Photo by Laura Ockel. .

Top 10 Things to know about Brutalist Architecture


 

The brutalist architecture is a creation of the efforts to rebuild United Kingdom after the ravages of World War. After the war, there seemed to be no signs of life. Life was desolate and plain. Most buildings had been destroyed in the war.

It has been argued that at this point brutalist architecture was more of a necessity than a style. Proponents of this argument highlight that at this point brutalist architecture was ego to because it required minimum raw materials and was simple to develop. This was a huge catch since there was no economic muscle due to the effects of war.

This architectural style characterized by the use of block-like forms, usually made from cast concrete or brick. It is further defined by 鈥楳assive鈥 heavily-textured raw concrete (beton brut) and angular geometric shapes. Brutalism thrived between the mid-1950s and 1970s. Here are the Top 10 Things to know about Brutalist Architecture.

1. The style was popular with government buildings in the 1930s

Photo by BDS.Photo.

Due to the relatively low cost of concrete and surplus of energy, Brutalism was popular for rebuilding government buildings and providing social housing in 1930s. This was shortly after the war when the government did not have sufficient funds to build glamourous structures.

The functionality of the building was prioritized over it’s form. Europe’s major cities were heavily bomb-damaged, while the need to clear urban slums, and a widespread desire to improve the lot of the common citizen, inspired largescale rehousing projects across much of the continent.

2. The style was influenced by Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier was a Swiss modernist architect. His Unite d鈥橦abitation in Marseilles used raw concrete and is seen as an early example of Brutalism. He was a major influence on many of the architects that helped define the brutalist movement.

3. The style is called brutalist architecture for a reason

Photo by Pavel Nekoranec. .

The term brutalism referred to the functional raw concrete buildings. The word Brutalist Architecture was informed by the use of  raw concrete (beton brut) and angular geometric shapes that seemed brutal.

The style is characterized by rough unfinished surfaces, heavy-looking materials, unusual shapes, huge forms and small windows in relation to the other parts of the building.

4. The term New Brutalism was coined by Hans Asplund

Photo by Zoltan Fekeshazy. .

Hans Asplund used the term New Brutalism to describe Villa G枚th, a modern brick home in Uppsala. It was designed in January 1950 by his Bengt Edman and Lennart Holm. Hans Asplund was a Swedish architect.

The term was picked up in the summer of 1950 by a group of visiting English architects. This was inclusive of Michael Ventris, Oliver Cox, and Graeme Shankland. It was said that the name “spread like wildfire, and [was] subsequently adopted by a certain faction of young British architects”.

5. A power couple is part of the Brutalist Architecture development

Together, Alison and Peter Smithson are known as the couple that 鈥渓ed British Brutalism鈥 in the late 20th century. Alison was born in South Yorkshire, Peter, in North-East England. The two met at Durham University and tied the knot in 1949.

After graduating, they worked with London County Council鈥檚 Architecture Department, taking part in urban planning. Later they established their partnership in 1950. Their notable works include 鈥淭he Economist鈥 at Picadilly, London, and the Garden building at St. Hilda鈥檚 College.

6. Brutalist Architecture is part of the socialist architecture

Photo by Pavel Nekoranec. .

The style was inspired by the idea of a perfect society. The architects who pioneered the Brutalist style believed that their buildings could help to create a better and equitable world.

This is mainly because of the low cost and speedy construction associated with concrete. While not all Brutalist buildings were intended to be explicitly socialist, the style is often associated with this idealistic worldview.

7. Brutalist Architecture has featured in several movies

While Brutalist architecture is not everyone鈥檚 cup of tea, it has been used in some famous dystopian movies. One of the most famous is George Orwell鈥檚 鈥1984鈥, which features the imposing Ministry of Truth, a massive Brutalist building made entirely from concrete. Other examples include 鈥淓scape from New York鈥 and 鈥淏atman Begins鈥, both of which feature Gotham City鈥檚 grim, imposing Brutalist buildings.

8. Later on, the style began to decline

Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante. .

Brutalist architecture began to decline in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. This was due to several factors, including the high maintenance cost and the fact that the style was often seen as ugly and oppressive.

Many people also felt that Brutalist buildings were not functional and lacked warmth and personality. In the 1990s, there was a resurgence of interest in Brutalist architecture, but it has never regained its former popularity.

9. Brutalist Architecture is starting to make a comeback in the industry

Over the past decade a revived appreciation for brutalism has emerged: with brutalism-focused coffee table books flying off of the shelves of design museums worldwide.

Additionally, buildings that were once considered eyesores are now receiving funding for renovations and are attaining landmark-level admiration and listed status. GQ鈥檚 Brad Dunning has a simple theory for brutalism鈥檚 revival, he explains, 鈥溾aybe the movement has come roaring back into style because permanence is particularly attractive in our chaotic and crumbling world.鈥

10. Brutalist Architecture has faced a lot of criticism

Photo by Jan Weber. .

Brutalism has some severe critics, including Charles III, whose speeches and writings on architecture have excoriated Brutalism, calling many of the structures “piles of concrete” and likening them to “a monstrous carbuncle”.

A 2014 article in The Economist noted its unpopularity with the public, observing that a campaign to demolish a building will usually be directed against a Brutalist one. One argument is that this criticism exists in part because concrete fa莽ades do not age well in damp, cloudy maritime climates such as those of northwestern Europe and New England. In these climates, the concrete becomes streaked with water stains and sometimes with moss and lichens, and rust stains from the steel reinforcing bars.

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