Buro Happold is to provide multidisciplinary services following the City of London Corporation’s approval of a £191m funding package to support critical repairs and upgrades at the iconic Barbican Centre.

Elected members of the city corporation’s top decision-making body, the Court of Common Council, agreed the money, which represents around 80% of what is needed to fund phase one of the Barbican Renewal Programme.

A major fundraising campaign will be launched by the Barbican Centre in 2025 to enable the complete restoration and refurbishment of key public spaces at the venue.

The five-year project of works to secure the future of this internationally renowned, Grade II listed site include the Salisbury Square Development, which will house the new City of London Police HQ and multi-courts complex, and the new London Museum at West Smithfield.

The Barbican Renewal Programme aims to modernise the centre’s infrastructure in phases, unlocking potential opportunities and ensuring its future as a diverse cultural hub for arts, education and enterprise.

Guided by the Barbican Centre’s vision, Buro Happold is implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy throughout the renewal project, incorporating principles of openness, creativity, accessibility, flexibility and futureproofing.

In phase one of the renewal project, Buro Happold will focus on repairing, conserving, and rationalizing the Foyer, Lakeside, Conservatory and Catering building.

Full refurbishment of these spaces will be carried out to improve accessibility, enhance energy efficiency and future-proof the infrastructure.

In addition to phase one, Buro Happold will design replacements for the centre’s building services infrastructure, with a long-term strategy to transform it into a more energy-efficient and low-carbon solution.

As one of the world’s leading multi-arts venues, the Barbican Centre has showcased groundbreaking art from around the world for over four decades.

It reaches 1.5 million people each year with initiatives aimed at ensuring the widest possible range of people can experience the power of art.

The project will sensitively preserve the complex, respecting its Grade II listed status, and the original architectural vision of the arts centre, which is now more than 40 years old. Built between 1971-1982, the Barbican relies on aged and outdated systems, and an ambitious programme of restoration is needed.

Buro Happold partner and project principal, Emily McDonald, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the incredible project team for the Barbican Renewal project.

“Buro Happold's extensive multi-disciplinary team is joyfully celebrating this news and grateful for the collective effort that has brought us to this point.

“We eagerly anticipate developing the designs and bringing them to life over the next five years, supporting the Barbican in its next exciting chapter.”

City Corporation policy chairman, Chris Hayward, added: “This funding underlines our support for the Barbican Centre, recognising its unique role as a leading cultural institution and driver of economic growth, contributing £86m a year to the UK economy and supporting about 1,100 jobs across London.

“The Barbican Centre is central to the Square Mile’s cultural identity and plays a pivotal role in our attractiveness as a place to work and visit.”

The Barbican Renewal Programme design process – led by Allies and Morrison, Asif Khan Studio and Buro Happold – has already involved significant public consultation, with feedback and ideas being sought from the public and stakeholders, and a new, more detailed phase of consultation will begin early next year.

Subject to planning permission, construction will begin in 2027 with this first phase complete in time for the Barbican’s 50th anniversary in 2032.