The Barbican has enchanted and enticed fans of Brutalist architecture ever since Queen Elizabeth II declared it officially open on 3 March 1982. Granted, few architectural icons are as divisive as The Barbican, and its mind-boggling complexes have led many critics to grumble and gripe over the decades. However, it’ll always have its loyal fans – many of the Condé Nast Traveller team among them. Before the Barbican Conservatory undergoes its three-year restoration and renewal in early 2027, Londoners are invited to own a part of history in the form of plant cuttings. The Barbican’s chief operating officer, Dr Philippa Simpson, said, “The Barbican Conservatory is one of the most extraordinary spaces in the country, and has been on a continued evolution since it opened.