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Barbican Renewal: The story so far

Photo of concrete flytower surrounded by trees and plants in the Barbican Conservatory

Barbican Renewal began in 2021, when an international competition was launched to appoint a multi-disciplinary design team to work with us on the programme.

In 2022, a team was appointed, led by Allies and Morrison, Asif Khan Studio and Buro Happold, supported by specialists in sustainability, heritage, landscaping, lighting design, acoustics and more. 

As work began we started public outreach on the programme, with a public survey, engagement with building users and workshops involving local residents, community organisations and artists. We produced a summary of our initial learnings.

In 2023 the City of London committed £25m in funding to progress design and deliver the first phase of urgent works to improve the Centre’s operational and environmental performance. These works began in summer 2025, and included initial improvements to toilets, lifts and building systems.  

Through 2024 design work has continued, with the next stage of public consultation planned for early in 2025. Alongside this, the Renewal design team has been working with a group of co-designers from across London aged 16-29 who are supporting plans to create spaces for  the Centre’s future audiences.  

In December 2024, the City of London committed a further £191m to progress the next five years of work on Renewal. This represents around 80% of the amount needed and we will be launching a major fundraising campaign to deliver the complete programme.

Project Timeline

2021 Renewal begins with a competition to appoint an expert design team

2022 Start of design work and public engagement 

2023 £25m of funding committed by City of London to progress design and the first phase of urgent works

2024 

  • Further design development and early works starts on essential systems and facilities
  • £191m of funding for the next five years of Renewal confirmed by City of London 

2025 

  • Public consultations on first phase projects (Lakeside, Conservatory, Foyers)
  • Plans to be submitted for approval
  • Infrastructure works continue
  • Launch of fundraising campaign

2026 Detailed design and project planning 

2027 Construction of Phase 1 projects for Foyers, Lakeside and Conservatory