Original provision

Film formed part of the Barbican Centre programme from the outset, and cinema facilities were included in the original design of the building. The early scheme provided for more than one cinema space, reflecting the intention that the Centre should accommodate a wide range of cultural activities within a single complex.

Location within the building

The cinemas were incorporated into the structure of the building rather than expressed externally as a distinct element. As a result, they are less immediately apparent than the main performance spaces and are reached through the internal system of foyers and circulation routes.

Some of the cinema spaces were located deep within the building, below the main levels of circulation. One cinema in particular was constructed at a considerable depth below street level, illustrating the extent to which the Barbican Centre makes use of underground space.

Design approach

At the design stage, a number of experimental ideas were considered for cinema presentation, including unconventional arrangements for seating and viewing. These ideas were not pursued, and the cinemas were ultimately designed in a more conventional form.

Reorganisation

The organisation of cinema facilities within the Barbican has changed over time. Following reorganisation in the early 2000s, only one cinema—commonly referred to as Cinema 1—remains within the Barbican Centre building itself.

Additional cinema spaces, known as Cinemas 2 and 3, are now located outside the main Centre building on Beech Street, on the opposite side of the Barbican Estate. Although physically separate, they remain part of the Barbican’s overall cinema provision.

Visitor experience

This arrangement means that visitors attending film screenings may need to move between different parts of the estate rather than remaining within a single building. The cinema programme itself has developed into a significant component of the Barbican’s activities, including screenings, festivals, and curated seasons.

Overall role

The presence of cinema within the Barbican reflects the original intention that the Centre should encompass a wide range of artistic forms rather than being limited to music and theatre. The changes in the physical arrangement of the cinemas illustrate the way in which the Barbican has adapted to evolving requirements while retaining its overall structure.