Modern Architecture and the Modern City- Barbican, London
Modern Architecture and the Modern City-
Barbican, London
Chamberlin, Powel and Bon had very little experience being architects, after giving up teaching at Kingston University, they formed a partnership to tackle the challenge of the Barbican project. Between 1954 and 1968 Chamberlin, Powel and Bon (CP & B) created four finished plans which was later modified to a further fifth plan. However with the complexity of the scheme seven official plans were drawn up over this time. With each plan being more complex then the previous, the London vision was at their palm. Chamberlin, Powell and Bon had many visions and ideas towards the reconstruction and redevelopment of the rubble pile caused by the Blitz. By 1953 a proposal for the redevelopment was made, with the increase of lives being claimed by chocking on smog it had been proposed that the City should become a residential district and potentially house the professional classes. In 1959 Chamberlin Powell and Bon (CP&B) decided that the first plans for the Barbican were ready to be submitted, for a residential tower block which till today remain the tallest in Europe. Nearly all main principles of modernism can be found at the Barbican spanning from open-plan flats, the idea of general provision for car ownership and importantly open spaces for pedestrianization Before CB & B designed plans for the post war site, London City already had an existing but very complex plans. In the 1930’s engineers Sir Charles Ressery and Lytyens designed plans for the City of London. With a futuristic (at the time) infrastructure and visions of monumental buildings, modern ring roads and a brand new underground system which now has become an integral part of London life. Another key proposal was made and it was to add an arts centre with in the Barbican area, more over this was a remarkable plan considering the fact that the country had only freed its citizens from rationing in 1954. taking into consideration that Britain
Barbican, London
Chamberlin, Powel and Bon had very little experience being architects, after giving up teaching at Kingston University, they formed a partnership to tackle the challenge of the Barbican project. Between 1954 and 1968 Chamberlin, Powel and Bon (CP & B) created four finished plans which was later modified to a further fifth plan. However with the complexity of the scheme seven official plans were drawn up over this time. With each plan being more complex then the previous, the London vision was at their palm. Chamberlin, Powell and Bon had many visions and ideas towards the reconstruction and redevelopment of the rubble pile caused by the Blitz. By 1953 a proposal for the redevelopment was made, with the increase of lives being claimed by chocking on smog it had been proposed that the City should become a residential district and potentially house the professional classes. In 1959 Chamberlin Powell and Bon (CP&B) decided that the first plans for the Barbican were ready to be submitted, for a residential tower block which till today remain the tallest in Europe. Nearly all main principles of modernism can be found at the Barbican spanning from open-plan flats, the idea of general provision for car ownership and importantly open spaces for pedestrianization Before CB & B designed plans for the post war site, London City already had an existing but very complex plans. In the 1930’s engineers Sir Charles Ressery and Lytyens designed plans for the City of London. With a futuristic (at the time) infrastructure and visions of monumental buildings, modern ring roads and a brand new underground system which now has become an integral part of London life. Another key proposal was made and it was to add an arts centre with in the Barbican area, more over this was a remarkable plan considering the fact that the country had only freed its citizens from rationing in 1954. taking into consideration that Britain
Bibliography: Heathcote D, Barbican: Penthouse over the City. John Wiley and Sons LTD Banham R, The New Brutalism. London, The Architectural Press London Weston R, Modernism, Phaidon Press Ltd; New edition Clement A, Brutalism- post war British architecture. The Crowood Press Ltd Hanley L. Estates- An intimate History. Granta Books http://www.barbican.org.uk/about-barbican - Barbican http://www.barbican.org.uk/25/we-say/25-years-in-images http://www.timeout.com/london/features/2567/2.html http://www.open2.net/modernity/4_15.htm - Brutalism