The first phase works contract will be worth £22.5m, while the full programme of planned works is expected to rise to £185m over a decade of improvements to the grade II listed complex.

The Corporation of London’s Barbican Renewal programme aims to deliver an exemplar of sensitive and sustainable conservation and retrofit for one of the UK’s most significant post-war buildings.

This will include an urgent programme of replacement and upgrade of key building systems.

Tilbury Douglas Engineering will deliver full air conditioning and controls replacement in the big concert hall auditorium, the theatre and art gallery areas.

The works programme will also bring underused spaces into new creative use and deliver environmental improvements that reduce water usage and increase biodiversity across the site.

Architect Allies and Morrison, Asif Khan Studio and Buro Happold are part of the design team leading the renewal programme.