A rare chance to transform a disused space within Barbican’s Cromwell Tower into an extraordinary home
Cromwell Tower – along with those of Shakespeare and Lauderdale – is one of the three soaring concrete structures on the Barbican estate. Designed by Peter Chamberlin, Geoffrey Powell and Christoph Bon, this particular tower was marked complete in January 1973 and measures 43 storeys, incorporating 38 levels of flats and two of penthouses at its peak. But today, we’re more intrigued by what’s at ground level. For at its foot lies a behemoth four-storey unit, measuring more than 30ft in height and 65ft in length, which is about to be converted into an exceptional living space.
The development and design is a collaboration between two practices, 6a Architects and Sanchez Benton Architects. It might seem unlikely that two firms, both established in their own right, would work together on such a project, but the two have a close relationship due to the fact that namesakes, Carlos Sanchez and Tom Benton, met while working under Tom Emerson and Stephanie Macdonald at 6a. The old practice’s expertise lies in building contemporary art galleries, artists’ studios and one-off residential projects, making them perfectly placed to take on this monumental project.
Together, the firms have envisioned a home that spans 3,100sq ft, in a palette of predominately – yes, you guessed it – concrete. Steel and glass will also be used to create expansive glazing, flooding the living space with plenty of natural light. The contemporary design looks like a shelving system of sorts, consisting of a large ground floor, which holds the open-plan kitchen and dining area, and three long levels of living spaces and bedrooms. Meanwhile, a statement steel staircase stretches from one corner of the home to the other, connecting each level in a pleasing way.
This project may only be in its early stages, but we’re keeping our eye on the design as it continues to evolve. And while we’re looking forward to seeing the completed build, we’re even more excited to see how the space takes shape as someone’s home in the future.
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