Barbican Conservatory

Accessible and sustainable planting design in the heart of London

Harris Bugg Studio has been appointed to revitalise the planting of the Barbican Conservatory, a remarkable example of eco-brutalist design and one of London’s most iconic architectural and horticultural spaces, alongside architects Allies & Morrison and environmental engineers Buro Happold.

The Barbican Conservatory, with its dramatic Brutalist structure and abundant planting, exemplifies the powerful interplay between nature and architecture, and is a vital green space in the heart of the capital. Opening it up to be fully accessible while incorporating cutting-edge sustainability credentials is at the heart of the project.

Central to the approach will be collaboration with Marta Lowcewicz, the Barbican Conservatory’s Head Gardener, and her team. Their expertise and intimate understanding of the space play a crucial role in reimagining its future.

Harris Bugg Studio includes an exceptional team of experts, selected by the studio specifically for this project: Matthew Pottage, Karen Fitzsimon, Christopher Young and Phil Griffiths.

“Harris Bugg Studio have demonstrated an exceptional level of rigour, creativity and collaboration and a clear commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.” – Barbican Director for Buildings and Renewal

Press

Wallpaper*: Meet the landscape studio reviving the eco-brutalist Barbican Conservatory

Time Out: Spectacular new images for the Barbican Centre revealed

Architects Journal: Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan unveil latest Barbican plans

Collaboration

Team: Allies and Morrison, Burro Happold, Asif Khan, Alan Baxter Associates, Arup, Charcoal Blue, The Planning Lab 

Photography: Alister Thorpe