The Barbican is both known and admired for being one of the most significant yet controversial pieces of brutalist architecture found in Britain today. However, with it's immersive scale, bewildering multi-dimensionality and interlocking spaces stretched over 35 acres, for many, this estate resembles a large and intimidating concrete maze, when once stepped inside, the exits are found few and far between.
Back in the 1990s, architects attempted to resolve this issue by adding the famous 'yellow line' which can be found stretching throughout the estate. The idea was to make it easier for people to navigate their way around as the line would simply guide them from one place to the next. However, more often than not it just seems to add to the confusion.
The Barbican Booklet seeks to reflect this state of confusion and disorientation in a playful and interactive way. By following the simple instruction on the front to 'follow the line', the reader is invited to start navigating their way through the booklet. By unfolding, turning and opening different sections at a time, new segments of information about the Barbican's history and architecture are revealed as they go.
The line eventually leads the reader onto the back where it reveals a map of the Barbican estate and the suggested route to take in order to put the information into better context.
Project Tags
Companies
Barbican Centre
- Arts and Culture