The Barbican's Revamp: Unraveling the Complexity of its Arts Centre
Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal at the Barbican, stands outside the venue's lakeside area, her feet sinking into cracked tiles that seep water into the building below. The £231m first phase of the project aims to breathe new life into the 43-year-old landmark, which has been dubbed "the world's most bewildering arts centre" since its opening in 1982.
The task ahead is daunting, with an estimated overall bill of £451m and a deadline of 2032 for the completion of the 50th anniversary celebrations. The Barbican's age – it has never received a major facelift – adds to the complexity of the challenge. Simpson hopes that by making these civic spaces more inclusive and accessible, she can create a new era for the arts centre.
Comprising a theatre, concert space, art gallery, and conservatory, the Barbican is celebrated as a mid-century vision of communal living. However, it falls short in modern design standards. The conservatory, inaccessible to wheelchair users, and its lakeside area with leaky tiles have long been criticized. The foyer spaces, meant to be welcoming areas for visitors, are disorienting, making it difficult to navigate the labyrinthine layout.
The Barbican's infamous entrances – there are 40 in total – only add to the confusion, according to Jaymi Sudra, a partner at Assemble, the design team overhaul. "Because of these many points of entry, people often feel slightly disoriented," she explains. The challenge is not just about aesthetics but also creating an accessible environment.
The organisation has historically capitalized on visitors' struggles with finding the Barbican Centre. Posters have long featured images of confused individuals, and even celebrities like Stanley Tucci and David Dimbleby have gotten lost within its walls.
As Simpson embarks on this monumental task, she hopes to create a new signage scheme that will replace the existing four, which often clash and are hard for visitors with disabilities to follow. With construction set to begin in 2027, Simpson is optimistic about ushering in a new era of accessibility at the Barbican Centre.
The £231m first phase of the project aims to tackle some of the most pressing issues – from leaky tiles to labyrinthine layouts – but it's just one step towards revitalizing this iconic cultural institution.
Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal at the Barbican, stands outside the venue's lakeside area, her feet sinking into cracked tiles that seep water into the building below. The £231m first phase of the project aims to breathe new life into the 43-year-old landmark, which has been dubbed "the world's most bewildering arts centre" since its opening in 1982.
The task ahead is daunting, with an estimated overall bill of £451m and a deadline of 2032 for the completion of the 50th anniversary celebrations. The Barbican's age – it has never received a major facelift – adds to the complexity of the challenge. Simpson hopes that by making these civic spaces more inclusive and accessible, she can create a new era for the arts centre.
Comprising a theatre, concert space, art gallery, and conservatory, the Barbican is celebrated as a mid-century vision of communal living. However, it falls short in modern design standards. The conservatory, inaccessible to wheelchair users, and its lakeside area with leaky tiles have long been criticized. The foyer spaces, meant to be welcoming areas for visitors, are disorienting, making it difficult to navigate the labyrinthine layout.
The Barbican's infamous entrances – there are 40 in total – only add to the confusion, according to Jaymi Sudra, a partner at Assemble, the design team overhaul. "Because of these many points of entry, people often feel slightly disoriented," she explains. The challenge is not just about aesthetics but also creating an accessible environment.
The organisation has historically capitalized on visitors' struggles with finding the Barbican Centre. Posters have long featured images of confused individuals, and even celebrities like Stanley Tucci and David Dimbleby have gotten lost within its walls.
As Simpson embarks on this monumental task, she hopes to create a new signage scheme that will replace the existing four, which often clash and are hard for visitors with disabilities to follow. With construction set to begin in 2027, Simpson is optimistic about ushering in a new era of accessibility at the Barbican Centre.
The £231m first phase of the project aims to tackle some of the most pressing issues – from leaky tiles to labyrinthine layouts – but it's just one step towards revitalizing this iconic cultural institution.
i've always wanted to visit but it's literally impossible to navigate lol 40 entrances? how are you even supposed to find the right one?! 
anyway, i think philippa simpson is a genius for tackling these accessibility issues first it's not just about making it look pretty, it's about creating an actual experience for everyone 
and i love that she wants to make it more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities 
the £231m phase is just the beginning, can't wait to see the finished product in 2027 
but with 40 entrances, i mean, how are people even supposed to find their way around? 
seriously though, the conservatory is literally inaccessible and that lakeside area is like a science experiment gone wrong 
it's all about making spaces inclusive and accessible. the £231m first phase might be just the beginning but i'm curious to see how philippa simpson and her team will tackle those pesky leaky tiles and whatnot 
? Replacing those dodgy signage schemes with a new one that's easier to follow for visitors with disabilities sounds like a total game-changer.
! It's about time they made it wheelchair-friendly and stuff. I'm also kinda intrigued by the 40 entrances - can you imagine getting lost in there? 
But, overall, I think Simpson is on the right track, and I'm curious to see how it all comes together. One thing for sure, I'll be keeping an eye on this project! 
those leaky tiles are just gross, water everywhere... it's like the conservatory is begging for renovation 
! And 40 entrances? Like, how can you even navigate that place? 