The Barbican Centre (1980-01-23/1980-01-23) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Building Cinema 1
In order to fit everything in, the architects of the Barbican had to dig deep, as well as build high.
The Barbican Centre (1980-01-22/1980-01-22) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Building Cinema 1
The deepest point of the Barbican Centre is Cinema 1, an auditorium which seats 280 people.
The Barbican Centre (1980-02-17/1980-02-17) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Building Cinema 1
Cinema 1 sits 17 feet below sea level.
Barbican Arts Centre Cinema Section (1969) by Chamberlin, Powell & BonBarbican Centre
Barbican Cinema 1
This is an elevation of the Barbican's main screen.
Barbican Cinema 1
Early plans for the Barbican cinemas involved following a recent fashion for projecting films on the ceiling, so people could watch lying down.
Barbican Cinema 1
Not ideal for snacking or drinking.
Barbican Arts Centre Cinema 2'0" Level Plan (1969) by Chamberlin, Powell & BonBarbican Centre
Barbican Cinema 1
Here is an overview of the proposed layout of the Barbican's main screen
The Barbican Centre (1980-02-18/1980-02-18) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Cinema 1
The seating in Cinema 1 is ‘raked’: in rows arranged on a steep slope with steps down either side, like the terraces at a football pitch. This means that audience members can see over each others’ heads.
Cinema 1Barbican Centre
Cinema 1 today
Cinema 1 has been refurbished since the Centre opened in 1982. Here is what it looks like today.
Barbican Sessions: Christoph Sietzen (2018/2018) by Barbican Centre and Christoph SietzenBarbican Centre
Watch this recent performance by percussionist Christoph Sietzen, recorded in an empty Cinema 1.
