Futurecity is proud to have supported Orion Capital Managers in brokering an exclusive cultural partnership with the Barbican, one of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions, celebrated for its bold Brutalist architecture and exceptional programming across music, theatre, dance, film, and visual art.
The new office development, Panorama St Paul’s (81 Newgate Street), is adjacent to St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. As part of the sponsorship, the Barbican Immersive team will curate a bold programme of original digital moving artworks for one of the highest-resolution digital public LED screens in Europe.
This monumental digital screen, designed by development architects Kohn Pedersen Fox, is over 5.5 metres tall and spans 30 metres across a new public pedestrian route between Greyfriars Square and St Martin's Le Grand, providing a striking new cultural landmark in the heart of the City. Futurecity’s cultural strategy for Panorama St Paul’s will see Orion Capital Managers become the lead sponsor of Barbican Immersive’s summer exhibitions at the Barbican Centre, demonstrating strong support for the City of London’s Destination City programme and contributing to the transformation of Greyfriars Square into the largest public square in the Square Mile. All three commitments reflect Orion’s focus on delivering an innovative, world-class development that champions internationally renowned architecture and cultural innovation.
“The new digital wall represents something unique at the intersection of business, arts, and culture—with curatorial oversight from the Barbican and cultural strategy from Futurecity. We are determined to create a place that reflects the future of the City—vibrant, thoughtful, and engaging.” Aref Lahham, Founding Partner, Orion Capital Managers
“Through this partnership, we extend the Barbican’s reach beyond its walls, bringing bold, innovative digital art into the heart of the Square Mile. We look forward to commissioning works that challenge convention and redefine what public art can be—supporting the City of London’s Destination City strategy.” Devyani Saltzman, Director of Arts & Participation, Barbican
“We are fortunate to be working with an enlightened client in Orion, world-class architects in KPF, and a blue-chip cultural partner in the Barbican. Panorama St Paul’srepresents a new model for culture-led development—where commercial ambition meets civic imagination.” Mark Davy, Founder & CEO, Futurecity
Images of 81 Newgate Street via KPF & Orion; Barbican Immersive: 'Sanctuary of the Unseen' by Marshmallow Laser Feast at the 'Our Time on Earth' exhibition at the Barbican Centre, image via MLF and Sandra Ciampone
Futurecity
As a result of the Destination City initiative, Futurecity has delivered 15 major cultural strategies in the City of London. These include new premises, fresh funding, and public–private partnerships with leading cultural organisations such as the Museum of London, the Migration Museum, the Barbican, and London Tunnels. This work has also provided much-needed support and opportunities for artists, creative industries, and new spaces such as Seed130. Our efforts are helping to transform the Square Mile into a globally recognised cultural and civic destination.
Images: Migration Museum - 3XN & Dominus; London Tunnels - WilkinsonEyre & DBOX; 'Intersections' by Harold Offeh at Holborn Viaduct, created in partnership with Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA); and 'Move 37' exhibition by Mat Collishaw at Seed130