The Barbican recently opened its new, larger, more accessible shop. Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the 330 sqm shop is spread over two floors and provides ample room to host events and bring the Barbican's programme into its retail spaces. The shop features new ranges inspired by the Barbican's artistic programme and design heritage, with a spotlight on emerging talent.
"We're really pleased that the design as realised has achieved all that we had hoped for, a discreet yet accessible presence within the Barbican foyers," commented Peter Morris, Project Director at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. "The carefully composed displays bring an enjoyable new moment at this point of entry (from Silk Street) while, importantly, the long views across the foyers are preserved.
"Working within the language of materials which was established in our 2006 overhaul of the Barbican's public spaces, the new shop looks as though it might just have always been there, while its split level arrangement with new lift and staircase brings the mezzanine into ready use for all the Centre's visitors in a whole new way."
"Expanding the shop has given the Barbican the opportunity to work directly with designer-makers to create exclusive lines inspired by our architecture and artistic programme," said Adam Thow, Head of Retail at the Barbican. "Our Makers initiative gives designers a great platform for exposure to our large and eclectic audiences and we look forward to hosting events, from workshops to signings. With more than three times the space of our old shop, our ranges have room to breathe and our guests have room to sit and relax, it's a natural and brilliantly executed extension of our foyer spaces."
Photography: Nicholas Triantafyllou