The Barbican is revered by historians and architecture enthusiasts alike for its distinct Brutalist character and historical significance. Yet some 34 year after the estate's completion, it is no surprise that many of the Grade II listed concrete London landmark's original interiors are in need of a refresh.
London architect Laurence Quinn of Quinn Architects is part of the Barbican's creative community and has lived, with his family, in one of the towers since 2009. In 2015, he embarked on a series of renovation works to breathe new life to the interior, while maintaining the Chamberlin, Powell and Bon space's original spirit.
'We were interested in researching the original concept for the interior spaces, to allow us the opportunity to consider these in a modern context and develop the concepts further,' he explains. 'We simply maintained which parts of the interior remained relevant, and retire elements that had outgrown their usefulness. Our new scheme of components will sit happily with the originals and vice versa.'
The renovation was a hands-on experience, with Quinn personally involved in redesigning key elements such as cabinetry, skirting boards and bathrooms. The materials used were carefully selected to match the originals' feel and tone; they include oak, grey terrazzo, white lacquered MDF, wool and cashmere carpet, and Grey Italian Limestone.
The new, full height doors with solid oak floor frames echo the original design, but were brought into the 21st century; now, they do not require to be constantly painted. At the same time, the brand new kitchen was one of the project's largest interventions, with the cupboards and drawers completely replaced.
This was not the first time Quinn was involved in a Barbican redesign - his earlier renovation work there includes a penthouse in the Cromwell Tower - and it won't be the last either; his re-imagining of a Type 1C project in Shakespeare Tower is currently underway. There, the architect is taking a slightly different approach, maintaining far more original details, he explains, and merging them with 'a select group of our new ideas'.
Quinn has been living in the apartment since 2009 but decided the interior needed some refreshing in 2015
His approach combined maintaining the spirit of the original interior, while bringing the detailing to the 21st century
Materials and colours were carefully chosen to feel at home in their context, matching in style the originals. The floor is lined in oak wood.
Completely reworking the kitchen cabinetry was one of the project's biggest interventions
The white cupboards were replaced with new ones in sleek white lacquered MDF
The subtle renovation was a hands-on experience for Quinn, who took special care in redesigning key elements and detailing, such as skirting boards
The apartment's bathrooms were also reworked using white tiling and grey Italian limestone
New, discreetly contemporary wardrobes in the apartment's two main bedrooms help the interiors feel sleek and streamlined
The new, full height internal doors with solid oak frames echo the original design, but now they do not require to be constantly painted
INFORMATION
For more information on Laurence Quinn visit the website
Photography: Rob Parrish
-
The most whimsical hotel Christmas trees around the worldWe round up the best hotel Christmas tree collaborations of the year, from an abstract take in Madrid to a heritage-rooted installation in Amsterdam
-
Stone dials are making a comeback: here are the watches doing it bestWatches with hard stone dials are enjoying a surge in popularity
-
These illuminating fashion interviews tell the story of style in 2024Selected by fashion features editor Jack Moss from the pages of Wallpaper*, these interviews tell the stories behind the designers who have shaped 2024 – from Kim Jones to Tory Burch, Willy Chavarria to Martine Rose
-
Year in review: the top 12 houses of 2024, picked by architecture director Ellie StathakiThe top 12 houses of 2024 comprise our finest and most read residential posts of the year, compiled by Wallpaper* architecture & environment director Ellie Stathaki
-
A brutalist garden revived: the case of the Mountbatten House grounds by Studio Knight StokoeTour a brutalist garden redesign by Studio Knight Stokoe at Mountbatten House, a revived classic in Basingstoke, UK
-
An eco-conscious reconfiguration of space revives a London homeAn eco-conscious reimagining of a Victorian terraced home for a growing London family, THISS Studio’s Hartley House offers sustainable, spacious living
-
This listed house in London is transformed through a contemporary celebration of the archSegmental House, a listed house transformation by Dominic McKenzie Architects, taps into the playful powers of the contemporary arch
-
Ebb and flow: Tidal House is a harmonious retreat on the Solway CoastTidal House by Brown & Brown Architects redefines coastal living with a design that balances privacy, openness, and harmony with nature
-
Farshid Moussavi’s new house in Hove is about ‘what you need and nothing more’A new house in Hove, designed by Farshid Moussavi for her parents, hits the right notes between functional and minimalist in the British seaside town
-
A Corten-clad extension creates a prominent Peckham landmark: tour Rusty House on the RyeStudio on the Rye’s radical overhaul of a 1950s house in south London pairs robust materials with expansive new interior spaces
-
The RIBA House of the Year 2024 winner is a delightful work in progressThe winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2024 is Six Columns in south London – the home of architect and 31/44 studio co-founder William Burges
