Brutalism Anniversary

The Guardian is celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the Barbican: Journalist Oliver Wainwright says

“It looks like something from a wildly imaginative sci-fi comic, an impossible vision of worlds slamming into each other in a fantastical collage.”

The detailed article contains links to diagrams and history of the famous development, including jabs at it’s brutish hulk and renowned circulation issues.

There is currently a competition to “jolly up” the Barbican.

“Conceived as a utopian city within a city, the labyrinthine London landmark had a troubled path on its way to being hailed as an architectural icon. But is this world-class arts centre now in danger of being turned into a shopping mall?”

The author has good reason to end with genuine concern about the future of the development:

“While admirably aiming to improve the accessibility and sustainability of the complex, the [competition] brief also talks of “a huge opportunity to bring currently under-utilised spaces to life … in support of our creative and commercial ambitions”. It sounds suspiciously like a euphemism for turning it into a mall. The shortlist of architects charged with coming up with “bold” and “radical” solutions includes David Adjaye, Bjarke Ingels and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, a starry cast known neither for their subtlety nor their sensitive restorations of postwar buildings.”

For a brutal refresher, my Brutalism and Beauty post is as current as ever.

The newly completed centre in 1982. Photograph: Peter Bloomfield