THE BARBICAN ESTATE

Brutalism, anyone? Yes please. I visited the Barbican estate at the weekend, shamefully the first time I had visited, it will definitely not be the last.

The Barbican is a housing estate which encompasses, an arts centre (comprising two theatres, a concert hall, a library, an art gallery, three cinemas, a conservatory, offices, restaurant, shops and foyers), City of London School for Girls, YMCA and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. All but the arts centre (which followed in 1982) were built between 1965 – 1776.

The site was bombed flat during the Second World War, a target of regular bombing as part of the Blitz campaign. Following the war there was concern that the number of residents had dwindled very significantly. What was a very old part of London, the site is on the northern edge of what was once Roman Londinium, you can see parts of the old London Wall on and around the estate, became very new when work on the development began.

In 2001 the Barbican complex became a Grade Two Listed Building and a site of special architectural interest. I know many would disagree and deem it an eyesore, but I wholeheartedly disagree. It is beautiful, powerful and created an impact on my mind and body.

It feels super solid when you are walking the ‘highways’ between blocks, here to stay. The barreled balconies create lips into the courtyard which at its centre flows water out of a large ‘pipe’ through the length of the courtyard, fountains pitched in between. I defy anyone to visit and not breathe out a quiet ‘wow’ at this site from above.

On the sunny Saturday that I visited the courtyard had a good hum of people having tea, a spot of dinner and just hanging out with friends or family. Some had been to the library, others like me had been to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition, and some they had just come to be here and meet their friends.

Needless to say, the Barbican made a deep impression on me. I love the impactful architecture, the sure-footedness of it. It is beautiful to my eye and I know long to live there! What do you think? A fan of brutalism? Or not? 

EXPLORING LIKE A TOURIST - July

Hello, hello, I'm sorry it's been a while, I had second thoughts about blogging, but then I had third, fourth and fifth thoughts and decided I have nothing to loose, so I am back.

Today I went on a jolly in my own beautiful and dirty city of London. I love exploring like a tourist every so often, and I am lucky that my city is big enough that I ALWAYS find new treasure. Today's exploration began at Warren Street tube for no real reason other than I decided to get off the tube then on a whim. Today my eye was drawn to architecture for the most part, shall we get started?

One building, four purposes....

I headed down a side road for this gem...

Then I stumbled upon the London Temperance Hospital, which is a derelict hospital, purported to be haunted and pretty cool, though my photos do not do it justice, I just really wish I could have persuaded the security guard to let me in for a walk around, he was having none of it, really NONE OF IT.

The London Temperance Hospital (later renamed The National Temperance Hospital), opened in 1873 with a board of twelve abstainers. At that time alcohol was prescribed as medicine and frequently consumed by patients, doctors and nurses. It went on to open a children's wing and during World War Two became a '1A Casualty Station'. The hospital as a building closed in the 1980's when it was used as a nursing school. Some of the archives were found in the basement and are available to read here, and you can see a few more photos here.

Continuing northwards, I saw some cool blocks of flats...

And then, I came across this oddity/gem. I researched it a little bit when I got home, and it is the old Carreras cigarette factory, built in 1926. Though most of the detailing is lost now, it was a great example of early twentieth century Egyptian revival architecture. It was also one of the first buildings to install air conditioning.

A sweet window sill that I spotted...

This epic-ness was atop a boarded up house in Camden.

So, I got hungry and thirsty and ate a whole days worth of calories in one sitting displayed below. Ha!

I got myself some green when I hopped into Regent's Park and walked barefoot in the grass because it makes me feel good. They have really pretty formal gardens too here...

Then I sat on a bench and this cool dude came up to me....

I headed out of the park and down Baker Street, on to Oxford Street, indulged in a little retail therapy, sorry, what?! Yes, still unable to control that urge, there would have been shoes too had a sales assistant not been so scarce that I had a moment to pause and think. Then into Berkeley Square where I happened upon this glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly. It lights up at night too! It's there until December, if you fancy a peek.

My legs were tiring, so I decided to call it a day and got the bus home. I had a beautiful day as a tourist in my own city. I am a south-of-the-river girl, so getting a little north in my life was pretty cool. Not that I will ever change 'sides' but still, London is amazing wherever you are on the compass.

SUNDAY STROLL - part two

Welcome back to part two of the Sunday stroll (you can find part one here), we start on the east side of Westminster bridge with some friends hanging out in the shade....

Yes, that is a boat on the roof. It's a hotel room that you can book, pretty cool right!?

Southbank skate park...

So true...

A bike tour in progress near Gabriel's wharf...

A street Picasso?

Some patriotism on display....

And finally we arrive at the Millenium Bridge, otherwise known as the wobbly bridge. It heads straight over to St Paul's Cathedral on the north bank of the river Thames.

Thank you for coming along on my Sunday stroll, I have enjoyed your company. Go and put your feet up and have a nice drink of something cold.