Brutalist architecture is often misunderstood as being cold and imposing, but its true significance lies in its values of common good, human struggle for well-being, and social change. The style flourished from the 1950s to the 1980s, characterized by monumental geometric shapes, utilitarian use of materials like concrete, brick, and glass, and an emphasis on honest expression.
Founded by historian and critic Reyner Banham in 1955, Brutalism was a reaction against overly theorized modernism. Its core ideas include easily visible interior plans, direct expression of structure, and valued building materials that are essential to the design. The philosophy behind Brutalism is not just about aesthetics but also about creating social change.
Brutalist buildings often signified devotion to social reform, aiming to upend preexisting hierarchies and divisions. Public colleges and universities in the US erected structures like Walter Netsch’s University of Illinois-Chicago campus, while Harry Weese’s Forest Park Community College in St. Louis made a junior college appear as a temple.
In Europe, Brutalist works like Erno Goldfinger’s Trellick Tower and Alison and Peter Smithson’s Robin Hood Gardens demonstrated the potential for working-class people to live in modern apartments with new ways of living. Le Corbusier’s Convent at Sainte Marie de La Tourette in France and Georges-Henri Pingusson’s Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation in Paris commemorated the victims of World War II.
In Eastern Europe, Brutalism symbolized the rebirth of a people, as seen in housing projects and commercial blocks in New Belgrade. The Jasenovac concentration camp in Croatia was transformed into a massive concrete monument by architect Bogdan Bogdanović, embodying hope for overcoming the darkest hours of the 20th century.
Today, Brutalist architecture continues to convey its earnest message – that a new world is possible. Its enduring impact lies not just in its design but in its ability to inspire hope and social change.
Source: https://theconversation.com/brutalism-the-architectural-style-that-dared-to-summon-a-new-world-from-the-ashes-of-world-war-ii-248957