Latest news with #PhilippaSimpson
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Architectural icon and one of the UK's top 20 cultural attractions unveils plans for £240million makeover
CULTURAL icon the Barbican arts centre has unveiled its hugely ambitious plans for a £240 million makeover – complete with "theatrical planting". New images of the stunning renewal of 9 CGI images have been unveiled showing plans for the Barbican arts centre 9 The Barbican will have its own lakeside terrace Credit: Alamy 9 The attraction was opened in 1982 and is now in need of a major upgrade Credit: Alamy 9 The Barbican attracted more than 1.5 million visitors in 2024 And it's certainly impressive – with a lakeside terrace another of its stunning new features. The newly released images show what the 43-year-old Barbican's conservatory, foyers and lakeside areas could look like after the restoration work has been completed. And that includes an urban oasis, a lakeside terrace, and dynamic new civic spaces. The Barbican's management team said the vision had received strong support in the initial phase of consultation with 90% of respondents reacting positively. Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal, said: 'We've been incredibly encouraged by the public's enthusiasm for our plans. "These new images reflect a vision for the Barbican Centre that stays true to our unique heritage and bold character while making us an inclusive, sustainable and meaningful place for everyone.' As part of the design process, the architects and Barbican project team worked with two codesign groups made up of people aged 18-30 years old. Most read in News Travel Their insights and suggestions also helped inform the ambitious plans. The Grade II-listed Brutalist architectural icon was constructed on London's biggest post-war bombsite. It was hailed by Queen Elizabeth II at its 1982 opening, as 'one of the wonders of the modern world'. 9 The cultural icon has been open for more than 40 years and the first phase of the upgrade is expected to be completed in 2032 One of the UK's top 20 cultural attractions, it attracted 1.54 million visitors last year alone. 'Utopian' English housing estate used to film Star Wars and James Bond – and it's free to visit However, after 40 years , the centre is starting to show its age and is in urgent need of upgrade. The first phase of the renewal plan from 2025-30 will deliver: A fully accessible conservatory which will remain open to the public almost every day. It will also have a new water feature, and 'theatrical' planting. There will also be a rejuvenated lakeside terrace, with fully functioning fountains, new landscaping, climate-friendly planting, improved seating and lighting. Also in place will be flexible foyers, that will' bring the arts out into the heart of the centre'. The design team delivering the programme are led by architects Allies and Morrison working with Asif Khan Studio and engineers Buro Happold, lighting designers les éclaireurs, inclusive design advisors, Arup, circular economy experts, Reusefully, and landscapers Harris Bugg Studio. 9 A major fundraising drive is planned to secure the funding of the full programme 9 The first phase of the project is expected to be completed ahead of the Barbican's 50th anniversary Credit: The Times 9 The music stage at the Barbican centre 9 The Barbican is an example of Brutalist architecture The City of London Corporation has committed £191 million to fund 80% of the first phase of works. Read more on the Irish Sun A major fundraising drive is planned to secure the remaining support needed to fund the full programme. Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first phase due for completion in 2030, just ahead of the Barbican's 50th anniversary in 2032. There's another tropical forest here in the UK Here's a rainforest in the UK with more than 800 types of plants and animals... The Run by the Trust for Sustainable Living, as many as 100,000 people visit a year. Inside are three glasshouses, with more than 800 types of plants and animals - many of which are free-roaming. This includes the blue poison dart frog as well as pythons and toucans. The larger mammals include the two-toed sloth which is free-roaming and a six-banded armadillo.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Architectural icon and one of the UK's top 20 cultural attractions unveils plans for £240million makeover
CULTURAL icon the Barbican arts centre has unveiled its hugely ambitious plans for a £240 million makeover – complete with "theatrical planting". New images of the stunning renewal of one of the UK's top cultural attractions have been revealed as consultation on the proposals enter its second stage. 9 9 9 9 And it's certainly impressive – with a lakeside terrace another of its stunning new features. The newly released images show what the 43-year-old Barbican's conservatory, foyers and lakeside areas could look like after the restoration work has been completed. And that includes an urban oasis, a lakeside terrace, and dynamic new civic spaces. The Barbican's management team said the vision had received strong support in the initial phase of consultation with 90% of respondents reacting positively. Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal, said: 'We've been incredibly encouraged by the public's enthusiasm for our plans. "These new images reflect a vision for the Barbican Centre that stays true to our unique heritage and bold character while making us an inclusive, sustainable and meaningful place for everyone.' As part of the design process, the architects and Barbican project team worked with two codesign groups made up of people aged 18-30 years old. Their insights and suggestions also helped inform the ambitious plans. The Grade II-listed Brutalist architectural icon was constructed on London's biggest post-war bombsite. It was hailed by Queen Elizabeth II at its 1982 opening, as 'one of the wonders of the modern world'. 9 One of the UK's top 20 cultural attractions, it attracted 1.54 million visitors last year alone. 'Utopian' English housing estate used to film Star Wars and James Bond – and it's free to visit However, after 40 years , the centre is starting to show its age and is in urgent need of upgrade. The first phase of the renewal plan from 2025-30 will deliver: A fully accessible conservatory which will remain open to the public almost every day. It will also have a new water feature, and 'theatrical' planting. There will also be a rejuvenated lakeside terrace, with fully functioning fountains, new landscaping, climate-friendly planting, improved seating and lighting. Also in place will be flexible foyers, that will' bring the arts out into the heart of the centre'. The design team delivering the programme are led by architects Allies and Morrison working with Asif Khan Studio and engineers Buro Happold, lighting designers les éclaireurs, inclusive design advisors, Arup, circular economy experts, Reusefully, and landscapers Harris Bugg Studio. 9 9 9 9 The City of London Corporation has committed £191 million to fund 80% of the first phase of works. A major fundraising drive is planned to secure the remaining support needed to fund the full programme. Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first phase due for completion in 2030, just ahead of the Barbican's 50th anniversary in 2032. Here's a rainforest in the UK with more than 800 types of plants and animals... The Living Rainforest is in the tiny village of Hampstead Norreys in Berkshire. Run by the Trust for Sustainable Living, as many as 100,000 people visit a year. Inside are three glasshouses, with more than 800 types of plants and animals - many of which are free-roaming. This includes the blue poison dart frog as well as pythons and toucans. The larger mammals include the two-toed sloth which is free-roaming and a six-banded armadillo.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Architectural icon and one of the UK's top 20 cultural attractions unveils plans for £240million makeover
The Barbican was opened in 1982 by Queen Elizabeth II who hailed it as 'one of the wonders of the modern world' STUNNING PLANS Architectural icon and one of the UK's top 20 cultural attractions unveils plans for £240million makeover CULTURAL icon the Barbican arts centre has unveiled its hugely ambitious plans for a £240 million makeover – complete with "theatrical planting". New images of the stunning renewal of one of the UK's top cultural attractions have been revealed as consultation on the proposals enter its second stage. Advertisement 9 CGI images have been unveiled showing plans for the Barbican arts centre 9 The Barbican will have its own lakeside terrace Credit: Alamy 9 The attraction was opened in 1982 and is now in need of a major upgrade Credit: Alamy 9 The Barbican attracted more than 1.5 million visitors in 2024 And it's certainly impressive – with a lakeside terrace another of its stunning new features. The newly released images show what the 43-year-old Barbican's conservatory, foyers and lakeside areas could look like after the restoration work has been completed. And that includes an urban oasis, a lakeside terrace, and dynamic new civic spaces. Advertisement The Barbican's management team said the vision had received strong support in the initial phase of consultation with 90% of respondents reacting positively. Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal, said: 'We've been incredibly encouraged by the public's enthusiasm for our plans. "These new images reflect a vision for the Barbican Centre that stays true to our unique heritage and bold character while making us an inclusive, sustainable and meaningful place for everyone.' As part of the design process, the architects and Barbican project team worked with two codesign groups made up of people aged 18-30 years old. Advertisement Their insights and suggestions also helped inform the ambitious plans. The Grade II-listed Brutalist architectural icon was constructed on London's biggest post-war bombsite. It was hailed by Queen Elizabeth II at its 1982 opening, as 'one of the wonders of the modern world'. 9 The cultural icon has been open for more than 40 years and the first phase of the upgrade is expected to be completed in 2032 Advertisement One of the UK's top 20 cultural attractions, it attracted 1.54 million visitors last year alone. 