What is Brutalism
Understanding this unique architectural style.
The most striking architecture you’ve never noticed.
Chances are you have seen brutalist architecture without really realizing it. This striking and somehow timeless building style creeps up on you. Brutalism is a style of architecture which has its origin in the 1950’s in post war Britain. In response to reconstruction projects, brutalism emphasised minimalist design and emphasised structural strength, making use of exposed brick and concrete and minimal, if any, embellishments.
As striking as this style can be, it can also be very subtle. It blends into urban environments and city centres and once you start to look around you might see aspects of it in buildings you pass on a daily basis.
The style commonly makes use of exposed, unpainted concrete or brick, angular geometric shapes and a predominantly monochrome colour palette, (while) other materials, such as steel, timber, and glass, are also featured.
Some famous brutalist examples:
There are multiple examples of Brutalist architecture in the UK, however, this architectural style found specific traction in the former Soviet Union.
Some of the most remarkable and striking examples are found within the borders of the former USSR. The projection of strength, and the no-nonsense approach to functionality, with no time (or resources) wasted on nostalgic beautification, found a great following among the Soviet elite. Soviet architects took brutalism to the extreme, not only creating government buildings and housing projects in the style, but also allowing it to spill over into memorials and monuments.
For a full discussion on Soviet Brutalism and the 9 iconic buildings which best depicts it, read more at The Collector.
For the “softer” side of Brutalist architecture, one can look to the UK. The birthplace of Brutalism.
Once again, many official buildings and housing projects follow this style. Here are some of the most striking examples, as discussed by HGTV.
Other important brutalist buildings can be seen here:
Bringing brutalism into your home
This might be one of the most Marmitiest design styles we have ever covered
If you like brutalist architecture, chances are you LOVE it, but if it’s not your thing, you probably can’t stand it at all. So, if it is a big NOPE for you, feel free to click away…Because we will now be telling you how to embrace this forceful architecture and bring elements of brutalism into your home.
It’s all about the concrete
While brutalists saved money on embellishments, they made up for it by using way more concrete than necessary. Massive pillars, oversized slabs and protruding geometric shapes or domes cast in exposed concrete ruled the brutalist movement. While this made sense for official buildings, it is a difficult vibe to bring to your residential space. Where brutalism can work, however, is as an inspiration for a minimalist, modern aesthetic.
Greyscale or monochrome colourways in cooler colours like charcoal, ash and gunmetal with black accents are all true to the brutalist style book. An easy way to bring a hint of brutalism home is with an “unfinished” cement floor. (Although it should only appear unfinished and be properly sealed and installed by and expert.) Exposed brick, and concrete accents like built in beds or seating (feel free to add custom made matrasses and pillows) all add to a brutalist look.
Wood, metal and glass
Geometric shapes made from unadorned wood, metal and glass are also lovely ways to give your home a modern brutalist feel. Minimalist, “raw” or exposed building materials and straight lines are the way to go.
Only looking for a hint of Brutalism?
Brutalist design features can add interest to your garden, without you having to make major structural changes to your home. This style works exceptionally well with a xeriscaped drought resistant formal garden. Concrete is an affordable and durable material for seating, walls and planters. A concrete pillar or exposed brick at your outdoor entertainment space can add brutalism without being brutal on your eyes.
What we love about taking the brutalism outside is that you can soften it with your landscaping. Fed up with the harsh look of your garden? Soften the lines or your planters and walls by adding flowering shrubs and creeping plants. Changing up a square or geometric pot for a rounder, softer shape will also immediately soften the lines of your garden.
Now you know.
Brutalism might not be for everyone, but it is still an important architectural style to take note of. Whether it is simply for historic interest, or because you want to avoid it by all costs, knowing what you call that angular grey building you pass on the way to work, can be a conversation starter in the tearoom. Or not…(Maybe Homemakers is the only office where we talk about buildings and designs instead of the most recent Bokke game.) We are the renovation and designs geeks after all!
