Brutalism

Discover the Beauty of Brutalism: Embrace a Bold New Way of Seeing!

What is Brutalism

Brutalism is an architectural style that emerged in the 1950s and flourished in the 1960s and 1970s. It is characterized by the use of exposed raw concrete and steel, angular forms and geometric shapes, and a focus on functionality rather than aesthetics. The term “Brutalism” is derived from the French phrase “béton brut”, which means “raw concrete”.

Origins

Brutalism is a style of architecture that first emerged in the mid-twentieth century as a reaction against the sleek modernism of the International Style. It was initially associated with the works of Le Corbusier, who was one of the pioneers of the style. However, the term “Brutalism” was actually coined by British architects Alison and Peter Smithson in 1953.

Key elements

The key elements of Brutalism include large, modular forms; plain surfaces; and the predominance of exposed concrete, which is often used in bold geometric shapes. Other materials such as brick, steel, and glass may also be used.

World war influence

Europe was heavily affected by World War II and its architecture was greatly impacted. Many cities and towns across Europe were destroyed or heavily damaged from bombing and warfare. In the immediate aftermath of the war, Europe saw a drastic change in its architecture. Cities had to rebuild and many temporary structures were built in place of the destroyed buildings.

Post war era

Brutalism was popular in post-war Europe, and is still used today for public and institutional buildings. It is often used for educational, governmental, and religious buildings, as it conveys a sense of solidity and permanence. It is also gaining popularity in residential architecture, as homeowners appreciate its modern, minimalist aesthetic.

Web Brutalism

Web Brutalism is a relatively new trend in web design that has been gaining traction in recent years. This style of design is characterized by its rough, raw aesthetic with heavy use of text, basic shapes, and a minimalistic approach. Web Brutalism eschews the sleek, polished look of modern web design in favor of a more edgy and industrial feel.

examples

Hotel forum, Krakow

Construction of the hotel was relied on the project by Janusz Ingarden began in 1978 and lasted for over 10 years. The official opening took place in 1989. At the time, it was one of the most modern buildings in Krakow. The hotel had four stars and was incorporated into the IHG hotel system. It had 278 rooms, including 19 single rooms and 15 apartments, and was fully air-conditioned. Inside, there were 2 restaurants, a grill bar and a drink bar. The hotel had, among others, a photocell door, automatic flush in the toilet, and an electronic outdoor clock with a thermometer and calendar.

The National Theatre, London

The Royal National Theatre of Great Britain, commonly known as the National Theatre (NT) within the UK and as the National Theatre of Great Britain internationally, is a performing arts venue and associated theatre company located in London, England. The theatre was founded by the actor Laurence Olivier in 1963, and many well-known actors have performed with it since.

Embassy of Czechoslovakia, Berlin

The buildings was constructed as the embassy of Czechoslovakia from 1974 to 1978 to a design by the architects Vera Machonina, Vladimir Machonin and Klaus Pätzmann on what was then Thälmannplatz (until 1949: Wilhelmplatz).