It’s not every day that an architectural style makes global headlines, even if indirectly.
By now, you likely have heard of The Brutalist, which was nominated for ten Oscars and won three earlier this month, about a visionary Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor starting anew in the U.S. The movie has sparked long think pieces and glowing reviews—and also piqued interest in Brutalism, the big, blocky, and, some would say, bleak architectural style birthed by Le Corbusier in the late ’40s. The style emphasizes the beauty of raw materials like concrete and steel and prioritizes the functional over the decorative. And because Brutalism was mainly applied to public housing projects and municipal buildings, it has historically been perceived as cold and unappealing.
Recently, though (even before the release of the movie), we’ve noticed an uptick in Brutalist projects that are changing that perception. Below, we’ve rounded up some examples from our archives that have the trademark features of Brutalism but feel refined, stylish—even inviting.
Have a look.
Trellick Tower
Above: Trellick Tower in London was designed by renowned architect Ernő Goldfinger. The building is known for an elevator tower that connects to each floor via bridges. Photograph by French+Tye, courtesy of Archmongers.
Above: The owner of this 1,250-square feet duplex on the 23rd and 24th floors of Trellick Tower hired architects Margaret Bursa and Johan Hybschmann, of Archmongers, to update the home while respecting its Brutalist ethos. Photograph by French+Tye, courtesy of Archmongers.
Above: The materials palette of concrete, stainless steel, and terrazzo in the kitchen. “We felt terrazzo suited the era of the building. Also it is a hard-wearing material that makes use of marble waste in a beautiful way,” says Bursa. Photograph by French+Tye, courtesy of Archmongers. For more on this project, see A Brutalist Remodel: Honest Materials and Bespoke Upgrades in a Trellick Tower Apartment.
1960s London Townhouse
Above: While most Brutalist works are heavy on concrete, there are some that spotlight brick instead, like this townhouse in London. For this project, architecture firm Pricegore kept the ivy-covered facade intact. “Every single brick is an existing brick going back to the sixties. We haven’t changed the quality of the building or its presence on the street almost at all.” Photograph by Johan Dehlin.
Above: Inside, wood floors and upholstered furniture warm up the living room, while an exposed concrete ceiling and supporting columns allude to the building’s Brutalist roots. Photograph by Johan Dehlin.
Above: Concrete steps and walls in the dining area. Photograph by Johan Dehlin. For more on this project, see A 1960s Brutalist Townhouse in London, Revived with Lush Greenery and Modern Minimalism.
Keeling House
Above: Keeling House, a Brutalist apartment highrise, was designed by architect Denys Lasdun in the 1950s. Photograph via The Modern House.
Above: Architect Ben Allen transformed his apartment in the building into a warm, colorful space. (The kitchen countertop is tinted cement.) “Despite the Brutalist exterior and the high-rise setting, the compact two-story layout of the flat means that it feels more akin to a modern cottage,” he says. Photograph by French + Type, courtesy of Studio Ben Allen.
Above: A window seat with storage space. Photograph by French + Type, courtesy of Studio Ben Allen. For more on this project, see Kitchen of the Week: An Architect’s Colorful “Modern Cottage” Kitchen in a London Highrise.
Casa Alferes
Above: This vacation home in Cañada De Alferes, an hour outside of Mexico City, was designed by Ludwig Godefroy, a French architect who specializes in Brutalism. Photograph by Rory Gardiner.
Above: A series of concrete cubbies and a built-in concrete table make up the small kitchen. Photograph by Rory Gardiner.
Above: An artful sliver of a window in the bedroom. Photograph by Rory Gardiner. For more on this project, see Brutalismo: A Concrete Cabin in the Woods of Cañada De Alferes, Mexico.
Mexico City Brutalist Home
Above: In the concrete home of celebrated artists Pedro Reyes and Carla Fernández, a two-level wall of books anchors the living area. Photograph by Ana Hop for FvF.
Above: Textured concrete, a hallmark of Brutalism, features prominently. Here, a profusion of houseplants adds life and warmth. Photograph by Ana Hop for FvF.
Above: The couple in their concrete kitchen. Photograph by Ana Hop for FvF. For more on this project, see Tough Love: A Creative Couple’s Brutalist House in Mexico City.
Le Corbusier, Pre-Brutalism
Above: Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier is known as the father of Brutalism. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Immeuble Molitor, the Paris apartment building he, along with Pierre Jeanneret, designed in the 1930s (and lived in until his death in 1965), was a precursor to Brutalism, but some of the style’s signature features—horizontal windows, geometric shape—were already apparent here. Photograph by Sailko via Wikipedia.
Above: A slim writing desk in a corner with with exposed concrete. Photograph by Mary Gaudin for RREEL.
Above: Le Corbusier advocated for the use of pilotis (pillars) instead of load-bearing walls. Here, a painted column alludes to the exterior pillar on the ground level. Photograph by Mary Gaudin for RREEL. For more on this project, see A Poetic Echo: A Restored Apartment in Le Corbusier’s Molitor Building in Paris from RREEL.
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