Barbican Centre London, Architecture, Photos, Architect, Housing, Building, Location

Barbican Centre London : Brutalist Architecture

London Arts Centre Buildings design by Chamberlin, Powell & Bon, England, UK

post updated 8 September 2021

Barbican Centre Renewal Competition, London, UK

The City of London Corporation launches a search for a design team to develop and deliver plans for a major renewal of the Barbican Centre:

Barbican Centre Renewal Competition

24 Oct 2016

Barbican Estate Photos

12 Sep 2009

Completed: 1982

Architects: Chamberlin, Powell and Bon

photographs © Nick Weall

The Barbican Complex

Area: 7 acres

Barbican Arts Centre, City of London, England

photos © Nick Weall

The complex is home of London Symphony Orchestra
The area was badly bombed during World War II
Centre Owner: City of London

photos of the centre © Adrian Welch

Barbican Centre London

The Barbican Centre has been voted London’s ‘ugliest building’. But look at the beautiful landscaping and the intelligent density – kids playing basketball under residential blocks (below), noise accepted to the benefit of easy access to healthy sport and places to hang out and get away from polluted streets. The complex is an oasis in the city, car-free and focused on water and plants. The buildings can be a bit harsh but the centre is softened by hundreds of window box flowers.

photos © Adrian Welch

Status: Grade II listed, 2001
Architectural Style: Brutalist architecture
Location: central London, just north of the Square Mile (the financial centre for the UK)

Barbican Centre architects : Chamberlin, Powell and Bon

photo © Adrian Welch

Barbican Centre – Facilities

Concert Hall – 1949 seats
Barbican Theatre – 1166 seats
Barbican Art Gallery
Pit Theatre – 200 seats
3 Cinemas
Curve Gallery
Waterside Cafe
Balcony Bistro
Searcy’s restaurant
7 Conference Suites
2 Exhibition Halls

The Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Barbican Library

Project architect: John Honer

New Concert Hall for London Symphony Orchestra at Barbican Centre, Dec 2015

Shakespeare Tower building:

photograph © James Whitaker 2009 www.WhitakerStudio.co.uk

Milton Court
Date built: 1963
Design: Chamberlin Powell & Bon, Architects
This is the oldest building on the site
It was due for demolition in late 2007, not listed
Architectural study in 2006 by architect John Assael, London, into possible re-use of the building

photos © Adrian Welch

Barbican Centre Redevelopment – proposals: Guildhall School of Music tower
Date built: 2007
Design: David Walker Architects
including a 127m high residential tower + new Guildhall School of Music & Drama building
the design was submitted for planning in Sep 2007; Proposal approved in Nov 2007
The complex was grade II listed in 2001

Acoustic Canopy + Ceiling, Barbican Hall, City of London
Date built: 2001
Design: Caruso St John architects

Buildings northwest of London Wall:

photos of the centre © Adrian Welch

Moorgate Buildings, city of London, close to this complex

Refurbishment
Date built: mid-1990s
Design: Theo Crosby, Pentagram

Refurbishment
Date built: 2005-06
Design: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM)

Address: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS

Nearest Tube: Barbican

This famous housing complex in the City of London is popular amongst architects
Architects: Chamberlin, Powell and Bon
This development contains 3 of London’s tallest residential tower blocks

London Buildings nearby by architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon include:
Golden Lane Estate

Barbican Theatre was built for Royal Shakespeare Company, who left the premises in 2002.