Barbican: The Rise and Rapid Fall of the UK’s 1st Zero-Emission-Zone: Beech Street

The short-lived story of The UK’s first Zero-Emission-Zone, the Barbican’s very own Beech Street. Green Sky Thinking behind a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ): Beech Street In an effort to enhance the air quality in the Square Mile, The City of London Corporation backed plans to open the UK’s first 24/7 zero-emission roadway. Beech Street, which […]

Barbican: The Rise and Rapid Fall of the UK’s 1st Zero-Emission-Zone: Beech Street Read More »

The Wonders of communal underfloor Heating: Barbican Estate

London History / barbican

There are 2014 flats in London’s sprawling Barbican Estate, and each one is literally plugged into the wonder of communal underfloor heating. Electric cables have been inserted under the floors in each flat to provide the underfloor background heating, which is powered by off-peak reduced tariff electricity. How is communal Heating Controlled? During the “heating season,”

The Wonders of communal underfloor Heating: Barbican Estate Read More »

Barbican Estate: Why it’s London’s Best-Kept Secret

London History / barbican

The uncompromising brutalist architecture that is the Barbican Estate is a fashion Londoners either find abhorrent or dearly cherish. Those towering blocks, over hanging long walkways, concrete and stone punctured in places by large village like ponds. Everything about it, would make a Le Corbusier admirer nod in appreciation. The Barbican is a place with great impact, its marvellous

Barbican Estate: Why it’s London’s Best-Kept Secret Read More »

British Symbol of Brutalist Design; The Story of The Barbican

London History / Architecture, barbican, Heritage

A symbol of Brutalist design, the Barbican is one of the UK’s architectural treasures. The plans to build the Barbican started literally from a blank canvas, as the area was almost totally destroyed by the London Blitz. The designers, Chamberlain, Powell and Bon, therefore seized the opportunity to propose a radical change of how we live in buildings and cities. The

British Symbol of Brutalist Design; The Story of The Barbican Read More »

Curve Gallery Barbican Artist Francis Upritchard Pruitt Igoe 2018

Francis Upritchard Sculptured Art – Wetwang Slack

London Art and culture / Art Work and Artists, barbican

Francis Upritchard is a contemporary artist from New Zealand born in 1976. Studied at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Shortly after graduating in 1997 moved to London. In 2001 Upritchard co set up an art space in Hackney, the Bart Wells Institute, that featured different artists, in a

Francis Upritchard Sculptured Art – Wetwang Slack Read More »

Barbican Conservatory the second biggest conservatory in London

The Battle of the Botanical Giants: The Barbican Conservatory vs Kew Gardens

London Green Spaces / barbican, Botanical-Gardens

London is a city known for its abundance of parks and gardens. The famous Kew Gardens is a destination for plant enthusiasts from around the world, but it’s not the only botanical gem in the city. The Barbican Conservatory is a hidden oasis, tucked away in the heart of the city, that offers a unique

The Battle of the Botanical Giants: The Barbican Conservatory vs Kew Gardens Read More »