Barbican at night
Getting lost in the concrete jungle (Photos/words © urban75, 13th January 2007)
The Barbican sits on the site of the northern edge of the old Roman city, Londinium.
With the area flattened during the 1939-45, the City of London Corporation and the City grew concerned by the dwindling number of residents
living within the Square Mile, and sought to create a large residential complex on the site.
Covering 40 acres and opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1982, the Barbican now hosts the largest multi-arts and conference venue in Europe and 2,014 residential flats.
It's certainly not pretty to look at though - Forbes.com described it as one of the 'World's ugliest buildings,' and in 2003 the Barbican Centre topped a poll of ugly buildings in London BBC article
![Barbican photos, London, photographs from an evening trip around the streets and walkways of the Barbican Centre, London](images/barbican-01.jpg)
The various blocks are all linked by aerial pedestrian walkways affording, er, great views like this.
![Barbican photos, London, photographs from an evening trip around the streets and walkways of the Barbican Centre, London](images/barbican-02.jpg)
Another view from a walkway.
![Barbican photos, London, photographs from an evening trip around the streets and walkways of the Barbican Centre, London](images/barbican-03.jpg)
The Barbican's signage is chaotic and frustrating.
Signs listing the names of tower blocks appear on walkways only to disappear 200m later.
![Barbican photos, London, photographs from an evening trip around the streets and walkways of the Barbican Centre, London](images/barbican-04.jpg)
How's this for a user-friendly sign?!
![Barbican photos, London, photographs from an evening trip around the streets and walkways of the Barbican Centre, London](images/barbican-05.jpg)
Grey concrete is everywhere.
Dark alleyways abound. Finding your way around is like walking around a computer game.
![Barbican photos](images/barbican-06.jpg)
Looking like an Eastern European hotel corridor, these are the entrances to flats.
![Barbican Centre photos, London](images/barbican-07.jpg)
The area around the Barbican is almost totally deserted at night, and we passed lots of big offices with just a solitary bored security guard sat in a huge atrium.
![Barbican Centre photos, London](images/barbican-09.jpg) Passing a deserted, mall-like arcade.
![Barbican Centre photos, London](images/barbican-08.jpg)
Another, near-identical office entrance. Look carefully and you can see a sole figure right at the end!
![Barbican Centre photos, London](images/barbican-10.jpg)
Rather over-the-top entrance.
![Barbican Centre photos, London](images/barbican-11.jpg)
Nearing Moorgate tube and a swift journey back to the busy, lively streets of Brixton!
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