Site Specific: Barbican Theatre Sunken Bars

K Bava Architects - London, 2022

KBA Constructed between 1965 and 1971, the Barbican Centre is a performing arts centre in the Barbican Estate of the City of London and is the largest of its kind in Europe. These two unique compact bars are located under the steps of the Barbican Theatre.

After years of intensive use, the listed fabric required a comprehensive refurbishment. The existing spaces have been refurbished and upgraded to current technical standards with a minimum of visual compromise to the original design intention. These upgrades include asbestos removal, lighting, security, wc’s and new bar operation facilities.

This pair of compact spaces is now characterised by the reuse of elements found within the Barbican centre and redeployed into a tight and considered arrangement; the steel bar structure is made from original handrails from the venue and the ceiling comes from the adjacent Barbican Art Gallery. The handling of these pieces, together with the deployment of new mirrors, creates a very different scale of experience but using recognisable design cues which condense the existing atmosphere.

The loose furniture was discovered within the Barbican centre and reupholstered in fabrics that relate to the theatre seating, a plush velvet. Additional new elements also join this family of furniture to allow for more flexibility of use.

We wanted to intensify the already interesting sense of scale we found in these spaces whilst highlighting their forgotten qualities. With improved lighting focussing on elements of the bar, key surfaces and the use of original Barbican colours we have sought to strike a balance between conservation and recognising the intensive and varied use of these spaces in a modern institution.

The refurbishment project is both a respectful repair to elements of this landmark complex of buildings, and an interpretation of how these spaces can remain relevant for current use.

NOTES

Photographs © Emily Marshall

Many thanks to K Bava Architects for sharing this project with us.

Posted 13th April 2022.