The Barbican is a radical project and has been designated as a site of special architectural interest for its scale, its cohesion and the quality of the architecture. The complex is architecturally important as it is one of London’s best examples of concrete brutalist architecture. A great respect and affection for the Barbican detailing and the experience and research conducted over 12 years of living in the Grade 2 listed estate was the catalyst for the reconstruction of the historic flat which occupies an 11th floor location with beautiful South West views over London. The 43 year old interior had become tired and the occupants required a set of spaces and precisely organised storage that would respond to ever changing family needs. A focus on clear practical and flexible living were therefore key to this design. This project is a personal study of living on the estate, and due to the intensity of the design development and a desire to experiment it was decided to procure the project in an unusual way. Quinn Architects subsequently rented a workshop in Camberwell and set about designing, prototyping and manufacturing every detail in the apartment directly over a period of 9 months with only the outline designs in place at the outset of the construction.