HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

SEMESTER 6

LECTURE 4
 INTRODUCTION
Brutalism is an architectural style that spawned from the
Modernist architectural movement and which flourished
from the 1950s to the1970s. The early style was largely
inspired by the work of Swiss architect, Le Corbusier(in
particular his Unite de habitation building) and of Mies
Van der Rohe. The term originates from the French béton
brut, or "raw concrete". Brutalist buildings are usually
formed with striking blockish, geometric, and repetitive
shapes, and often reveal the textures of the wooden forms
used to shape the material, which is normally rough,
unadorned poured concrete.
Brutalism is related and similar to (and often confused with)
the Modernist, and Internationalist styles of architecture.
All of these styles make heavy use of repetition and
regularity in their features, but brutalist designs also often

STYLE
incorporate striking, the irregularities.

Another common theme in brutalist designs is the

exposition of the building's functions -- ranging from
their structure and services to their actual human use -- in
the exterior of the building. In other words, Brutalist style
is "the celebration of concrete."
Brutalism gained large momentum in Britain during the
middle 20th century, as economically depressed
communities sough in expensive construction and design

HISTORY
methods for low-cost housing, shopping centers, and
government buildings.
Combined with the socially progressive intentions behind
brutalist "streets in the sky" housings like Corbusier's Unité
de habitation, brutalism was promoted as positive option
for forward-moving, modern urban housing.
 Brutalist designs were also often initially criticised as
eyesores. The current Fodor's guide to London mentions the
Home office structure as "hulk" Because the style is
essentially that of poured concrete it tends to be in expensive
to build and maintain (but very difficult to modify). However,
in the case of Trellick Tower, the design has ultimately
proved very popular with both tenants and owner-occupier
residents. In time, many brutalist structures become
appreciated as landmarks by their communities for their
uniqueness and eye-catching appearance.
 LEADING BRUTALISTS
Architects associated with the brutalist style include-

• Le-Corbusier with his works across the world,

• Paul Rudolph one of the masters in Brutalism,
• Japanise architect Kenzo Tange,
• Erno goldfinger,
• Husband-wife Peter and Alison smithson,
• Outside Britain Louis Kahn with government buildings in Asia,
• In New York de Young, Moscowitz & Rosenberg,
• Charles Correa with residential buildings,and
• More recent Modernists such as I.M. Pei and Tadao Ando have
also designed notable Brutalist works.
 EXAMPLES ON BRUTALIST
• Unité d'Habitation
• Chandigarh`s-
The Secretariat

ARCHITECTURE
The Assembly
The High Court
• Art and Architecture Building
• Oriental Masonic Gardens
• St. Mary's Cathedral
• Balforn Tower
• Trellick Tower
• Robin Hood Gardens
• Hunstanton School
• Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban
• Fashion Institute of Technology
• Boston City Hall
• Kanchanjunga apartments
• Park Hill
LE-CORBUSIER`S
UNITÉ
D'HABITATION
THE SECRETARIAT
THE ASSEMBLY
THE HIGH COURT
ORIENTAL
MASONIC
GARDENS, NEW
HAVEN,
CONNECTICUT
(1968-1971)
KENZO TANGE`S WORKS:-
ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL, TOKYO
NATIONAL
GYMNASIUMS IN
TOKYO
BALFORN TOWER
TRELLICK
TOWER
ROBIN HOOD GARDENS
Boston City Hall
HUNSTANTON SCHOOL
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
KANCHANJUNGA
APARTMENTS
PARK HILL
• Brutalism brought about the best and worst in what
Modernism represented. Bridging a dichotomy of
simplicity and complexity to the senses, the period
is probably best remembered for producing 'ugly'
buildings.
• Brutalist design incorporated a new philosophy
toward materials, rejecting the International Style’s
but was in the favor of celebrating the textured
quality and dynamic massing that can be achieved
through the plasticity of concrete.