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A Second Chance for the Raw and Industrial: Brutalist Architecture's Comeback
Brutalist structures, once dismissed as 'unfriendly' and 'depressing,' are making a comeback. This unique architectural style, characterized by raw concrete and bold geometric qualities, has seen criticism and acclaim in equal measure. But why has this eye-catching style suddenly become trendy again?
Most often, the labels associated with Brutalist buildings are harsh: massive - beast - eyesore - monstrosity - ugly - cold - and many more! This has led them to frequently populate the 'world's ugliest buildings lists!' Despite this inauspicious start, Brutalism has found a new lease of life.
First used by architect Alison Smithson in 1953 for an unexecuted project for a house in Colville Place, Soho, 'Brutalism' was derived from 'béton brut,' meaning raw concrete in French. Identified by architectural historian and critic Reyner Banham's review in 1955 of architects Alison and Peter Smithson's Smithdon High School at Hunstanton in Norfolk, this movement emphasized materials, textures, and construction, producing highly expressive forms.
Post World War II, the need for housing was critical while cities were left in ruins. The social, economic, and political climate significantly influenced the design concept, particularly in the use of materials and cost of development. Two remarkable buildings commissioned as social public housing projects were the Cite Radieuse in Marseille and Robin Hood Gardens in East London. These iconic structures helped establish the notion of brutalism. Cite Radieuse, a high-density multi-family residential project developed by Le Corbusier, adopted the philosophy of "home as a machine for living," emphasizing adaptability and standardization. Similarly, Robin Hood Gardens, built by the Smithsons in the early 70s, is appreciated for its noise-reducing features, like exterior concrete fins, and for its elevated walkways, known as 'streets in the sky,' intended to foster interaction between neighbors.
The Smithsons played a significant role in shaping the core tenets of Brutalism: low-cost modularity, material focus and purity, buildings reflective of their inhabitants and location, and fostering feelings of community. Brutalist architecture demonstrates "honesty of structure," as seen through the unrefined concrete, plain forms, and exposed structures, which honestly express intentions.
So, how can you spot a Brutalist building? Look for:
- Concrete, unpainted, and raw, with no covering to hide the construction.
- No two concrete surfaces look or feel the same, offering unique textures exposing gravel aggregate.
- Massive structural elements with utilitarian features creating a sense of mass, weight, and scale.
- Graphic repetition and bold, geometric qualities to provide dramatic effect and create memorable and powerful visual imagery.
The Comeback of Brutalism
ARTiculations in The Case of Brutalist Architecture affirm that not all concrete buildings are brutalists, and neither are all brutalist buildings made of concrete. The defining principle of brutalism lies in its overemphasis on the material itself and attention to the sculptural form.
Brutalist buildings, like all buildings, require maintenance. However, the cold and austere nature of the architecture, along with constraints in the materials used, contributed to their downfall. Raw concrete doesn't age well, often showing signs of water damage and decay. With high thermal conductivity, it led to discomfort in extreme temperatures. Brown stains leaked from joints due to metal reinforcements rusting from within. The exterior raw concrete also served as an attractive canvas for graffiti artists to vandalise. By the 80s, Brutalism began to symbolize urban decay, economic hardships, crime, and depression, leading to demolition drives to replace them with more socially acceptable designs.
Despite this, a quiet and growing movement emerged to protect these structures. The Victoria & Albert Museum in London preserved a three-storey section of the Robin Hood Gardens before it was demolished, explaining, "not only a style but also as a philosophy, Brutalism sought to reframe the relationship between society, architecture, and urbanism."
Shaun Carter, in his TED talk Why We Should Value our Brutalist Architectural History, reaffirmed the need to "revalue and repurpose these buildings to explore their value as cultural artefacts. They are fundamentally snapshots in time of what we thought, what we felt, and what our ethics and morals were. They are the containers of our story to tell and retell in the future"
The resurgence of Brutalist architecture is not merely a nostalgic return but a thoughtful reevaluation of its aesthetic and functional qualities. By embracing its raw materials and utilitarian ethos, modern designers and architects are reinterpreting Brutalism in a way that is both sustainable and visually striking. According to Brad Dunning of GQ, "Brutalism is the techno music of architecture, stark and menacing. Brutalist buildings are expensive to maintain, difficult to destroy, remodel or change, so they tend to stay the way the architect intended. It's return could be because permanence is particularly attractive in our chaotic and crumbling world."
- The relationship between art and architecture is evident in the revival of Brutalist buildings, as they are appreciated not only for their striking visual aesthetics but also for the cultural and historical significance they represent.
- In the realm of design, Brutalist architecture's comeback is a testament to the growing interest in sustainable and utilitarian design principles, echoing the raw and industrial ethos of the original movement.
- Lifestyle and home-and-garden enthusiasts are rediscovering Brutalist structures, viewing them as artifacts of the past that provide insight into societal values and ethics, transforming them into icons of the present and potential treasures of the future.
