BARBICAN

The site had been left almost entirely demolished by bombing during the second world war, so the three young architects  (Chamberlin, Powel and Bon) were tasked with developing an entire city plot from scratch.

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Designs were finalised in 1959, construction was extended through the 60s and 70s, and the complex was officially opened by the queen in 1982.

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The result is London’s most ambitious and unique architectural achievements: a city within a city that is raised above street level and draws on a rich palette of references, from ancient Roman fortresses and French Modernism to Mediterranean holidays and Scandinavian design.

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Home to some 4,000 residents across 2,000 flats, organised around schools, a church, a library, an artificial lake, conservatory and an entire arts centre, no detail was left unconsidered, from the top of the 40 storey towers to the basement theatre and cinemas