The Barbican: Architecture and Light

Architectural photography strives to capture a sense of place. But what does this mean? And what makes for a sense of place in the extraordinary designs of London’s massive Barbican Centre?

In an introduction to his collection of stunning black and white photographs of the Barbican, Alan John Ainsworth suggests that the architects’ concern for the play of light and shadows helps create a genuine sense of place. This little-remarked aspect is perhaps one of the most important aspects of the design of the Barbican. Ainsworth’s striking photography captures this aspect of the architects’ vision in an unusual and refreshing perspective on one of the most important architectural achievements in post-war Britain.

Reviews

The Brutalist could not be more thrilled about a book of this kind. The idea goes beyond architecture, but looks at even more layers of brutalism and its tenets…Ainsworth's photographs give the structure a fresh new meaning and provide a whole new perspective on one of Britain greatest achievements. The book also contains an impressive number of contributors.

The Brutalist

Alan Ainsworth might just change a few minds with this excellent collection of black and white photographs. The Barbican is revealed in all its clandestine beauty, light and shadow accentuating sharp angles and subtle curves. These powerful shots are accompanied by a captivating series of essays exploring the form and history of the complex.

The Londonist

Using black and white photography, [Alan Ainsworth] captures the way light plays among the buildings, dipping under jutting balconies, striping concrete in shadow. A unique perspective of one of London’s greatest landmarks, it’s the love letter the Barbican has been waiting for.

City AM

‘…a portrait of the Barbican as spirited as Chamberlin Powell & Bon’s masterpiece itself…a series of gorgeously rich monochrome prints vividly capture the critical role light plays in conveying the operatic sensuousness of the Barbican’s sculptural forms…infused with a richly melodramatic palette of shadow and light that brings the estate’s sepulchral, uncompromising brutalist forms to life…[Ainsworth] has made the Barbican seem human. And this is why the book makes essential viewing and reading for anyone intrigued by how architecture and light can collude to demand an emotional response”

Ike Ijeh, bdonline.co.uk

…contains some 50 of the author’s photographs and illustrates perfectly how the orientation of the buildings, complex interplay of levels, geometry of form and fall of light and shadow over textured surfaces combine to create just this sense of place…Indeed he may have gone further and invoked its “genius loci” – the spirit of the place

Roger Simmons, Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society,

Alan Ainsworth is not only an accomplished picture-taker but also a gifted man of words. It does not happen often that I come across a photographer who knows so eloquently to put into words what he sees. Alan Ainsworth’s photographs are a most convincing demonstration of how light not only influences but transforms our perception. Rarely has it been made so visible to me that “framing by making use of light” (and that, to me, is what make these photos special) is nothing short of art. The Barbican” is a truly extraordinary book, I do highly recommend it.

Hans Durrer, F-Stop