Brutalism 101

Brutalism is an architectural style that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a raw, rugged, and often monumental appearance. The term "brutalism" is derived from the French "béton brut," meaning raw concrete, which is a key material used in these structures. The style became prominent in the 1950s and was particularly popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Although associated with raw concrete we do see glass timber, brick, and metal. Brutalist buildings are usually constructed with re-occurring modular elements representing specific functional zones. Such as the linking towers which often show normally hidden inner workings such as pipework.

Brutalist buildings typically feature exposed concrete surfaces, bold geometric shapes, and a focus on functionality. Many Brutalist structures are massive in scale, with repetitive patterns and a lack of decorative elements.While Brutalism has been praised for its honesty in material use and its bold, imposing designs, it has also been criticized for its stark and sometimes harsh appearance. The style has been associated with institutional and government buildings, as well as residential and educational structures.In 2015 Dirk Van Den Heuvel described brutalism as “not only an architectural style it is also a philosophical approach to architectural design striving to create simple, honest, functional buildings that accommodate their purpose, inhabitants, and location.