Some really frequent questions we are all hearing or asking are, what is going on with the architecture nowadays? Where is the inspiration and the imagination? Why every new building is so flat and horrible? The answer is really complicated, but let's discuss about another truly "ugly" architecture style. Let's talk about Brutalism.
First of all, let us introduce you the Brutalism. Brutalism is an architectural style characterized by bold geometric forms, raw concrete, and a utilitarian aesthetic, primarily used in the mid-20th century. The word comes from the French phrase, béton brut, which means raw concrete.
The history begun after the WWII, from the British architects Alison and Peter Smithson, and popularized by British architectural critic Reyner Banham in 1955. The lack of construction material at housing after the World Wars, combined with the modernist movement of the late 19th, as well as the artistic reaction and rejection to previous styles, made the brutalism the perfect solution in architecture. This trend started at England and has been spread worldwide, especially at the Soviet Union, which fitted in with the totalitarianism and later connected with that.
The story of the Brutalism ends at the late 80s when the soviet union fell apart. But the "ruins" of the golden era of brutalism remain till now. There are plenty of building globally still standing, many abandoned , or semi demolished, and others that they were reconstructed. However, the minimalistic and alternative style of brutalistic buildings has gained many fans nowadays. It's inspiring many artists, photographers, interior designers, product and even fashion designers to create the renaissance of the brutalism.
It is minimal, alternative, bold, monochromatic, structured, functional and futuristic. The perfect style. On the other hand, it gives something of dark, flat, low-effort, moody, underground, heavy and Eastern European misery. But, like every style there are the good and the bad-ones.
What do you think about Brutalism?
0%Love it! I'm a fan!
0%No, just nope!
There are two opinions about the Brutalism. There are people that hate the style because of the "ugliness" and the history that haunted it. And also the embracers, who find the hidden beauty behind the graffiti and the old raw concrete. It is noticeable to say that the brutalism has been reborn the last half decade, inspiring the interior decoration styles, such as minimalism and industrial.