PRA tour the Barbican

Last Friday, we traded the comfort of our air-conditioned desks for the sun-soaked streets of the City and headed to the Barbican for a fascinating guided tour of one of London's most iconic architectural landmarks.

As we explored the estate's striking exterior, we discovered the vision behind its development, the design principles that shaped it, and why the Barbican continues to be celebrated as one of the world's finest examples of Brutalist architecture.

As façade specialists, it's always refreshing to step back and admire how architectural vision, design and engineering combine to create buildings that continue to spark debate and admiration decades later. And, amid London's heatwave, we were especially grateful to the architects for the generous shaded walkways and sheltered spaces woven throughout the estate, a design feature much appreciated more than ever!

Barbican Fun Facts:

• The name Barbican derives from the Low Latin word Barbecana, meaning a fortified outpost or gateway.
• The site was almost entirely destroyed during the Second World War, with only a handful of buildings, including St Giles' Church, surviving.
• Developed by The City of London Corporation, it was designed by architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon with work starting in the mid-1950s, and their formal appointment in 1960.
• Distinctive design features include elevated walkways, fortress-inspired detailing, pick & brush-hammered concrete, and curved forms that soften the Brutalist architecture.
• Constructed using approximately 130,000m³ of concrete, the development took around 20 years to complete.
• Officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982 and awarded Grade II listed status in 2001.
• The 40-acre estate is home to over 2,000 apartments, now mostly privately owned by around 4,000 residents as well as public spaces including the Barbican Centre, Library and Conservatory

Our afternoon of learning and exploring was rounded off with an evening of pétanque playing and it turns out we're a fiercely competitive bunch!

Our usual collaborative team spirit quickly transformed into some friendly rivalry as the competition got underway. Fortunately, despite a few questionable throws and plenty of banter, everyone remained on speaking terms by the end of the evening!

A fantastic way to spend time together outside the office, strengthening the relationships that underpin the collaborative approach we bring to every project.