'Utopian' English housing estate used to film Star Wars and James Bond – and it's free to visit However, after 40 years , the centre is starting to show its age and is in urgent need of upgrade. The first phase of the renewal plan from 2025-30 will deliver: A fully accessible conservatory which will remain open to the public almost every day. It will also have a new water feature, and 'theatrical' planting. There will also be a rejuvenated lakeside terrace, with fully functioning fountains, new landscaping, climate-friendly planting, improved seating and lighting. Also in place will be flexible foyers, that will' bring the arts out into the heart of the centre'. The design team delivering the programme are led by architects Allies and Morrison working with Asif Khan Studio and engineers Buro Happold, lighting designers les éclaireurs, inclusive design advisors, Arup, circular economy experts, Reusefully, and landscapers Harris Bugg Studio. Advertisement 9 A major fundraising drive is planned to secure the funding of the full programme 9 The first phase of the project is expected to be completed ahead of the Barbican's 50th anniversary Credit: The Times 9 The music stage at the Barbican centre 9 The Barbican is an example of Brutalist architecture Advertisement The City of London Corporation has committed £191 million to fund 80% of the first phase of works. A major fundraising drive is planned to secure the remaining support needed to fund the full programme. Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first phase due for completion in 2030, just ahead of the Barbican's 50th anniversary in 2032.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Barbican Centre: New designs revealed as part of £240m refurb
London's Barbican Centre has unveiled new design images as part of its plans to refurbish three of its well-known spaces - the conservatory, lakeside, and proposed upgrades, which include a new water feature, form part of the Centre's wider renewal programme, with construction expected to begin in goal is to complete the works two years ahead of the Barbican's 50th anniversary in an earlier statement, the Grade-II listed cultural destination, which opened in 1982, acknowledged that the building had "deteriorated significantly" over the years. 'Inclusive, sustainable and meaningful' After more than 90% of respondents to the first consultation held earlier this year supported the initial proposal, the designs have since been co-design groups, including people aged 18-30 years old were involved in this update, the Centre plans include works to the lakeside terrace, the foyers being redesigned to be more inclusive and with improved facilities. "We've been incredibly encouraged by the public's enthusiasm for our plans,""These new images reflect a vision for the Barbican Centre that stays true to our unique heritage and bold character while making us an inclusive, sustainable and meaningful place for everyone," Philippa Simpson, Director of Buildings and Renewal said. In December, the City of London Corporation, the Centre's founder and principal funder alongside fundraisers committed £240m to support the first five-year phase of year, the Corporation said the Barbican Centre was in need of £451m worth of essential works based on an estimate from a consultant This is to be spread over the next 20-25 years and includes repairing and replacing infrastructure to meet accessibility and net-zero second round of consultation is set to run until 2 June.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New images revealed of £240 million plans for Barbican makeover
New images of the £240 million planned renewal of the Barbican arts centre were revealed today as consultation on the proposals the entered its second stage. The new CGIs show what the 43 year old Barbican Centre's conservatory, foyers and lakeside areas could look like after the restoration work has been completed. The Barbican's management team said the vision had received strong support in the initial phase of consultation with 90% of respondents reacting positively. Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal, said; 'We've been incredibly encouraged by the public's enthusiasm for our plans. These new images reflect a vision for the Barbican Centre that stays true to our unique heritage and bold character while making us an inclusive, sustainable and meaningful place for everyone.' As part of the design process, the architects and Barbican project team worked with two codesign groups made up of people aged 18-30 years old. Their insights and suggestions also helped inform the ambitious plans. The Grade II-listed Brutalist architectural icon was constructed on London's biggest post-war bombsite and hailed by Queen Elizabeth II at its 1982 opening, as 'one of the wonders of the modern world.' It is one of the UK's top 20 cultural attractions, attracting 1.54 million visitors last year alone. However, after 40 years , the centre is starting to show its age and is in urgent need of upgrade. The first phase of the renewal plan from 2025-30 will deliver: A fully accessible conservatory which will remain open to the public almost every day, with new water feature, and 'theatrical' planting ; a rejuvenated lakeside terrace, with fully functioning fountains, new landscaping, climate-friendly planting, improved seating and lighting; flexible foyers, that will' bring the arts out into the heart of the centre'. The design team delivering the programme are led by architects Allies and Morrison working with Asif Khan Studio and engineers Buro Happold, lighting designers les éclaireurs, inclusive design advisors, Arup, circular economy experts, Reusefully, and landscapers Harris Bugg Studios. The City of London Corporation has committed £191 million to fund 80% of the first phase of works. A major fundraising drive is planned to secure the remaining support needed to fund the full programme. Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first phase due for completion in 2030, just ahead of the Barbican's 50th anniversary in 2032.
