However, public backlash led to resubmission of slightly shorter plans in February. Three storeys were cut from the proposed office building\u2019s west side, which was reduced to 16 storeys or 10m shorter.<\/p>\n
Other changes included updates to the appearance and materials on the fa\u00e7ade, which turned from red to green, and the realignment of the western part of the site to create 2,282m2 of enhanced public space in front of the Barbican Centre\u2019s main entrance.<\/p>\n
Despite the changes, the number of objections against the scheme before the committee reached 1,827 letters, with opponents criticising the massing and scale of the development. That list included architects such as Stirling Prize winner Amanda Levete.<\/p>\n
In her objection Levete said: \u2018The building is completely inappropriate in scale and height for the setting of the Barbican development, damaging the heritage and conservation area.<\/p>\n
\u2018This speculative office building is too big and of average quality.\u2019<\/p>\n
Statutory consultees such as The Twentieth Century Society also opposed on grounds of its impact on the neighbouring Grade II-listed Barbican estate, which is owned by the City of London.<\/p>\n
Residents of the estate belonging to the Barbican Association formally objected too, as did SAVE Britain\u2019s Heritage, which complained: \u2018A building of vastly increased scale and mass in this location would adversely impact the setting of multiple conservation areas adjoining or in close proximity to the application site.\u2019<\/p>\n
When London and Chicago-based SOM first submitted plans for 1 Silk Street, Barbican Quarter Action, a group which is simultaneously opposing demolition of the Museum of London building, told the AJ that the development was \u2018a devastating blow to the architectural and visual coherence of the iconic Grade II-listed Barbican\u2019.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/barbicanhero2-scaled.jpg\")
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Comparison of submitted and revised schemes for SOM\u2019s 1 Silk Street<\/p>\n
Lipton Rogers founding partner Stuart Lipton previously said that SOM\u2019s redesigned scheme was \u2018more modest in scale, while more ambitious in public benefits. It opens itself to the community, enriches the cultural fabric of the Square Mile, and delivers clear improvements for Silk Street and its surroundings\u2019.<\/p>\n
The existing 1 Silk Street building consists of two interlinked towers designed by Fitzroy Robinson Partnership \u2013 the 17-storey Milton House to the east and 13-storey Shire House to the west \u2013 both featuring heavily glazed fa\u00e7ades.\u00a0Sheppard Robson refurbished the buildings between 1994 and 1996.<\/p>\n