Barbican, London
Built 1982
Designed by Chamberlin, Powell & Bon
The Blitz destroyed most of this part of London. Out of the ashes grew the biggest redevelopment scheme in Europe at the time. It is one of Londonʼs most ambitious and unique architectural achievements.
Designed as a city within a city it houses 4000 residents, two schools, a church, a library, a lake, a conservatory and an arts centre. Dominated by the splendour of the towers, the neighbourhood has adopted the Church of St Giles (the one surviving building from the Blitz) and hosts a calming lake in the centre (which provides a roof to the Central Line).
The sights and sounds of the Barbican show how concrete living could work.
The Barbican is a car-free, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood. The lack of traffic means you can listen to students practicing at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, hear excited squeals at playtime from The London School of Girls and the bounce of a ball in one of the sports grounds.
There is no monotony. Textures range from smooth to rough. There are half a mile of pedways which are narrow or wide, covered or uncovered. Some offer glimpses; others wide vistas. Buildings are high and low, taking on different shapes depending on the angle you approach them from.
At its opening in 1972, Queen Elizabeth II said “What has been created here must be one of the wonders of the modern world".
