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A modern ark
Brutalism is a concrete-based architectural style.
This architectural style has historically generated a lot of controversies. Despite its reputation for being austere and imposing, some people express intense passion for it, while others despise it. Even those with no interest in architecture can have strong opinions on Brutalism. However, if you speak to an architect or architectural enthusiast, they are likely to extol the virtues of Brutalism's texture, honesty, and poetry.
This raises the question of how something can be so beloved by one group of people and yet so reviled by another.
The popularity of Brutalism is fascinating not only because of its unique aesthetic but also because of its underlying intent and morals. The style gained popularity from the 1960s to the end of the 1970s, but the use of concrete began much earlier, in the 1920s. At that time, concrete was being used extensively in construction due to its low cost, ability to span great distances, and versatility in terms of shape. Concrete is currently the second most consumed product in the world after water.
Following World War II, many countries sought to rebuild their ruined infrastructure while creating a sense of hope and social change among their people. Governments invested heavily in architecture and gave architects complete freedom to experiment with their ideas. These architects had a strong vision of aspect a socialist society should look like, and they saw themselves as building spaces for the people. They aimed for complete honesty and transparency in their designs, highlighting only the functional elements of the building and eschewing ornamentation or symbolism. To achieve a raw, natural look, they even went as far as detailing the concrete to make it look rougher but adding to the manual labour required.
Brutalist buildings focused on public spaces with massive atriums and balconies that spilled out onto walkways, open stairwells and corridors, water features, and planters. However, one aspect that the architects overlooked was that people didn't necessarily like hanging out in these massive concrete spaces. These spaces became neglected and began to attract unwanted activities, and the concrete itself deteriorated and weathered badly due to the lack of maintenance, making the buildings look dirty and unkempt.
Despite these shortcomings, the noble ideals behind Brutalism continue to inspire architects to this day. In a world where architects often design for developers or capitalist values, creative freedom is rarely afforded, except perhaps to the likes of Frank Gehry or Zaha Hadid. Additionally, the quality of the concrete used in Brutalist architecture is unique, and it is rare to see a building where concrete is used for both the structure and the cladding.
The quality of concrete is also noteworthy, as it is a strong and cheap material that is made with local aggregates, resulting in differing colours and textures based on local climate and geology. This gives each region's concrete a distinct quality. However, working with concrete is difficult and can lead to costly mistakes. The fact that Brutalist buildings are made entirely of concrete and often serve as both structure and cladding makes them rare in contemporary architecture.
Interestingly, Brutalism has become more popular in recent years, in part due to its photogenic qualities. Its sharp geometry, texture and intense lighting created by the angles make it a popular subject or backdrop for photography.
In today's world, where we consume so much of architecture primarily through screens rather than in person, seeing a single shot of a building that we never have to visit or live in can suddenly make us drawn to its radical qualities.
Maybe we can appreciate Brutalism precisely because it is not trying to be typically beautiful or 'normal'. Amidst a sea of agreeable monotony, I find the uncompromising confidence, raw honesty, and monolithic silhouettes of brutalist architecture increasingly alluring.
"In a world where architectural design often falls to universal appeal and homogeneity, brutalism's unapologetic and authentic expression stands out as a refreshing departure from the norm. Its bold and monolithic forms exude an unwavering confidence and uncompromising honesty, beckoning us to contemplate the very essence of structure, materiality, and space. Despite its divisive reputation, I find brutalism's visual and structural appeal increasingly alluring."
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