Never Too Small EPISODES Ep 36 — Barbican Studio April 22, 2020 WRITTEN BY Joel Beath Built in the 1960s, Barbican Estate is a utopia for inner city living. The estate is a massive complex of 2000 apartments, surrounded by gardens, lakes and arts spaces. Its iconic Brutalist design has seen it voted as one of London’s ugliest buildings. Architect Melanie Schubert from SAM Architects, redesigned the 41m2 apartment, dividing the existing open space with a multi-functional central unit that subtly organises each area. Concealing a washing machine, a wardrobe, and allowing for flexible storage. The apartment can be further divided with layered curtains, separating the living space from the bedroom. Restrained materials and colours throughout allow the apartment to retain its historic character and blend division elegantly.