Brutalism is a highly controversial architectural style which flourished during the 1950s and 60s in Britain, as the capital slowly began the inauguration of rehabilitating itself as a whole – after the disastrous effects of the Second World War. Brutalism has it roots in Modernism; however, it emerged as a movement in revolt to the architectural mainstream. Brutalism attempted to come out of the Modernist movement on the basis of an undeniably honest approach to architecture, demanding that form follow function. Pioneers thought that the most successful way of doing so would be to avoid unnecessary flourishes. In other words, relying on clean lines and ‘honest detailing’. Brutalism adheres to no official definition; it is more so associated…
It cannot be doubted that the general aesthetic of Brutalist buildings to some, may conjure up dreary associations. It has been thought by many, that at first sight, they are of an ‘imposition’ of harshness. On the other hand, for many to say that the buildings of the Brutalist style do not offer anything else but an “eyesore” and that they’re an “offense” to human values, is unfair. It is unfair to strike up such negative criticism on something that was so obviously intended to offer a better life for…
Through the dominance of a completely utilitarian approach, these futuristic, otherworldly creations were forward thinking for the fact that they were designed to look into the future – not to the past – for their inspiration. They thought about it in the long run, they wanted them to stand the test of time. The buildings were designed from the inside out. The purpose of the building and what happens inside was the most important part – the outside is merely the envelope that wraps it up. “Brutalism makes the whole conception of the building plain and comprehensible. No mystery, no romanticism, no obscurities about function and circulation.” Essentially, Brutalism is a no-nonsense…
