London's Barbican Centre: A 50-Year Search for a Friendly Face

The Barbican Centre in London is turning 50, and its brutalist concrete complex is showing its age. Famous for confusing visitors, the arts centre is due for an upgrade. Many hope this renovation will be more successful than past attempts. The name "Barbican" comes from a medieval term for a fortified gateway. The building's imposing design can still feel unwelcoming today. It took 20 years to build and opened in 1982, aiming to revive a bomb-damaged part of London with culture and housing. Yet, the centre became infamous for being hard to navigate. Visitors often follow a painted yellow line on the ground to find their way. This line was added as a simple solution to the complex's confusing layout. Past efforts to soften the building's harsh look have been criticized. One 1990s project was dismissively called "pointillist stippling," or like putting "lipstick on a fabulous gorilla." The hope is that the upcoming 50th-anniversary renovation will finally get it right.