Jack Waller Scrapbook Pags 316 and 317 of London Illustrated News in Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by Jack WallerBarbican Centre
Documenting the Barbican
In our archive collection we have a scrapbook which includes news clippings about the building of the Barbican.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 29 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by Jack WallerBarbican Centre
The scrapbook was collated by structural engineer Jack Waller, who worked on the Barbican site and documented its development.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page Five of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by Jack WallerBarbican Centre
Waller cut out articles from newspapers, starting from when the build first began and through to the eventual completion of the Barbican.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page Eight of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by Jack WallerBarbican Centre
There was some initial fanfare
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 13 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by Jack WallerBarbican Centre
and excitement about the City being 'reborn' following extensive bombing during the war.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 38 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959)Barbican Centre
However, the news clippings go on to show how the coverage of the Barbican took a more negative turn.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 23 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by Jack WallerBarbican Centre
One of the recurring themes is how much the building project went over budget and beyond schedule.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 75 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959)Barbican Centre
The cost of the build spiralled as the years went by.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 34 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by Jack WallerBarbican Centre
In this article, there is outrage that 'twenty years after, and still the Barbican site is a desert'.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 40 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959)Barbican Centre
The reports also show some of the challenges of building on the Barbican site
including changing the route of the tube line between Moorgate and Aldersgate (later renamed Barbican).
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 50 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by PentagramBarbican Centre
In 1965, the City of London estimated that the annual rent for a Barbican flat could range between £210 for a one room flat and £830 for six rooms.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 26 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959) by Jack WallerBarbican Centre
The flats were aimed at City workers, and there was some derision in the news about the cost of such a development.
Jack Waller Scrapbook Page 79 of Jack Waller scrapbook (1959)Barbican Centre
Interested in reading more?
Scandal about the build later erupted into a series of workers' strikes about pay and working conditions. Learn about the Battle of the Barbican here.
