Brutalism

Brutalism is a form of architecture defined by bold, structurally innovative forms whose primary material is raw concrete.

Brutalism was a fashionable architectural style between the 1950s and 1980s. It is a form of Modernism. It emphasizes exposing the essential elements and materials of a building. Rather than concealing mechanical systems and supporting structures, it allows these components to remain visible.

In architecture, Brutalism is both an aesthetic and an ideology. Ideologically, it represents the idea of making structural components visible. Brutalist architecture can be recognized by the prominence given to basic building materials, especially concrete.

Concrete is a solid material, and to use it to its fullest potential many Brutalist architects sought to create structures that look strong and substantial. Brutalist buildings often appear monolithic, almost as though they have been carved from a single block of concrete. The uniformity of the exterior materials creates this effect. Brutalist structures also tend to feel imposing, fortress-like and visually heavy.