Brutalist Style Architecture, What is Brutalist Style Architecture
The Brutalist Style Architecture speaks to what is Brutalist Style Archtecture.
It rejects the light, insubstantial quality of the International style in favour of weightier, monolithic masonry forms. While the International style explored the diaphanous aesthetic of glass and steel, Brutalism examines the beauty and power of concrete.
Walls are often constructed of load-bearing concrete but texture plays an important part in these surfaces and exaggerates the sense of mass. The surface of the concrete is often left with the patterns of the wooden mould, expressing the appeal of less highly machined finishes. Walls are sometimes faced with brick. In some cases the fundamental qualities of Brutalism are expressed by placing the heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems in ductwork on the interior walls of the building.
The rugged surfaces of these buildings are punctuated by very few windows, which are often sealed, further accentuating the sense of an enclosed protective environment. The name for this style may have originated from the French term for raw concrete “beton brut”, it has been commonly accepted as a description of these buildings. The plans are complex and are expressed on the exterior of the building in irregular, juxtaposed masses.
In Canada the Brutalist Style Architecture often influenced the design of civic complexes whose large scale expressed in massive, irregular profiles constructed of raw concrete. Variations on this theme include buildings with more highly finished surfaces and expressive shapes, some of which include symbolic content.
The Brutalist style redresses the lack of human warmth and variety of the glass and steel building is “less is more” aesthetic. Just as Internationalism grew out of the need to rebuild Europe after the First World War, Brutalism was in response to the destruction of the Second World War. English and duct architects formed a group, calling themselves “Team Ten” taking their inspiration from more utilitarian structures such as late nineteenth century warehouses and from earlier Expressionist architects.
In Britain the style was popular for public housing complexes and schools. Later the group developed into two related but distinct movement known as Structuralism and Brutalism.
As defined by “Wikipedia” architecture is defined as:
"Architecture" can mean:
A general term to describe buildings and other physical structures.
The art and science of design and erecting buildings and other physical structures.
The style and method of design and construction of buildings and other physical structures.
The practice of the architect, where architecture means the offering or rendering of professional services in connection with the design and construction of buildings, or built environments.
The design activity of the architect, from the macro-level (urban design, landscape architecture) (to the micro-level (construction details and furniture).
The term "architecture" has been adopted to describe the activity of designing any kind of system, and is commonly used in describing information technology.
In relation to buildings, architecture has to do with the planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, environmental, and aesthetic considerations. It requires the creative manipulation and coordination of material, technology, light and shadow. Architecture also encompasses the pragmatic aspects of realizing buildings and structures, including scheduling, cost estimating and construction administration. As documentation produced by architects, typically drawings, plans and technical specifications, architecture defines the structure and/or behaviour of a building or any other kind of system that is to be or has been constructed.
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