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Original poster

To think the Barbican Estate in London is a masterpiece?

182 replies

zymbole · 15/02/2026 08:30

I never really liked concrete or 1960s architecture until I did the Architecture Tour on the Barbican Estate a few days ago. Now I “understand” it and can really appreciate it. Living there would be a dream. AIBU to consider it a masterpiece?

OP posts:
MindYourUsage · 15/02/2026 10:56

I think it's awful, sorry.

I know it is trendy and avant-garde for one to say they love it. But I just can't and don't.

IPM · 15/02/2026 10:53

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 15/02/2026 10:51

Interesting. But I doubt it has its “share”. Some round the edges maybe.

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No, it's not 'around the edges', it's very much on and in the estate.

These concrete jungles are a gift to those who don't want to be spotted doing what they do.

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 15/02/2026 10:51

IPM · 15/02/2026 10:46

The Barbican estate still has its share of drug dealing and other anti-social behaviour.

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Interesting. But I doubt it has its “share”. Some round the edges maybe.

IPM · 15/02/2026 10:46

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 15/02/2026 10:12

I quite like it. A friend has a beautiful flat there.

But I’m always aware that it was built for the well-off - it even has a high-end private school in the middle - and because of that is well looked after. Brutalism doesn’t generally work where crime and isolation is more common.

The Barbican estate still has its share of drug dealing and other anti-social behaviour.

ValidPistachio · 15/02/2026 10:46

EmeraldRoulette · 15/02/2026 09:56

Can you tell me why you think this please?

when I was a little it was talked about as if it was the most amazing place ever. When I finally saw it, I thought - thank God we don't live here. Or anywhere that looks like it.

I don't get Brutalist architecture though.

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I like the clean lines, the level of thought and planning, the post-war hope that slums and obsolete housing could be replaced with space and energy efficient "machines for living" that would improve the lives of their occupants. Obviously, that generally didn't happen in the UK, for any number of reasons, but the Barbican is an excellent example of high-rise living that works, and not just for those with no other options.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/02/2026 10:24

Haven’t been there for ages, but the lack of green/greenery was what made the greatest impression. I’m not really a fan of 60s concrete brutalism TBH, but I can see why people like that particular development.

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 15/02/2026 10:12

I quite like it. A friend has a beautiful flat there.

But I’m always aware that it was built for the well-off - it even has a high-end private school in the middle - and because of that is well looked after. Brutalism doesn’t generally work where crime and isolation is more common.

IPM · 15/02/2026 10:06

MakeYourOwnSunshine · 15/02/2026 08:55

Absolutely beautiful on the inside but OMG that concrete balcony and the view from it just look so depressing.

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Yes, it's just shit 1960s flats but with ponds.

I can't believe anyone thinks it's even remotely nice.

Bikergran · 15/02/2026 10:06

@Melarus I lived in London during my first marriage. DH had put his name down when these were being built and had just been given the option on a Barbican flat. However, his career took us to another city so we never lived there. One of life's missed opportunities.

Ribenaberry12 · 15/02/2026 10:04

I used to work round the corner from it in the 90s and fell in love with it. I’d love to live there.

Myblueclematis · 15/02/2026 10:02

The Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth was built in the Brutalist style and was bulldozed in 2004. I really never liked it and neither did a lot of people.

I went to a party there in one of the flats in the 70s and it was really tdark, dingy and depressing.

Tricorn Centre

Tricorn Centre, Portsmouth – The Twentieth Century Society

https://c20society.org.uk/lost-modern/tricorn-centre-portsmouth

Somersetbaker · 15/02/2026 10:02

applethestoola · 15/02/2026 09:57

Absolutely stunning. I love brutalist architecture.

Absolutely much better than the kitsch pastiches so loved by King Brian.

applethestoola · 15/02/2026 09:57

Absolutely stunning. I love brutalist architecture.

RaisedBar · 15/02/2026 09:56

I have never not got lost wandering around there! My colleague lives in one of the top floors. I love hearing the stories about the residents committee politics!

EmeraldRoulette · 15/02/2026 09:56

ValidPistachio · 15/02/2026 09:47

Yes, I think it's a masterpiece. It's a pity that such residential schemes fell badly out of favour long ago.

Can you tell me why you think this please?

when I was a little it was talked about as if it was the most amazing place ever. When I finally saw it, I thought - thank God we don't live here. Or anywhere that looks like it.

I don't get Brutalist architecture though.

IdentityCris · 15/02/2026 09:55

Jago Hazzard's done some interesting videos on the Barbican, e.g.

ValidPistachio · 15/02/2026 09:52

Meadowfinch · 15/02/2026 09:39

We have very different tastes. 😁

I've always considered it an eyesore and completely out of place. If you've ever walked around it, it is a bleak, depressing wind tunnel, apparently not built with human beings in mind at all.

My cousin lived there and as a teen I always assumed it was because it was the cheapest place available.

It most certainly wasn't the cheapest available. In fact, only 12 homes in the entire complex were social housing (atop the now-demolished building that housed the fire station etc).

Velentia · 15/02/2026 09:51

A friend lived there and I got to know her flat which was one of the low rise ones near the church. The bathroom was small and compared to modern flats the kitchen was cramped and tiny.
Walking for simple shopping was a route march. Not good for anyone with poor mobility.
The noise generated in the foyer carries up into the Library. There is not barrier at floor level over so much of the area. It should go the same way as that awful Carpark in Portsmouth. Bulldozers!

Melarus · 15/02/2026 09:48

MakeYourOwnSunshine · 15/02/2026 08:55

Absolutely beautiful on the inside but OMG that concrete balcony and the view from it just look so depressing.

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I love it! My dream view. And I like all the odd angles and mazelike byways. It's more interesting than a flat grid.

ValidPistachio · 15/02/2026 09:47

Yes, I think it's a masterpiece. It's a pity that such residential schemes fell badly out of favour long ago.

justdontrelateanymore · 15/02/2026 09:44

They filmed some of the Star wars Andor series there ❤️

mrsmalaprop · 15/02/2026 09:43

Lovelynames123 · 15/02/2026 09:40

My godmother owns a flat in one of the towers, and is in the process of buying another for visitors to stay in...! We love visiting, train down to King's Cross and 2 stops on the tube, so convenient

Lord above. Have you seen the prices? Your Godmother must be seriously minted to be buying a ‘spare’ one!

They are really hard to buy. You have to be in the know and they have waiting lists.

So clearly, a lot of people don’t feel the way I do about the place.

CautiousLurker2 · 15/02/2026 09:41

Each to their own, and most apartment blocks can risk looking a bit utilitarian/bland, but I can’t see the beauty in this development at all. The 2bed flat details above make me feel loads better about the 3bed flat we’re buying in central London for significantly less than that, though.

Lovelynames123 · 15/02/2026 09:40

My godmother owns a flat in one of the towers, and is in the process of buying another for visitors to stay in...! We love visiting, train down to King's Cross and 2 stops on the tube, so convenient

Meadowfinch · 15/02/2026 09:39

We have very different tastes. 😁

I've always considered it an eyesore and completely out of place. If you've ever walked around it, it is a bleak, depressing wind tunnel, apparently not built with human beings in mind at all.

My cousin lived there and as a teen I always assumed it was because it was the cheapest place available.

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