Brutalism: the badass design architecture of the 1960s

From concrete to Brutalism: the badass design architecture of the 60s

Discovered during Antiquity by the Romans, then forgotten over time, concrete developed again from the 19th century with, for example, the appearance of reinforced concrete (Big Up Bagarre we love you). The recipe is not complicated: some aggregates (sand, stone, gravel), a bit of cement (limestone and clay), water, put it all in a big mixer, mix and you get concrete! In short, a very popular material because it is dense, strong, and cheap.

An atypical architecture

The brutalist architectural movement emerged in the 1950s. The ravages of World War II had taken their toll. In England or Germany, nearly 70% of cities were destroyed. But now reconstruction was necessary, and if possible, it had to be fast and low-cost. The glory days of concrete finally arrived! Architects gradually fell in love with concrete and its raw side. It has the ability to take all kinds of shapes, and its texture gave rise to an architectural movement. This is indeed brutalism and its design. One of the most famous figures of this movement is the good old Le Corbusier. He is notably known for the Cité radieuse de Marseille (initiated in 1947).

Brutalism Architecture and design the most badass of the century

Brutalism is a style that represents a break with more refined movements, such as fine arts. The abrupt style of Brutalism and its concrete constructions is uncompromising. However, its physical properties in terms of texture, hue, and ease of use allow all kinds of creative boldness. Architects play with shapes, and the monuments created have the effect of monstrous battleships. They embody the confidence and power of nations. Brutalism is uncompromising: it is the most badass style of the century.

This is how the somewhat dark attributes of brutalism take precedence. Our eyes therefore perceive them as flaws. Finally, it is associated with bunkers, or even communist architecture, defined by ungraceful, gray, and charm-less buildings. It is blamed for the construction of large suburban housing projects. Brutalism is thus accused of disfiguring cities and fostering social violence. What remains of this movement is only the use of concrete, forgetting above all the creation of futuristic forms that characterize it.

Brutalism Raw architecture and design of the 60s

It took until the 21st century and the demolition of brutalist buildings for historians and architects to realize their cultural strength. Since then, some brutalist constructions have been classified as historic monuments. They are sometimes rehabilitated: “what started as a utopian project aimed at designing new public utility buildings using the most advanced techniques apparently failed. Producing only ugly, inhuman, and unsuitable buildings. These buildings, once considered monstrosities, are now national treasures. ” writes the British newspaper The Telegraph.

In short, visionary, accused of all evils for many years, brutalism is the badass design architecture of the 60s. It now has many fans and inspires bothinterior decoration and everyday objects. So it’s not at Aire that we would say otherwise!