Mark & David

Can you tell me about yourself?

I was brought up in Oxfordshire, but my father came from Dalston. My father  was born in 1914 and loved the Barbican as a piece of Architecture and a vision of a better London, sadly he had died before we bought this flat.

What is your occupation?

I am a architect and a chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects with over 20 years’ experience practicing in my field.

What drew you to move to the Barbican?

We had never really thought about actually living here, although we had a friend who lived in Lauderdale Tower in the 90s. Whilst cycling past an estate agent one day I saw the plan of this flat and called David. It was such a great floor plan and was the same price as the flat we were selling in Arsenal (year was 2001),  We decided to buy it and moved in a few months later.

How long have you lived on the estate?

14 years.

What is your favourite feature of the barbican flats?

We love the layout and the detailing because its classic Modernist, we had to do hardly anything to it when we moved in.

The resident gardens are fantastic too and the Barbican Centre of course. 

How have you found it living here?

Although it can be  nicely anonymous, it’s fascinating watching people you see all the time getting older or children growing up. 

It feels  so physically separate from the surroundings, it's very self contained, like a village or a campus with old people!

Tom & Kristina

Can you tell me about yourself?

Tom is originally from Winchester, England and Kristina was born in Florida but grew up in Michigan, US. We met 10 years ago whilst studying design at Central Saint Martins.

What is your occupation?

Tom is a partner of a design and branding agency called EACH London. Kristina is a full time mum to Iris, but also has an online homeware store called The Modernist Shelf. 

What drew you to move to the Barbican?

We owned and renovated a little 60's flat in Hackney previously, but fancied trying somewhere really central and with a bit more room. The Barbican was always somewhere we loved spending time, and so we very fortunately found this place.

How long have you lived on the estate?

Coming up to 2 years, and hopefully longer! A neighbour once said to us, once you live here it's hard to move anywhere else in London. We can see why now.

What is your favourite feature of the barbican flats?

The Floor to ceiling windows. The perfectly proportioned rooms. The mailbox/rubbish cupboard. The under-floor heating. The Barbican sink (with built in toilet roll holder!). The thick, thick concrete walls. The ingenious handle/lock on the exterior doors. The list could go on.

How have you found it living here?

Really enriching. It's interesting to find so central in London, a truly successful example of such a 'planned' residential area. The proof is in the sheer mix of folks that happily inhabit the area. The generous yet economical use of space and the care and attention to every detail, all add up to making the lives of residents so much richer. Hopefully this spirit can be retained – or at least continue to influence future developments, as we inevitability move further and further out of the heart of the city.