Centre for Music
“The Centre for Music will enhance the status of London as one of the world’s leading cultural capitals, delivering major new benefits to the city and the UK’s musical life, educational offer and international reputation. We believe the project will have the equivalent impact on music in the capital as the opening of Tate Modern had on contemporary art almost two decades ago.
“The shared ambition and experience of the project partners, the availability of a key site and the support of the City of London Corporation have all aligned to create a once in a generation opportunity to transform how music is experienced in London and beyond.”
Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director, Barbican
The Centre for Music will be a world-class venue for performance and education across all musical genres, harnessing the power of three internationally recognised cultural organisations – the Barbican, London Symphony Orchestra and Guildhall School of Music & Drama – to inspire a new generation with a love of music.
The concept designs, developed by lead architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, demonstrate the potential to deliver this landmark new building on the current Museum of London site. The City of London Corporation has agreed in principle to make this site available for the Centre for Music when the Museum of London fulfils its ambition to move to West Smithfield.
The light-filled, multi-level foyer presents a porous entry, accessible from street level and via the Barbican’s highwalk network, while the concert hall is designed as an intimate and inclusive space for up to 2,000, in which every seat in the house is a great seat. Its design is tailored for exceptional symphonic sound, yet agile enough to accommodate creative work across all disciplines. Acoustically controlled pods integrated into the hall seating provide visual porosity for education work.
At the very top of the building sits The Coda, a flexible, intimate contemporary performance and events space with views to St. Paul’s and the London skyline. The Coda acts as a beacon affirming the Centre for Music’s place as a cultural destination for the city.
