Barbican Centre Renewal – Furniture Designer

2026-11-03

The requirement is to develop an overarching furniture strategy and bespoke designs for the Barbican Centre through the following stages: • An analysis of the proposed use of the Foyers, Conservatory, Learning Spaces, Sculpture Court and Lakeside in close consultation with the Barbican Renewal design team and using the RIBA Stage 4 design as a basis to classify types of spaces, zones, likely users and shifts at different times of the day and week, for example: o Comfortable, informal seating that can be easily moved and reconfigured for flexible use of spaces o Ergonomic design including for individuals with mobility challenges that is integrated in general seating areas o Furniture for quiet, individual work o Furniture for communal gathering o Moveable/ foldable/ stackable furniture for events held in different spaces o This analysis should also make recommendations for where bespoke or off the shelf products are most appropriate, taking into account the relationship to the Centre’s architecture, budgetary and user experience considerations. • Where agreed with the Client, bespoke design of new Furniture befitting of the Barbican Centre’s identity and history. The Furniture must: o Enhance the outcomes of the Renewal projects through complementing the Barbican Centre’s design heritage, responding to user needs and demonstrating careful coordination and consultation with the Barbican Renewal Design and Client Team. o Be innovative in minimising whole-lifecycle carbon o Demonstrate holistic inclusive design across the site o Meet the relevant British Standards for furniture • A strategy for re-use of existing furniture and incorporation in overall design site wide. • Prototyping of bespoke items. • Recommendation for off the shelf furniture products, where appropriate, to ensure successful integration into site-wide design approach • Oversee manufacture and installation on site • Creation of guidelines to ensure the furniture is used and stored as intended, via a limited set of iterations and layouts.

United Kingdom (UK)

2026-06-02