Architecture – Brutalist or Brutalism

This is the first of 3 blog posts on Brutalist Architecture. This one will serve as an intro to the style. The next one will be pics taken during my Heritage Ottawa tour with Sarah Gelbard. The final one will be pics I took of what I believe (disclaimer) to be other examples of Brutalism in the city.

Alas the name of the architecture style in English misleads (sometimes) (maybe). The name in French comes from béton brut – raw concrete. It principally refers to the fact that the buildings are constructed of concrete slabs or concrete modular elements. It was most popular from in from the 1950s to the 1970s – it is however making a bit of a comeback.

Per Cubed, there are 3 tenets to Brutalism:

1. exposes support materials such as steel and concrete – intent being a more honest rather than decorative style;
2. repeated modular elements on the exterior shape interior spaces;
3. embodies ethis in architecture by creating affordable housing imbued with high design.

Might I suggest that we give these buildings a chance? An objective look. Try not to see just see a concrete box but a sculpture of sorts. Sometimes artists have got to try something new, explore a new material, see where it can go.


Villa Goth, 1950

I was initially stumped by this one. I read that the term Brutalism was first used for a residence on this structure – so let’s humour it and go on. Seemingly there is such a thing as brick brutalism. Lets see, they are often imposing and sculptural. And honest in their presentation – that is to say not embelished.

I checked-in with Sarah who had this to say “There is debate about the origins of the word “brutalist” not all referring to raw concrete but rawness of the design as unadorned, unpretentious, etc. So when brick buildings are categorized as brutalist, the pattern is usually very straight forward.” – Well that it is isnt it!




Unité d’Habitation de Marseille
1952




The Instituto Marchiondi Spagliardi
1957




Park Hill – Renovation
1961




J. Edgar Hoover Building
1963




Tesco Shopping Centre / previously known as Obchodny dom
1962




University of East Anglia
1966




Habitat 67, 1967
Of course we’ve seen this one before when I featured Moshe Safdie (one of my favourite architecs).




Boston City Hall
1968




Preston Bus Station
1969




Trallick Tower
1972




Buffalo City Court Building
1974



AT&T Long Lines Building
1974




Yugotours Beograd
1977




Barbican Centre
1982




Louis Kahn’s Dhaka Nationoal Assembly
1982
Let us close in a country we don’t typically turn to for masterpieces. A building conceived in 1959, commission in 1962, paused in 1971, and completed in 1982.