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The Barbican Centre has appointed a multidisciplinary consortium - led by Assemble and Designers Unit and working with Tactile Studio - to design an effective new wayfinding system as part of the first phase of its Renewal Programme.

Nestled within a vast complex, with numerous venues, multi-level structures, dozens of different access points and a network of pathways, the Barbican is known as much for its challenging navigation as its famous brutalist architecture, which can confound even the most seasoned visitor.

The new team has been brought on board to change that - transforming the experience of finding your way through the Barbican into something clear, intuitive and joyful, while continuing to embrace the delight of the unexpected route or encounter.

The current wayfinding system, developed by design studio Cartlidge Levene, has served the Barbican well for over two decades. As the Centre embarks on its Renewal Programme, the evolving needs of visitors, and advances in inclusive, sustainable design presents an opportunity to rethink the approach.

Chosen through a rigorous competitive process, the winning consortium stood out for its collaborative, engagement-led approach, audience focus and deep understanding of the Barbican’s architectural heritage and complexity.

The team - led by Giles Smith and Jaymi Sudra of Assemble, and David Lebreton of Designers Unit - brings together extensive expertise in architecture and design strategy - underpinned by a commitment to sustainability and social value. They will be working closely with Tactile Studio - experts in accessibility and inclusive design.

Philippa Simpson, Director of Buildings and Renewal at the Barbican, said: “We’re thrilled to announce the appointment of Assemble, working with Designers Unit, to lead the development of a new wayfinding scheme for the Barbican Centre. Assemble’s empathetic and intelligent design sensibility and impressive track record of working with communities and users make them the ideal practice to lead this process. Combined with Designers Unit’s experience in navigating challenging spaces, this expert team are perfectly placed to bring clarity to the Barbican site while retaining the magic of its complexity.”

Giles Smith, founding partner at Assemble, said: “It is a wonderful privilege to be working with such an extraordinary and well-loved institution as the Barbican Centre. We’ve long been fans of the Centre and its architecture and are looking forward to developing a wayfinding system that helps even more people enjoy its many charms.”

David Lebreton, founding partner at Designers Unit, said: “Finding your way around the Barbican Centre has always been a challenge, and I believe we could even think of it as part of its identify. So, it’s quite an opportunity, and we are both proud and very happy to take it on.”

Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said: “The Barbican Centre is one of the UK’s most iconic cultural destinations, described by Queen Elizabeth II at its opening in 1982 as ‘one of the wonders of the modern world’. 

“To guarantee the Centre’s status for decades to come, we're investing £191 million in its renewal. This funding will ensure the Square Mile remains a vibrant place where people want to live, work, learn and explore.

“It’s exciting to see the Barbican team push ahead with these transformative changes to boost wayfinding and accessibility.”

The strategy will reimagine navigation across the arts centre, creating intuitive and accessible visitor journeys where every element will be designed to enhance clarity, legibility and connection.

The Barbican’s architectural character and fabric will be honoured throughout the scheme, while plans will be future-proofed, to allow for updates without compromising the scheme’s coherence or the Centre’s heritage sensitivities. This will be particularly important during upcoming work to restore and revitalise the arts centre’s most popular spaces.

The team will now begin developing their initial proposals. The new wayfinding scheme will be delivered alongside the first phase of the Barbican Renewal programme, over the next few years.

The Renewal Programme aims to ensure every part of the Barbican’s iconic site is restored, revitalised and made relevant for future generations.

The Barbican’s principal funder - the City of London Corporation - has committed £191 million towards the first five-year phase of the programme, which represents around 80% of what’s needed to carry out the works, and fundraising is ongoing.