Brutalist Architecture (inc. brick, metal and glass)

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About Brutalist Architecture (inc. brick, metal and glass)

Brutalist architecture is not confined to 1960-70's rough textured concrete
structures, although many people use this as a basic definition.

This group was created for architects, architectural students and others
interested in exploring that wider context of Brutalist architecture.

In clarifying what buildings are suitable for this group please read the following
description of Brutalism. This is my personal summary, but it is in accordance with
the accepted academic theory.

Brutalism can be seen as a reaction to the preceding movement of pristine white
perfection - early modernism. That pure smooth whiteness was often an applied surface,
a 'white-wash' of thin plaster over brick walls or concrete.
It didnt matter how that wall was built - providing the end result was smooth and
white.

The Brutalist movement encompassed a new way of thinking about construction. They
constructed architecture that fundamentally aimed at architectural honesty - a way
of building that exposes the rawness or roughness of the materials and the construction
process.

The Hunstanton School by The Smithsons in 1956 is often used as the first expample of
a brutalist building. It is a steel framed structure with infill panels of brickwork.
The school visually declares it's distinct catergories of its construction.



It is clear that the steel frame not the bricks that hold the building up. The famous
interior images of the changing rooms of the gym illustrate the thoroughness of this
honesty - the water pipes deposit the water openingly into the trough in the ground.




Within this aim of visually proving structural honesty many brick brutalist buildings
expose the concrete floor slab through to the exterior. Many examples of this can be
found in British housing blocks.

Sigurd Lewentz's buildings often display this constructive honesty. In his Church of St Peter
in Klippan in Sweden (1963-66) the glazing of the windows are mounted directly onto the brickwork
in a clear, even crude manner.



Finding contemporary examples of brutalist buildings is incredibily hard if using this
definition. Today's thermal requirements mean that exposing a concrete slab or metal
structure to the exterior is nearly impossible in the colder parts of the world. The
element would first have to be insulated and then clad.



I expect most buildings to be posted into this group will be of the period of the
late 1950's to 1970's. If you have a strong conviction that a building from a different
time should be included please consider the above text before posting. If you are still
unsure of a certain photo then post it and start a discussion topic about it. We welcome
considered additions to this group not simply adding photos without thinking of their
suitability.

There is a limit of 5 photos per week.
The Admins will immediately delete photos that are obviously not suitable here.