Barbican Centre

The Barbican Centre stands in the City of London as a large performing arts venue set within the Barbican Estate. The estate was built on land heavily damaged during the Second World War and opened years after the surrounding housing complex. Designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in the Brutalist style, the centre’s concrete ziggurat shape divides opinion. Its multi-level layout includes numerous entrances and painted ground lines to guide visitors. The building became a Grade II listed site in 2001 for its architectural ambition and cohesion. The centre hosts classical and contemporary music, theatre, film and art exhibitions. The London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra perform in the Barbican Hall, while the Royal Shakespeare Company returned in 2013 after earlier leaving in 2001. The Barbican Library offers a large public lending service with special arts and music collections dating back to the 18th century. The library also runs free events and has practice pianos for public use. Three restaurants and a conservatory overlook the lake, adding to the site’s facilities. Visitors find a complex of performance spaces including the 1,943-seat Barbican Hall, the 1,156-seat Barbican Theatre and the flexible 200-seat Pit. The Barbican Art Gallery and free new-commission gallery The Curve display contemporary works. The Barbican Film operates three cinema screens. Outside, the lake and terrace provide a quiet contrast to the building’s bold design. The centre’s interior links foyers with an internal bridge and improved signage after a 2005–2006 refurbishment.