Tenderstream members in the running to upgrade icon of Brutalist architecture

The City of London Corporation has announced the shortlist to deliver a major renewal of the Barbican Centre, with Tenderstream members Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and FCBStudios (Feilden Clegg Bradley) among the firms making up the five design teams through to the next stage of the contest.

The project is intended to preserve and respect the original design vision for the complex, as an example of one of London’s most ambitious architectural achievements and an icon of brutalism. At the same time, the upgrade is expected to respond to the current creative opportunities and challenges experienced by global arts and learning institutions.

The shortlist is as follows:

Adjaye Associates, Benedetti Architects and PUP Architects 
alongside Charcoalblue, David Bonnett, DP9, Nigel Dunnett, OneDotZero, Peter Stewart, The Place Bureau, Transsolar, WSP. 

Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Studio 
alongside Alan Baxter Ltd, Buro Happold, Charcoalblue, Hood Design Studio, Isaac Julien Studio, les éclaireurs. 

BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, Avanti Architects, and POoR Collective 
alongside Applied, Atelier Ten, Barker Langham, Buro Happold, Charcoalblue, People Friendly Design, Speirs + Major.

Diller Scofidio + Renfro, McCloy + Muchemwa, and Purcell 
alongside Buro Happold, Charcoalblue, David Bonnett, GROSS. MAX., L’Observatoire, Nagata Acoustics, Nigel Dunnett, North Design, Patrick Burnham OBE, The Young Foundation. 

FCBStudios (Feilden Clegg Bradley), Bureau de Change, Schulze+Grassov, and Thinc 
alongside AKT II, James Hitchmough, JWE, Max Fordham, Momentum, Nigel Dunnett, Ramboll. 

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Barbican Centre Board, Tom Sleigh, stated: “The Barbican is a much-loved global icon. This project will harness the visionary ambition of the City of London Corporation forty years ago, which chose to build the Centre, and make the venue ready for another four decades, continuing and amplifying the brilliant artistic achievements since then. Crucially, this project will strengthen the Barbican’s ability to play a leading role in the recovery of the City and the capital from the pandemic."

An honorarium of £20,000 will be provided to each of the five teams, who will propose designs for the project within a construction cost budget of £50m to £150m. The final appointment will be made in April 2022, with the successful team asked to develop a range of options deliverable at different budget levels.  

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

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