring retrofit over the demolition of this unique modernist building. Photographer Arnolt Smead recently visited the museum to capture its beautiful architectural moments and highlight its unique features.

+ 10

The Barbican Center to Undergo Major Renewal and Upgrade, Planned to Begin First Phase in 2027

December 18, 2024

The City of London Corporation has approved a £191 million funding package for the first phase of the Barbican Centre's five-year renewal program. The initiative is aimed at addressing critical repairs and upgrades to this Grade II-listed venue, including improvements to accessibility, energy efficiency, and overall functionality of its aging infrastructure. The Barbican Renewal began in 2021 with an international competition for the multi-disciplinary design team to lead the efforts. In 2022, Allies and Morrison, Asif Khan Studio, and Buro Happold were selected, in collaboration with specialists in sustainability, heritage, landscaping, lighting design, acoustics, and more.

+ 2

London Architecture City Guide: 20 Modern and Contemporary Attractions to Explore in UK’s Cultural and Financial Powerhouse

June 29, 2023

London’s architectural history is a rich tapestry that weaves together styles of various periods and influences. In the post-war era, the city experienced a surge in modern architecture, becoming a canvas for experimentation. New stylistic movements saw their expression crystalized through buildings such as Richard Rogers’ Lloyd’s Building, one of the most representative examples of High-Tech architecture, or the Barbican Estate, a large-scale housing estate that became the iconic structure for Brutalist architecture.

London’s contemporary architectural landscape continues to evolve, in part through the works of internationally-recognized architects such as Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid, and Thomas Heatherwick. This varied blend of styles, and ways of expression reflects the city’s ability to embrace architectural movements of global significance. As a center for innovation, London continues to attract established and emerging architects who shape its skyline and contribute to its international architectural discourse, with each new building offering a glimpse into the ever-changing nature of London’s urban fabric.

+ 26

The Architectural Legacy of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 Year Reign

September 09, 2022

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom's longest-reigning monarch, has passed away at Balmoral Castle, aged 96. Earlier this year, Her Majesty became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years since her ascension to the throne. During her coronation, the first ceremony of this type to be televised, newspapers and tv broadcasters talked about a “New Elizabethan Age” that would revive Britain from postwar gloom. Now, seven decades later, as the longest reign in British history has come to an end, people come together to honor The Queen and reflect upon her legacy in terms of culture, technology, and architecture.

+ 2

Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Studio Selected to Design UK's Barbican Centre Refurbishment

April 28, 2022

A collaborative design team led by Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Studio has been selected to renew the famed Barbican Centre in London, United Kingdom. The winning design proposal preserves the building’s original architectural language and provides new opportunities for the center's diverse community of artists, audiences, and partners, boosting the building’s accessibility and performance quality.

+ 3

BIG, Adjaye Associates, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Asif Khan Studio Are Among the Shortlisted Practices for Barbican Centre's Refurbishment

January 13, 2022

The Barbican Centre is up for a substantial renovation, and the City of London Corporation revealed the five shortlisted teams for the refurbishment of the Brutalist icon, among which are practices like BIG, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Adjaye Associates or Asif Khan Studio. The cultural venue at the heart of the eponymous post-war housing estate in central London was the subject of an international competition aiming to preserve its heritage while upgrading the ageing structure to contemporary requirements and artistic aspirations.

Architecture on Stage: OFFICE KGDVS

April 15, 2019

Belgium's renowned architectural practice OFFICE KGDVS joins The Architecture Foundation to discuss their recent projects and urbanist design.

Architecture on Stage: Sauter von Moos

February 28, 2019

Hear from Swiss architecture practice Sauter von Moos as they lecture on their practice's works.

Architecture on Stage: Lütjens Padmanabhan

February 25, 2019

Join us as the founders of the Swiss architecture practice present their recent work.

Architecture on Stage: Hans van der Heijden

February 04, 2019

The Dutch architect and urbanist Hans van der Heijden will speak about his recent projects and their engagement with the city and its streets.

Architecture on Stage: Christ & Gantenbein

January 31, 2019

The practice of acclaimed Swiss architect duo Christ and Gantenbein will join together on stage to discuss past and future projects.

Architecture on Stage: David Kohn

January 21, 2019

David Kohn, founder of his own architectural practice, will discuss past and future projects from his office.

Architecture on Stage: Forensic Architecture

January 03, 2019

Eyal Weizman, director of Forensic Architecture, will lecture at the Barbican in cooperation with The Architecture Foundation discuss the group's practice combining architecture and digital forensics.

Architecture on Stage: Amin Taha

December 17, 2018

Amin Taha, alumni of the office of Zaha Hadid, will speak at the Barbican to discuss his practice, Groupwork+Amin Taha.

Architecture on Stage: Éric Lapierre

December 03, 2018

Éric Lapierre will speak at the Barbican to discuss ELEx, his organisation coordinating architectural practice and writing.

The Barbican Launches Jewelry Line Dedicated to its Vibrant Brutalist Estate

August 25, 2018

The Barbican, London’s iconic Brutalist estate designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon Architects, has launched a range of jewelry and homeware designed by creative studio Tom Pigeon, paying tribute to the vibrant aesthetic which put the scheme on London’s architectural map.

As reported by Creative Boom, the Surface collection draws inspiration from the geography of the Barbican estate, communicating its color, pattern, and shape in a range including earrings, mugs, and greeting cards.

+ 10

5 Lessons From Norman Foster’s Lecture at the Barbican

May 15, 2018

After being knighted in 1990 for services to architecture, winning the 1999 Pritzker Prize and then gaining peerage in the same year, it could be argued that there is no living architect that has had a larger impact on urban life than Norman Foster. In a recent talk, Foster addressed a sold-out Barbican Hall on the future of our growing urban landscape, in the seventh installment of the Architecture On Stage series organized by The Architecture Foundation with the Barbican. While the content was full of grandiose statements and predictions, of a scale similar to the projects Foster's practice undertakes, it was the problem-solving approach he showed that gave more of an insight into the man himself. The following 5 lessons gleaned from the presentation won't guarantee Foster-like levels of success, but they may be able to help you navigate the challenges that architecture can present, both personally and professionally.

Unique Brutalism - Celebrating 35 Years of the Barbican

March 19, 2017

The Barbican Centre in London is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Brutalist movement, the mixed-use development is home to 4,000 residents, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Located in the heart of London, the Barbican is just one example of how Brutalist architecture forms a central part of our cities. To celebrate this progressive, modernizing, sometimes controversial style, GoCompare has created an online gallery illustrating Brutalist icons from across the world.

+ 4

Barbican: The Latest Architecture and News