Renowned London attraction, the Barbican Conservatory, slated for extensive restoration and makeover in a notable renovation endeavor
Barbican Conservatory Restoration Project: Revitalising London's Urban Oasis
London's Barbican Conservatory, the city's second largest, is set to undergo a major restoration project. The focus of this endeavour is to prioritise the needs of the plants and to address issues such as a failing glass envelope, major leaks, outdated technical and operational systems, and accessibility issues.
The restoration project is being led by Charlotte Harris and Sybille de Cussy, with a team of experts including Matthew Pottage, Karen Fitzsimon CMLI, Christopher Young, Phil Griffiths, and a host of other professionals such as Allies & Morrison, Asif Khan Studio, and environmental engineers Buro Happold. Multi-award-winning landscape designers Harris Bugg Studio have been appointed to revitalize the planting, with the expertise of Marta Lowcewicz, the Barbican's head gardener, playing a key role in the reimagining of the space.
The Conservatory, located under more than 2,000 square metres of glass and steel roof, will take center stage in the redesigned Conservatory. The design aims to combine cutting-edge innovation, accessibility for all, and a commitment to securing the future of the Conservatory for generations.
The redesign adopts eco-brutalism, enhancing the Barbican’s raw concrete brutalist architecture with sustainable, climate-resilient interventions. Design elements include advanced rain and stormwater management systems, vertical gardens, native plant species, and pollinator-friendly areas. Sustainable materials like reclaimed timber seating and low-carbon concrete are integrated to reduce environmental impact.
The renewal prioritizes expanding accessible green spaces through innovative planting and landscape strategies that enhance usability for diverse visitors. The project emphasizes collaboration among architects, engineers, sustainability, and heritage consultants to ensure a holistic approach to preservation alongside improved public accessibility and experience.
As part of the Barbican Centre’s wider vision to serve as a civic cultural zone, plans include free public access performances and art installations within public spaces like the Conservatory, contributing to its role as an inclusive urban oasis.
The restored Conservatory will extend and rethink opening hours to be more inclusive and welcoming for all. Work on the restoration project is expected to begin in 2027, requiring the closure of the Conservatory for a period. The address of the Barbican Conservatory is Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. The website for the Barbican Centre is barbican.org.uk, and the telephone number is 020 7638 4141.
Ula Maria, a garden designer and landscape architect living in London, frequently visits the Conservatory and appreciates its lush, green environment. The Conservatory houses over 1,500 species of plants, including bananas, palms, cacti, and koi-filled ponds.
The restoration project forms part of phase one of the Barbican Renewal Programme, a long-term plan to secure the future of the grade-II listed site. The Conservatory, with its rich history and unique charm, is set to emerge from its restoration as a more accessible, sustainable, and vibrant space for all to enjoy.
- The restoration project of London's Barbican Conservatory is led by Charlotte Harris and Sybille de Cussy, working alongside experts like Matthew Pottage, Karen Fitzsimon CMLI, and Christopher Young, with landscape designers Harris Bugg Studio taking the lead on planting redesign.
- The redesign is expected to adopt eco-brutalism, incorporating sustainable materials such as reclaimed timber seating and low-carbon concrete, alongside advanced rain and stormwater management systems, vertical gardens, and native plant species.
- Garden designer and landscape architect Ula Maria regularly visits the Conservatory, appreciating its diverse collection of over 1,500 plant species, including bananas, palms, cacti, and koi-filled ponds.
- The restored Conservatory is set to extend and rethink its opening hours for increased accessibility, making it more welcoming to a wider audience.
- Phase one of the Barbican Renewal Programme includes the Conservatory restoration, aiming to preserve the site's rich history and unique charm while making it a more sustainable, accessible, and vibrant space for the future.
