Sophy Twohig – a partner at Hopkins Architects – has lived in the Barbican for two years
‘The Barbican is a complete one off, a moment in time,’ she says
James and Lucy moved into their flat in Andrewes House in 2014
Their ground-floor home has an inverted arch window and looks onto the lake
Kate Wood’s home is in Brandon Mews
The retired librarian has lived in the Barbican since 1976
Photographer Aya Sekine, who hails from Japan, moved into the Barbican in the early noughties
‘It sounds a little strange but the estate has this feeling of holiday flats at a resort somewhere,’ she says
Voiceover artist Nigel Pilkington took up residence in the Barbican in 2006
He describes it as ‘a concrete oasis amidst the yin-yang complexion of living in the City’
Architect James Webb has lived in the Barbican for three years
His west-facing flat is flooded with afternoon sunlight
Wendy Spurry moved to the Barbican 11 years ago, ‘because it is quite unlike anything else in London’
As well as working in Bookmarks Bookshop in Bloomsbury, she is also a Barbican Host in the Centre at least two or three days every week
The concrete curves of London’s Barbican Estate have fuelled many a photo essay but few as personal as the work of Anton Rodriguez. A resident himself for the last three years, he was intrigued by the diverse mix of cultures, occupations and personalities around him so began knocking on doors to photograph his neighbours.
‘This project could open up some dividers and will also allow the public to get a glimpse of what goes on within the Barbican Estate,’ says the photographer, who hails from Liverpool and also works as a web and marketing manager at Folk Clothing. ‘You don’t often get to see it from the inside.’
Rodriguez got the backing of VSCO’s Artist Initiative project – which gives grants and advice to young photographers – and has now shot the first part of what will be an ongoing series uploaded to his website, Barbicanresidents.co.uk.
With an estimated 4,000 people living in the Brutalist buildings in over 2,000 flats, with no less than 140 different layouts, it’s a project that could last a lifetime. So far, his subjects range from a voiceover artist to an architect and a business development manager.
To each of the residents, he puts a set of questions. So we decided to turn the tables and direct them to Rodriguez himself…
What drew you to move to the Barbican?
It was kind of an accident. My letting agent told me about a property that was about to come on the market but didn’t mention where. As soon as I viewed the flat, I immediately took it. I have moved around different blocks and flats within the Barbican Estate in that time.
What is your favourite feature of the barbican flats?
The full height windows and bright airy spaces. I love the Twyford Barbican sink with the hidden toilet roll holder. I live in a penthouse so the barrel vaulted ceilings give an amazing sense of space. Collection of rubbish via a storage unit in the door is also a hidden benefit…
How have you found it living here?
Amazing. I don’t think I could live anywhere else in London. It’s a great community. My project about Barbican residents also has allowed me to make new friends and meet liked minded individuals.
Update: This photo essay has now been turned into a book – Residents: Inside the iconic Barbican estate.
Read next: London’s Brutalist utopias captured by Studio esinam and photographer Rory Gardiner
