The £231m first phase of the Barbican revamp aims to breathe new life into London's most bewildering arts centre. The project has been years in the making and is expected to be finished by 2032, just in time for the venue's 50th anniversary.
Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal at the Barbican, described the task as a "messy, risky job", but one that will transform this iconic building into a more inclusive and accessible space. The £451m overall bill is a significant investment in the venue, which has been plagued by issues of disorientation and accessibility.
The Barbican's unique layout, designed to accommodate its lakefront location and residential flats, means there are 40 different entrances and exits. This complexity has led to confusion for visitors over the years, including celebrity guests such as Stanley Tucci and David Dimbleby.
To address these issues, a new signage scheme is being introduced, which will replace the four existing ones. The old signs have been criticized by accessibility groups for being difficult to follow, but Simpson hopes that when construction begins in 2027, a new era of inclusivity will begin.
The revamp will also tackle long-standing design issues, including leaky tiles and worn-out carpets. In one area, the conservatory is only accessible to wheelchair users during limited hours, while other areas are plagued by narrow corridors and hidden passageways.
Despite its reputation for being a bit quirky, the Barbican has been celebrated as a well-executed vision of mid-century communal living. However, Simpson believes that this unique character can be harnessed to create a more welcoming and accessible space for all visitors.
When construction begins in 2027, the Barbican will embark on a new journey – one that promises to bring a sense of clarity and coherence to this once-bewildering arts centre. The task may seem daunting, but with a significant investment of time and money, Simpson is confident that a brighter future awaits for London's most iconic cultural institution.
Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal at the Barbican, described the task as a "messy, risky job", but one that will transform this iconic building into a more inclusive and accessible space. The £451m overall bill is a significant investment in the venue, which has been plagued by issues of disorientation and accessibility.
The Barbican's unique layout, designed to accommodate its lakefront location and residential flats, means there are 40 different entrances and exits. This complexity has led to confusion for visitors over the years, including celebrity guests such as Stanley Tucci and David Dimbleby.
To address these issues, a new signage scheme is being introduced, which will replace the four existing ones. The old signs have been criticized by accessibility groups for being difficult to follow, but Simpson hopes that when construction begins in 2027, a new era of inclusivity will begin.
The revamp will also tackle long-standing design issues, including leaky tiles and worn-out carpets. In one area, the conservatory is only accessible to wheelchair users during limited hours, while other areas are plagued by narrow corridors and hidden passageways.
Despite its reputation for being a bit quirky, the Barbican has been celebrated as a well-executed vision of mid-century communal living. However, Simpson believes that this unique character can be harnessed to create a more welcoming and accessible space for all visitors.
When construction begins in 2027, the Barbican will embark on a new journey – one that promises to bring a sense of clarity and coherence to this once-bewildering arts centre. The task may seem daunting, but with a significant investment of time and money, Simpson is confident that a brighter future awaits for London's most iconic cultural institution.
Wow... I mean, it's interesting how something so old can feel so inaccessible 
. The idea of 40 different entrances and exits must be super confusing for visitors. And the fact that some areas are only accessible during limited hours is just not right 
. But at least they're tackling long-standing design issues like leaky tiles and worn-out carpets... that's a good start 
. Can't wait to see how this new signage scheme and revamp go down in 2027 
!
I think its so cool how they're finally gonna fix all the weird entrances & exits at the Barbican 
like I went there once and got lost in the conservatory lol 
but seriously, making it more accessible is a big deal 
cant wait to see what they do with the design issues too! 
Can't they just renovate some stuff that actually needs it and save the rest for other projects or whatever? Plus, 40 entrances and exits is straight-up confusing – who needs that many options anyway?! 
It's crazy how something that was once celebrated as a unique vision of communal living became super confusing and not-so-accessible for everyone. The fact that they're revamping the signage scheme and tackling those design issues is already a step in the right direction. I hope it pays off when construction starts in 2027, I'm curious to see how the final result turns out 
I mean, who wants to change something as unique and historic as that building? But on the other hand, maybe those narrow corridors and hidden passageways are actually part of its charm... or are they just a pain for visitors with disabilities? 
I'm not sure if introducing a new signage scheme is a good idea, but at the same time, I don't want people to get lost in that massive building 
. The fact that there are 40 entrances and exits is just crazy! 
.
. My friend has a child with autism, and it's hard enough to navigate places without having to worry about safety 
.
! With a revamp like this, it's possible that London's most iconic cultural institution could become even more inclusive and fun for all visitors 
. Bring on 2032! 