13 I chose to speak about the Barbican at the ARTiculation awards because it is my favourite building, but not solely because of its minimalist aesthetics, rich culture and creative appeal, but predominantly because of its ingenious, thorough and long term design. Britain is in the middle of a housing crisis which I deem to be utterly inexcusable, and I strongly believe that a vast deal could be learnt from Chamberlin, Powell and Bon’s architecture. Our country immensely requires metropolitan thinking in order to construct new estates, which resonate the communal, secure and poetic properties of the estate. An abolishment of cheap, poorly designed and short-term housing estates which are mortifyingly emerging across England is required. Clever design must be installed. Although the Barbican is not an example of social housing, high rise living is a successful option for urban social living, and, with modern adaptations including sustainable consideration, Barbicaninspired council estates would bring Britain one stage further out of our crisis. To conclude, the Barbican remains a radical, forward-thinking and lyrical piece of construction which continuously inspires me. By Poppy Skingle
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