Case Study: Barbican Classic

THE BARBICAN CLASSIC

A modernist kitchen in an iconic setting, our Barbcian Classic replaces the original kitchen in this Central London apartment with a mid-century inspired interior that's both sensitive to it's context, and playful in it's approach.

THE CONTEXT:

This project began, as all our projects do, with a quick chat on Zoom. The client had recently acquired a Type 20 apartment in The Barbican, Central London, and wanted a design that respected the modernist context without resorting to mimicry or pastiche.

The kitchen presented a unique challenge. Maximising storage without making the space feel cramped was essential. We also had to navigate The Barbican’s famously obscure plumbing and electrical layout, all while ensuring no damage to the Grade-II listed structure.

Despite these constraints, we successfully incorporated a full set of appliances, including a washing machine, while increasing both storage and prep space. A small kitchen, but a big win in design.

BARBICAN CLASSIC:

PRESS PHOTOS

BARBICAN CLASSIC:
PRESS PHOTOS

THE WOOD:

The client really wanted the kitchen to be made from a wood that complemented the mid-century aesthetic of the apartment, and we explored several options. Ultimately, cherry was chosen for its sustainable credentials (cherry is available from Europe with sustainabilty certification and chain-of-custody, unlike a lot of tropical hardwoods like Iroko or teak) and its beautiful burnt-sugar tone, which deepens and warms with exposure to UV light.

When planning out how the materials, we wanted to highlight the wood’s exceptional grain quality. We therefore selected the waviest, most visually striking sections of the cherry for the door and drawer fronts, ensuring the natural beauty of the wood became a central feature of the kitchen design.

DESIGN - SWITCHES + LIGHT BOX:

A key design feature in this project is the light box and accompanying band of switches. Inspired by the original upper cabinetry, we were keen to reinstate this element, as it felt perfectly in tune with the apartment’s character. The switches, specified in brushed stainless steel to echo the originals, control the Quooker tap, hob, and dimmable lighting, while a conveniently placed socket at the end makes phone charging effortless.

The light box itself is one of the defining details of our Mid-Century Classic kitchens. In this project, it takes the form of a cabinet for tableware and glassware, with sliding Diffussion Perspex doors. Behind them, LEDs glow softly, casting warm, ambient light that highlights the contents and reinforces the kitchen’s mid-century aesthetic.

BARBICAN CLASSIC:
VIDEO TOUR

SMOKED GLASS / DIVIDER:

An original feature of the kitchen is the open hatch to the living room, which brings in natural light and creates a visual connection between the spaces. The client suggested enhancing this feature by adding shelves for plants. We loved this idea (plants are always welcome in our kitchens) so we designed a mid-century-inspired framework in solid cherry, supported on a hanging dowel.

The shelves are made from smoked glass, carefully cut around the central dowel. This detail not only looks striking but also celebrates the careful articulation of the Barbican’s architecture, creating a subtle homage to the way the estate is constructed.