The resurgence of brutalist architecture
A CLOSER VIEW ON THE RESURGENCE OF BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE AND THE MYSTERY BEHIND OUR FASCINATION WITH THE GROTESQUE
Peter Chadwick’s early fascination with brutalism led him to start an Instagram page, which soon caught the attention of the masses and led him to compiling his book, This Brutal World. We talk to him about architecture, brutalism and the enigma behind the design format.
Why do you think brutalist architecture has made a comeback in the last few years? Some of it for sure is driven by
nostalgia. I also think that towns and cities globally have become oversaturated with faceless glass and steel towers. As a reaction to this, people are not only looking at brutalism with fresh eyes, other movements such as postmodernism are being reappraised by new audiences both young and old.
What is it about this type of architecture that is so mysterious? Mysterious is not
normally a word that comes to mind when I think of brutalism. I do understand what you mean though, perhaps a lack of windows on some buildings allied with large fortress-like facades can make those wonder what is happening inside a building like that. Brutalism has many functional applications: a concept and style adapted by educational and government buildings alike in the early post-war years. These buildings and campuses were built on a large scale where a sky light were often preferable in use.
When putting your book together, This Brutal World, how did you know that the architecture was something people were resonating with again? In the first
instance, six months prior to speaking with Phaidon about producing a book, via my Twitter feed @BrutalHouse, I witnessed a growing fascination with brutalism. Using this social media channel gave me insights into the changing opinions about brutalism and increasingly, this came via a younger audience beyond architects and academics.
What, from your perspective, does brutalism stand for? Having spoken
with many about this previously much maligned architectural style, I have heard countless thoughts and opinions both positive and negative. For me, in particular it represents a bold, challenging and uncompromising future – one that attempted to be a part of a new, positive global post-war history.
Do you know if there are any brutalist buildings in the Middle East? How do you think this architecture is translated in other places? The brutalist style can
be found throughout all areas around the world. There are some fine examples in the Middle East. Personal favourites that I would call the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi by Zaha Hadid brutalist. Further afield the Kuwait Embassy in Tokyo is a fine example of functional brutalist architecture. The translation of this architectural style really depends on who you speak to. Increasingly the younger generation speaks more positively of it.
What is it that is beautiful about such grotesque buildings? Rodney Gordon
who worked with Owen Luder, both architects and responsible for such Brutalist landmarks in the UK as the now sadly demolished Tricorn centre in Portsmouth and Trinity Square in Gateshead said: "Any piece of architecture worth being called architecture is usually both hated and loved". Depending on who you talk or listen to, you will hear a variety of extremely opposing view points. The beauty in it for me is driven by personal experience. The beauty is on an unconventional scale beyond the romantic notion of what beauty is or what beauty should be.
Do you think our infatuation with perfection is over as a generation of people? No, not really. Perfection
prevails through our digital lives and in particular on social media platforms with a myriad of filters at our disposal in which we enhance the way our lives and homes can look. We live in a time of the ‘edit’, as we edit and curate ourselves to our followers. Perhaps there is a shift in the physical and the analogue in which the experience is becoming more immersive – being more about the experience than the look. Thankfully there is an ever growing younger digital user and audience who is learning how to share with emotion beyond the style we present ourselves.
Do you feel there is expression in these forms of architecture? There is good,
bad and forgettable brutalism. When it is good, the forms are poetic and sculptural on a monolithic scale. I am not the first to say that this style when done well, can be heroic in its scale and ambition.
What has inspired your deep fascination with brutalism? Partly nostalgic, partly
curious and as a graphic designer and educator, the straight lines, geometric shapes and formal grid systems appeal to my design sensibilities. It is no surprise that brutalism has a lot of fans within the graphic design community.