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1. Tom’s space is decorated with souvenirs from his world travels. This tapestry was purchased at a market in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, on a visit several years ago. 2. Tom likes art that has a pleasant handmade feel as well as strength and a unique composition. 3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mug, Tom’s favorite since age six. 4. Happi coat found at a Harajuku market, on a visit to Tokyo. 5. Tom jokes that the rooms get so much light that he “could sunbathe in the summertime.”

“If you need a hand, someone is always there to help.
That’s the Barbican way.”

Nine years back, while searching for housing, Tom was so charmed by a visit to the Barbican Estate (“Barbican” below) that he decided it was time for a change. This flat could not have been more different from the Victorian building in North London where he had been living, but Tom adapted to life in the modern environs much more quickly than expected. “Since then, old-fashioned brick spaces like the one I used to live in have started feeling a bit strange to me!”

Tom once wrote a piece on residents of Barbican who have lived in their apartments since just after construction was completed. When he was looking for people to interview, neighbors caught wind of the story and started telling him who he should talk to. “Even living in the same building, most days you don’t cross paths with that many other residents, but if you need a hand, someone is always there to help. That’s what the Barbican neighborhood is all about.” The perfect level of proximity.

“Barbican lets us experience London firsthand,
from the middle of the city.”

Last year, Molly and Chris moved from their old neighborhood to Barbican. “Rather than just go down the block, we wanted the excitement of a totally new place.” For this couple, Barbican was the ideal choice. But at the time, London had just entered its first lockdown. “The pandemic sent people away from cities, out into the suburbs and the country. What drew us to Barbican, in the middle of the city, was the chance to watch London firsthand as it transitions through the hard times and along to recovery.”

As artists, Molly and Chris couldn’t be happier with the location. “Barbican Concert Hall, where Chris actually performed once, is located in the complex. Lots of my favorite galleries are within walking distance as well,” says Molly. The nightlife of the West End is just a step away, while the trendy shops of East London are fairly close too. These two could not feel more at home in Barbican.

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Molly and Chris in their tastefully appointed flat. The large oil painting hanging on the left is one of Molly’s creations. The coffee table is stacked with color indexes and books on food, in keeping with their gourmet lifestyle.

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Fitting right in with the interior, Chris’s piano is actually a recent acquisition from a neighbor.

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1.2. Replete with famous items like a Kartell “Bookworm” bookcase, a George Nelson Ball Clock, a Steiner Paris sofa, and Heals fabric hung like a tapestry, Mariam’s living room is a veritable museum of design. 3. The staircase makes good use of steel handrails to create a wide-open environment. Linking the workspace on the upper level with the living area below, the staircase lends the warmth of wood to the interior.

“This is my urban sanctuary.”

Mariam is a huge fan of design from the 1950s through the 1970s. “For ages, I dreamt of what it would be like to live in Barbican. The whole mirage created by the towers, the balance between inorganic concrete and lush greenery, the labyrinthine walkways connecting the rows of structures. And if that wasn’t good enough, having an arts venue around the corner makes this place hard to beat.” One year ago, Mariam fulfilled her dream and took up residence. To commemorate the start of her new life, she had the floors redone and the walls painted, finishing off her dream home with lighting and furniture that suited her personal style.

The “sounds of Barbican” have been a major inspiration for her work as a composer. “I’m so fascinated by the sounds of traffic or construction just outside, the chirping birds, and the leaves on the trees, even the sounds of people coming and going. Sometimes I’ll record it.”

When folks have questions about living in the complex, an answer is just a click away, on the message board for residents. “This place is my urban sanctuary.”

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• Elizabeth
• WOMEN JOGGERS
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• Stephen
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1. As a knit designer, Elizabeth has collaborated with legendary British brands like Paul Smith and Margaret Howell. 2. Sunglasses and other accessories that Stephen helped design have been included in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. 3.4.5. The interior is decorated with an assortment of furniture and art that speaks to the couple’s eye for beauty.

“Every family here has their own story, their own lifestyle.
Looking outside is like watching a movie.”

“When I was still in art school, I stopped by Barbican for a viewing, when it was still under construction. I was deeply intrigued with the style of the buildings, but I never thought I’d wind up living here,” says Stephen. Even for an open-minded student of design, a concrete block apartment building was a far cry from the standard townhouse made of brick. But later on, once he had seen the inside of a flat, his thinking changed entirely. “The bright space is enhanced by a smart layout. I couldn’t believe a space like this existed.”

For her part, Elizabeth briefly considered leaving the area, when they moved into this flat from another part of Barbican about two and a half years ago. But this was where her friends lived, and the ease of access to all parts of London made it hard to leave the place behind. “I think we made the right decision,” she says.

“Every single set of windows is a different family, with their own story and their own lifestyle. We’re surrounded by gardens and playgrounds, with London spreading off in all directions. Looking outside is like watching a movie. We love that about living here.”

“This place is really special. Along with giving me ideas for my work,
it has a wonderful neighborly environment.”

Diana leads a busy life, working as a cinematographer. Enamored with the contrast between light and shadow, the art, and the sounds of people going about their daily lives, she found a perfect home in Barbican. “All the buildings here are dynamic and dramatic, but also incredibly simple. I’m charmed by how many different faces this place has. It’s always helping me come up with new ideas. I’m really into living here. It brings me so much joy.”

Though generally Diana spends her days off shooting her own films at favorite spots in Barbican, lately she has been making time to volunteer. “Over the past year, I’ve become more aware of the importance of fostering connections with a place.” Volunteering has led to fruitful interactions with her neighbors. “I’ve rediscovered the variety of unique personalities that can be found here. It reminds me of how wonderful this community really is. I’m so glad to be a part of it.”

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1. A balcony outside the bank of windows that span the front wall of the flat. Caring for plants is one of Diana’s hobbies. 2. Diana is fond of futuristic interiors. Each piece of furniture was carefully selected with this aesthetic in mind. The “Dancing” sign behind her, among her favorite objects, was custom-made. 3. Cabinet where Diana stores odds and ends, along with several cameras.

• Fausto
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• Brendan
• COTTON CANVAS LACE UP TRAINERS

1. The baseball on the bookcase is a memento from Fausto’s youth, when he played catch with his father. In his native Dominican Republic, baseball is the most popular sport. 2. The tiled walls, sink and faucets are all original, from the time of construction. 3. Window in the hallway that connects the rooms. 4. In this house, light plays the starring role. To maximize its potential, the interior has been kept as simple as possible. 5. The balcony is L-shaped. When the weather is fine, the two enjoy their tea and meals outside.

“This place is like a little town unto itself,
containing all these different lives and so much history.”

Take the elevator up to the sixth floor, then walk up one more flight of stairs. Fausto and Brendan live in one of the penthouse apartments topped off with semicircular windows, a Barbican signature. Not only does the space get light from three sides, the kitchen and the bathroom catch that extra bit of sun through high windows by the ceiling, setting the entire space aglow. The plants in the flat, raised lovingly by Fausto, who has the green thumb, spread their leaves and soak up the natural light.

Their balcony looks out over the heart of Barbican. “In addition to housing all these people, the complex also contains gardens and tennis courts for the residents, as well as an historic church and even a section of the London Wall, left over from the Roman Empire. It’s like a little town unto itself.”

After five years in a different flat in Barbican, the two were feeling cramped and moved into this space last year. When asked why they had stayed in Barbican, they matter-of-factly answered that “it’s close to work for both of us,” but for them, this “little town” must be a truly special place.