Barbican Estate Retrofit

Balancing Heritage and Sustainability at the Barbican Estate

Chosen by our Managing Director and founder, Andy Love, the Barbican Estate holds a special place in the history of Love Design Studio.

The Barbican project has been an intriguing exploration of the tension between heritage and sustainability, especially when working with a site of such iconic stature. Now in the hands of the council and residents' association, it raises a significant question: does preserving the aesthetic and character of the Barbican Estate take precedence over achieving meaningful energy savings through retrofitting?

When the City of London approached us in 2021 on behalf of the Recognised Tenants Association (RTA), the project presented an exciting opportunity to contribute to the next chapter of this architectural landmark. The RTA wanted to explore interventions that could reduce energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and improve comfort for residents, all while respecting the estate’s Grade II-listed status. As one of our earliest projects, it allowed us to tackle a unique and iconic urban experiment, marrying its bold Brutalist architecture with contemporary sustainability challenges.

It was a privilege to work on such a scheme so early in Love Design Studio’s journey, especially considering how often I visit the Barbican in my own time. Whether it’s the galleries, the Conservatory, or just finding a quiet spot to work outside the office, the Barbican is a constant source of inspiration.

The estate was completed in 1982 and is home to over 4,000 residents across approximately 2,000 flats, maisonettes, and houses. It is also renowned for its mixed-use development, including cultural spaces like the Barbican Centre, which hosts galleries, theatres, and the lush Conservatory, a favourite of our founder.

The RTA proposed a range of interventions to improve the energy efficiency of the estate and enhance thermal comfort, including:

• Insulating external soffits and barrel-vaulted roofs

• Enhancing ventilation systems

• Adding local controls to the underfloor heating

• Improving insulation within dwellings and common areas

Love Design Studio was tasked with evaluating these interventions, balancing the technical requirements for sustainability improvements with the need to preserve the Barbican’s architectural and cultural integrity.

Applying PAS 2035 and Financial Feasibility Studies

As part of our approach, we applied PAS 2035 principles, the UK’s framework for delivering effective retrofit projects. This ensured a holistic evaluation of the estate’s needs, focusing on measures that could deliver long-term benefits while maintaining a fabric-first approach. By following PAS 2035, we ensured that the solutions we proposed were technically sound, financially viable, and aligned with resident well-being and heritage preservation. We performed parametric modelling, using dynamic simulation modelling (DSM), to assess the energy and carbon savings of each proposed intervention and racked up over 7,500 model iterations.

The Challenge of Retrofitting a Heritage Site

What was surprising,  was uncovering that the Barbican’s communal heating system was distributed via an electric underfloor heating system. Originally designed to utilise the estate’s Brutalist concrete structure as a thermal mass, the system effectively functions as a heat battery, storing and gradually releasing warmth throughout each block. While this design was ahead of its time, maintaining an internal background temperature of 15.6°C, it also has significant limitations.

In the past, residents had limited control over the system, with no individual timing options and minimal temperature adjustment within flats. The heating schedule and load input were determined centrally by City of London management, leading to inefficiencies and frustrations, particularly as energy costs rise.

This was paired with CAPEX (capital expenditure) and OPEX (operational expenditure) calculations to determine the financial feasibility of each measure. Our analysis provided the Recognised Tenants Association with detailed insights into the return on investment (ROI) for each intervention and enabled informed decision-making for both residents and the City of London.

We also conducted site visits to understand the unique challenges across different block types, assessing flats in:

• Andrewes Block (Flat type 21)

• Seddon House (Flat type 26)

• Shakespeare Tower (Flat type 8)

• Ben Johnson (Flat type M3B)

• Gilbert House (Flat type 36)

The estate’s architectural identity, cherished by residents and celebrated globally, makes it particularly challenging to implement substantial changes without compromising its historical and cultural significance. Adding to the complexity, the Barbican is already an all-electric site, meaning it avoids fossil fuels by default. However, the pressing need lies in enhancing efficiency and reducing energy demand; measures that are inherently difficult to reconcile with the estate's design constraints.

This project has left me wrestling with familiar frustrations about the frequent dominance of heritage concerns over energy efficiency. Yet, for once, I find myself questioning whether significant investments in retrofitting here are justifiable. The benefits may primarily serve the wealthier residents of the estate, prompting me to wonder whether such resources could make a greater impact if directed toward initiatives that address energy poverty or support those in greater need.

At the same time, I think I’m being swayed by the sheer challenge of it all. If we can make a success of the Barbican, introducing efficiency measures that do not compromise the vibe and purpose of the estate, then we can prove to the world, and to any heritage lover, that if we can do it here, we can do it anywhere. And that, I believe, would be a truly powerful statement.