The semicircular terrace above the Concert Hall is barely used today. Step-free paths, new planting and seating are planned, if the funding comes through.
The City of London Corporation has granted planning permission to restore the Barbican Centre’s outdoor Sculpture Court. Subject to funding, the space is due to reopen to the public in 2030.
The court is a semicircle on top of the Concert Hall, wrapped by the curve of Frobisher Crescent. It was designed so that people could come across art and architecture as part of ordinary daily life. Today the public hardly uses it, because it is hard to reach, the seating is poor and its infrastructure is wearing out. Conservation work is also urgently needed to protect the hall underneath.
The approved scheme brings step-free access across the whole court, planting chosen to cope with a changing climate, better lighting, improved equipment for events, new accessible seating and paths, and clearer signs. Allies and Morrison are the architects, with Buro Happold as engineers.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has given £147k of development funding. It will pay for detailed design, heritage research, community engagement and work on the archive, before the Barbican applies for a full National Lottery grant later on.
“We’re pleased our plans to bring this extraordinary space back to life have been approved by the City of London Corporation,” said Philippa Simpson, the Barbican’s Chief Operating Officer.
The court project belongs to Barbican Renewal, a programme to restore the centre in time for its 50th birthday in 2032. Of the £231 million needed for the 2025 to 30 phase, £191 million is coming from the City of London Corporation. The Barbican also plans to seek further philanthropic and partnership support so the programme can meet its full artistic and civic ambitions.
While the refurbishment is carried out, the main Arts Centre will host no events from late June 2028 until June 2029. The cinemas on Beech Street will carry on as normal. The London Symphony Orchestra, which is based at the Barbican, will keep performing but will move to temporary venues. A separate project aims to bring the Barbican’s exhibition halls, empty for a couple of decades, back into use.
It is due to reopen as a public space in 2030, subject to funding.
It sits above the Concert Hall, framed by the curve of Frobisher Crescent.
The main Arts Centre will host no events from late June 2028 until June 2029. The Beech Street cinemas stay open.
The 2025 to 30 phase needs £231 million, and £191 million of that is coming from the City of London Corporation.
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