Alistair Hardaker | Image: Kin Creatives
National heritage bodies back “sensitive, conservation-led, yet future facing” renewal
Planning permission for a £231m upgrade of The Barbican has been formally approved by The City of London Corporation.
The Barbican Renewal Programme will see upgrades including enhanced accessibility, sustainability, and more dynamic use of space for arts.
The plans for a “sensitive and conservation-led, yet future facing scheme” for the brutalist building has been welcomed by national heritage bodies, it said.
Its Conservatory is hoped to become a major visitor destination, with renewed climate controls, regular free public access, and a new lift and stair to its balconies.
The Barbican’s foyers and lakeside terrace will be redeveloped to improve the sustainability of the Grade II-listed building.
The design team delivering the programme are led by Allies & Morrison working with Asif Khan Studio and engineers Buro Happold.
The project’s delivery plan and £191m investment was approved by The City of London Corporation late last year.
The £231m needed to complete Phase 1 of the Barbican Renewal programme will required an additional £40m, to be sought through philanthropic and partnership support.
Major on site works are set to begin in 2027, then between June 2028-29, the Barbican Centre will pause the majority of its activities to allow the most intensive period of works to take place.
Barbican Centre chief operating officer, Philippa Simpson, said: “Securing planning permission and listed building consent allows us to restore, celebrate and revitalise the Barbican Centre, so we can continue to deliver a dynamic, world class arts programme and provide the best possible welcome to new and existing visitors.
Simpson said the project “will improve access, release spaces for public use, and support ambitious artistic work at every scale.”
The Twentieth Century Society worked with The Barbican Centre on the plans. Its Catherine Croft, said the organisation “welcomes the sensitive, heritage-led approach. It balances the need to widen access to the arts centre with carefully reinstating and replicating original design features from 1982.”
Historic England has also worked in partnership with the City Corporation on the plans. Its chair Lord Mendoza said the plans will “bring new life to the Barbican Centre, a Grade II listed building and icon of post-war architecture.”
