MADE x Barbican
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Drawing on archival research, original layouts and the pioneering work of designer Miriam Howitt, MADE has created a collection of furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories by iconic London landmark the Barbican.
Described by Queen Elizabeth II as ‘one of the modern wonders of the world’, the Barbican rose from a bomb-damaged, post-war landscape to become one of London’s best-known building complexes, a brutalist masterpiece. ‘The Barbican is an amazing example of a different way of living, where culture, community and nature are thoughtfully interwoven. Its bold, uncompromising architecture continues to resonate today because people increasingly crave authenticity and character in their living spaces’, explains Beatriz Nuno, Head of Design, MADE.
To immerse themselves in the Barbican’s brutalist aesthetic, the MADE design team took an architectural tour of the Estate, its concert halls and theatres. ‘This allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the construction process, the materials used, and the rationale behind the key shapes and forms found throughout’, says Nuno.
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‘Its bold, uncompromising architecture continues to resonate today because people increasingly crave authenticity and character in their living spaces.’
The research also led the team to discover the remarkable work of architect Miriam Howitt, who was commissioned by the Barbican Estate Office in 1967 to furnish the original show flats. ‘Miriam’s approach is closely aligned with our own at MADE. Rather than designing purely for aesthetics, she imagined the people who would live in each home. Her interiors humanised the bold architecture of the Barbican, demonstrating how these compact, highly engineered layouts could offer a sophisticated and functional approach to modern living, something that still feels highly relevant to the way we live today’, explains Nuno.
For the MADE design team, one particular flat stood out. ‘This became the starting point. Inspired by its open-plan living and dining space, we focused on creating furniture for those two rooms’. The team was also drawn to Howitt’s bold, confident aesthetic. ‘Her use of vibrant rugs and carpets throughout the show flats works to anchor the spaces, soften their scale and instantly make them feel warm, inviting and lived in.’
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‘Howitt's interiors humanised the bold architecture of the Barbican, demonstrating how these compact, highly engineered layouts could offer a sophisticated and functional approach to modern living.’
Colour and texture have been key parts of the design process from the very beginning. ‘Our ambition was to create a palette drawing from the past but updated for contemporary living.’ The team studied the archive to understand the evolution of colour throughout the Barbican’s history, looking at everything from original graphics and show-flat photography to artists’ illustrations created to promote the Estate to prospective residents. ‘MADE has a strong association with colour, so it was essential for us to introduce an unexpected twist to the final palette. The result is a balanced collection rooted in 1960s interiors, complemented by fresh, contemporary tones that bring a modern perspective’.
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‘It was important to us that the designs were informed by the Barbican’s original vision, rather than simply referencing its aesthetic.’
The MADE team has been careful to balance respect for the Barbican’s archival references with the need to create something new. ‘We wanted to understand not just the history of the building, but the thought process behind its construction, architecture and interiors. It was important to us that the designs were informed by the Barbican’s original vision, rather than simply referencing its aesthetic’.
Some of the collection will be showcased in an immersive installation at the Barbican Centre during the Festival. ‘This will allow visitors to discover the collection for themselves and explore the inspiration behind the designs.’ For Nuno, working on this project with the Barbican has further reinforced her belief that the best design should be both functional and beautiful. ‘That’s what we wanted to create with the MADE x Barbican collection’, she explains.
Words by Tamsin Kingswell
