“It has been over fifty years since the first tenants of The Barbican Estate moved into their new homes. The Barbican Estate was designed in a Brutalist style by the celebrated British architects Chamberlin, Powell, and Bon and was aimed at young professionals working in the city. The City of London conceived the project. The three young architects had previously established their reputation by winning the 1951 design competition for the nearby Golden Lane Estate.”
Photo © David Hoffman.
David Hoffman documented life on the landmark estate, capturing not just The Barbican Estate, which was still in development, but also a very different Britain.
A different Britain
In 1975, photographer David Hoffman documented life on the landmark estate, capturing not just the Barbican Estate still in development but also a very different Britain. David wanted to document the drastic changes to the city’s landscape. The shops, cafes, and places that he and his friends were familiar with were being bulldozed and replaced with developments that were unaffordable and out of reach for them.
Photo © David Hoffman.
In a recent article for EPUK, David looks back at this time:
“A massive, imposing structure seemingly dropped from the sky, the Barbican estate typified a wider uncaring and absolute power over our environment. Its great weight, the unassailable concreteness of it, the way that it resembled a walled city with whole areas locked and gated against outsiders – all these came together to say, “You are no part of this”.
Photo © David Hoffman.
“It was the complete opposite of welcoming, reeking of wealth, and only navigable by those who knew the secrets of its confusing mazes and owned the correct keys. I did not find it attractive but did not want to portray it as evil. I felt showing its nature as objectively as possible would be more effective.” – David Hoffman.
The Barbican Estate is known for its unique and somewhat controversial architectural style, but it has become integral to London’s urban landscape and cultural scene. It represents a vision of integrated living and cultural spaces within an urban environment. The Barbican Arts Centre has become a major cultural hub that hosts various events, including concerts, theatre productions, art exhibitions, and film screenings.
Gallery
Photo © David Hoffman.
Photo © David Hoffman.
Photo © David Hoffman.
Photo © David Hoffman.
Photo © David Hoffman.
Photo © David Hoffman.
Photo © David Hoffman.
Photo © David Hoffman.
All images © David Hoffman, all rights reserved.
Find out more about David’s work and browse his photography from over the last five decades on his website.
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