Barbican Centre at 40: how an international arts venue took shape
By Nicholas Kenyon2022-05-20T05:52:00
The pioneering scheme is celebrating its 40th birthday. Former managing director Nicholas Kenyon explains how the initial plans for a residential development evolved
One of the key mysteries of the Barbican Centre is why it ended up with its most important arts venues – the concert hall and the theatre – buried underground in the pioneering development. The story is instructive because, like many innovative schemes, the Barbican evolved a great deal in the long course of its design. But its final shape enabled the centre to become an arts venue of international standing and reputation.