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"A lively journey around the world's brutalist buildings" Frieze.com "A dazzlingly shot whistle-stop of the much-maligned style's greatest hits ... the book showcases confidence, clarity and the historical importance of the movement." Monocle No modern architectural movement has aroused so much awe and so much ire as Brutalism. This is architecture at its most assertive: compelling, distinctive, sometimes terrifying. But, as Concrete Concept shows, Brutalism can be about love as well as hate. This inspiring and informative photographic survey profiles 50 brutalist buildings from around the world. Travelling the globe - from Le Corbusier's Unite d'Habitation (Marseille, France), to the Former Whitney Museum (New York City, USA) to Preston Bus Station (Preston, UK) - this book covers concrete architecture in its most extraordinary forms, demonstrating how Brutalism has changed our landscapes and infected popular culture. Now in a stylish mini format, this is the perfect tour of Brutalism's biggest hits. … (more)
User reviews
The beginning of the book covers some history and terminology, delivered with wit and expertise. From there we are shown 50 examples from around the world. Let me address a couple
I think what stood out for me, aside from some amazing buildings, was just how many similar buildings I have seen in my life (as well as the Metro in DC that I know very well). Even on some of the more unique buildings included here there are elements that reminded me of places I have been. This is just as likely because of my age as the amount of traveling and moving around I did. I do think some of the images will remind a lot of readers of places they have been. Perhaps just aspects of overhangs or walkways rather than the full blown building design, but these elements are what most easily migrated from place to place as Brutalism spread.
While I can't really say I ever really liked the style, there were some places that I thought, both at the time and now in retrospect, were attractive even if not beautiful like some other styles. Placing the movement in historical and cultural context helps the reader to appreciate things about it even while being thankful that there aren't a lot of such buildings going up right now.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.