Black & Milk Masterfully Blends Past and Present in Barbican Estate Redesign
In the heart of London’s famed Barbican Estate, an iconic example of brutalist residential architecture, an apartment has undergone a thoughtful renovation that marries its historic character with contemporary design interventions. The project, overseen by the award-winning design studio Black & Milk, breathes new life into a “Type 71” flat while paying homage to the estate’s storied past.
The Barbican Estate, developed from designs by architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in the aftermath of World War II, was conceived as a utopian vision to transform a bomb-ravaged area of London. Today, it stands as a masterpiece of brutalist architecture, a shining beacon of potential for inner-city high-density residential schemes, and as Queen Elizabeth II once described it, “one of the modern wonders of the world.”
One of the estate’s gems is Gilbert House, raised on concrete pilotis over the Barbican Lake, its brutalist architecture emblematic of the genre. It was here, in a “Type 71” apartment with an L-shaped plan facing south and a running balcony linking the bedroom and living room, that Black & Milk undertook its renovation.
The project was commissioned by a recently retired couple seeking a retreat within the romantic surroundings of their favourite brutalist inner city. Olga Alexeeva, the creative director of the London-based Black & Milk, led the interior architecture and design practice, tackling the spatial challenges with substance and refinement through modern design.
“The scheme attempts to show a thoughtfulness and direction of how these important interiors can be updated and modernized while still respecting the original architectural character and atmosphere,” said Alexeeva. “These new spaces sit happily alongside original interiors through a shared knowledge and a close attention to detail.”
Alexeeva employed a minimalist touch, maintaining the 20th-century character of the apartment interiors, which had been frozen in time with pink fabric walls and bright pops of green paint. Simultaneously, she revived the space with contemporary interventions and modern conveniences.
Complementing the architecture and honing in on previous elements, such as the original kitchenette and walnut paneling, Black & Milk created a new eclectic aesthetic, taking inspiration from Barbican cultural influences and refining them into a harmonious design. The space is now filled with a collection of vintage and modern furniture and art, with great importance placed on the quality of materials and design details when renovating the Grade II-listed flat.
While maintaining the historic floor plan, a strategic approach was implemented within the spatial configuration of the apartment. As there are limitations to what can be removed structurally, the open-plan living area flooring was intentionally divided with oak wood and bespoke olive-green leather tiles to distinguish the living and dining spaces while also providing functionality.
A bespoke kitchenette designed by Black & Milk pays tribute to the brutalist apartment’s original characteristics designed by Chamberlin Powell & Bon. Enriched with modern interventions, eco-friendly materials were selected throughout, and a contrasting fiberglass finish was used for the sliding upper cabinet storage. The decor remained clean and simple, based on craft and the original design’s modernist approach.
Designing for over 20 years, Black & Milk has recently unveiled designs for other residential projects across London, including an apartment in the iconic Battersea Power Station.
With this Barbican renovation, the studio has demonstrated a thoughtful approach to revitalizing an architectural gem, striking a delicate balance between preserving its historic essence and adapting it for contemporary living.
