Public Invited to Adopt Cuttings from Barbican Conservatory Before Renovation

The Barbican, a renowned cultural hub in London, is embarking on a £240 million renewal plan that will temporarily close to the public, including its beloved Barbican Conservatory, until June 2029. However, a unique opportunity allows the public to participate in preserving a piece of this iconic space.

A Chance to Take Home a Piece of History

Green-fingered readers can now adopt a cutting from the Barbican Conservatory to nurture at home during the renovations. This initiative has garnered significant interest, with the initial event on August 19th already sold out. Two further dates are available for booking.

The conservatory boasts over 1500 temperate and arid plant species within its expansive 23,000 square foot glass and steel structure. This divisive piece of brutalist architecture, originally constructed in the 1960s by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon as part of a post-war urban renewal project, has become an iconic landmark in London’s cultural landscape.

About the Conservatory

Established in 1984, the Barbican Conservatory is the second largest in London (following Kew Gardens) and provides a lush, tropical sanctuary within the building's concrete framework. It houses a diverse collection of plants, including Monstera, tree ferns, coffee, and ginger plants, alongside three pools inhabited by Japanese koi, cold water fish, and terrapins.

Adoption Event Details

The next Barbican Conservatory plant adoption events are scheduled for September 13th and December 2nd, with 20-minute slots available for a maximum of 40 attendees per session. Tickets are free, and participants can take home one cutting (from a total of 2000+) to care for, although donations towards the restoration project are gratefully accepted. The restoration, led by landscape design practice Harris Bugg Studio, will see the adopted plants re-homed alongside new additions.