Brutalism is an architectural style that existed between the 1950s and 1970s. Brutalism was originally born in Great Britain, later becoming one of the branches of post-war modernism in architecture. The style spread not only throughout the country, but throughout Europe, capturing also the USA and Canada, as well as some countries of Scandinavia, Japan, Brazil and the countries of the USSR. Brutalism in architecture did not last long, but left an interesting legacy that has inspired contemporary urban planners and artists to this day.
Term
The definition was first voiced by Peter and Alison Smithsonians in their articles and theoretical notes in which they described their architectural work and described their views. The origin of the term “brutalism” is associated with the French phrase béton brut, which means untreated concrete. With this expression, Le Corbusier described his technology for processing the exterior walls of a building, which he often introduced into post-war buildings. This name became popular after the publication of the book of the famous critic in the architectural field of Rainer Benham, “New Brutalism. Ethics or aesthetics? ” In his work, he described buildings made in this architectural style, highlighting the features of this direction.
History of occurrence
The era of modern architecture descended quickly and began to develop rapidly. Under the auspices of modernism, many new styles were born, among which one of the most memorable was brutalism, a symbol of which became powerful concrete structures, rough processing and bold geometry of forms.
The roots of this trend are in post-war England, which did not have the means and resources to maintain and promote exquisite styles in architecture and interior. An industrial revolution came to a country exhausted by the years of war, bringing with it new architectural solutions, as well as fresh ideas and unusual materials. First of all, unprocessed concrete turned out to be at the peak of popularity, which underlies the name of this style.
Over the next thirty years, brutalism spread widely both west and east. Alison and Peter Smithson, who first used the term coined by Le Corbusier, became a kind of popularizers of brutalism in architecture. According to the British couple, brutalism fits perfectly into their views on urban planning and the nature of modernist buildings. But the truly loud popularity of the style was brought by the works of Rainer Benham, who raised the issue of aesthetics of buildings with a similar architectural structure. So brutalism was relevant and spread almost throughout the world.
Characteristics
Brutalism, which does not tolerate ideological modesty, was used, as a rule, in the design of important administrative or public buildings. The widespread enthusiasm of large urban planners for reinforced concrete, research and subsequent application of the latest building materials and the development of concepts for their use in construction made it possible to further highlight the characteristic features of this style:
- Functionality, implying the creation of an optimal layout of the building according to its purpose.
- Internationality: the beauty of brutalism was the simplicity of gross forms and anti-bourgeoisness.
- The principle of simplicity of the material, which denied any decoration of building materials - everything remained in a clean, "honest" form.
- Urbanism: large massive architectural forms emphasized the concept of the dominant role of cities in society.
- The courage of compositional solutions, which was designed to reflect the complexity and significance of life.
- Reinforced concrete as the main raw material - the material prevailed in absolutely all buildings, being inexpensive and reliable.
Thus, simplicity, majesty and brutality found a plexus in the architecture of brutalism. This has become an ideal way to embody futuristic ideas. The style was vividly reflected in Soviet brutalism in architecture: this trend most clearly reflected political and social ideas that needed to be embodied not only in words, but also in visual vestments.
Architecture
This style in its idea denied any cliches in architecture. Each building had to have its own individuality, to be unlike all the others, which sharply differed from the principles of early modernism. An important and one of the main tasks was to extract unquestioning beauty from gray boring concrete, and architects willingly undertook the design of bold structures and structures that became very successful from the point of view of world art.
Among the examples of such buildings can be noted the National Theater in London, which is fully consistent with the spirit of the time. This grandiose building made of concrete and glass clearly follows the basic principles of brutalism in architecture, which is why it remains in tourist guides to this day as an example of a typical building for that time.
The Geisel Library, which has become the symbol of the University of California, San Diego, is considered one of the most beautiful library complexes in the world. In addition, the building is an excellent example of American brutalism.
Another striking example of already eastern brutalism is the sports hall in Kagawa Prefecture, built by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. This sports complex was erected for the Olympic Games, and brutalism underlines the national ideas and ideals of past years.
Materials
Since the prototype of the style is a concrete slab, in the vast majority of buildings made in the spirit of brutalism, concrete prevails as an external and internal finish. The basis is a monochrome gamut from dark gray to almost white. Natural brown contrasts perfectly with these shades, which dilutes the gray tone in the form of ceiling beams or home decoration. Sometimes brutalism allows for some other contrasting colors, but in small quantities.
As a material, in the first place, of course, is reinforced concrete. In addition, he should remain unprocessed and even unplastered. Not only did this technology prove to be at the peak of fashion in the architectural environment, but also this method did not require large expenditures, which was especially true in the post-war years in many countries of Europe and the USSR. In addition to concrete, glass and various types of metal were also used. But newfangled plastic did not take root in this architectural environment due to its fragility. Therefore, it was replaced by hardwoods, which also often remained unprocessed and decorated the buildings with their natural relief.
Interior
Initially, brutalism was exclusively an architectural trend. Only later did “brutal” interiors begin to appear in the homes of eccentric citizens - no earlier than the 21st century, when imitation of the styles of past eras rose to the top of fashion.
The line between interior brutalism and the "uninhabited" premises is very thin. The style did not become particularly popular due to its narrow focus and rigor, which does not allow surface finishes.
The ceiling is a major part of the brutal interior. With high ceilings in the room, complex and heterogeneous solutions are acceptable, such as crossbars and drywall boxes, decorated with untreated concrete. The floor is usually laid with stone or tiles with a heterogeneous texture. Sometimes a wood or laminate with a dimly pronounced pattern is used. Such an interior often looks quite ascetic and avant-garde, therefore, for greater comfort, the presence of carpets is allowed. Walls - bare concrete or rough brickwork. Window openings can be of any sharp geometric shape without frames that make the interior heavier.
As for furniture, it can be cabinets and shelves made of wood or glass, ideally asymmetric and without doors. The items of furniture are clinging to the walls, not taking up free space in the center. Decor elements are practically absent.
Brutalism in the USSR
The architecture of the USSR is mainly designed to average the living conditions of everyone in Soviet society. The influence of brutalism reached Soviet architecture only in the 1970s. It is this principle that gave birth to such a complex as the 9th quarter of New Cheryomushki - the first microdistrict built up with houses with small rooms designed for one family. Most clearly read here is the principle of functionality, which was fundamental to brutalism.
But the Ostankino television tower became a real symbol of brutalism in the architecture of the USSR. This is the same symbol of the thaw period that the Palace of Soviets was to become for Stalinist Moscow. The magnificent structure, finished with bare concrete, is a vivid representative of the style of architecture of the USSR. In accordance with the policy of decentralization, the tower was decided to build on the outskirts.
The history of architecture of the USSR has changed many milestones, but it was brutalism that left a significant imprint on the face of Soviet cities. For example, a kind of reference to the creations of Le Corbusier, who stood at the origins of the style, was an apartment building on Begovaya by Andrei Meerson. The architect sought to imitate foreign architects, who had long been developing the aesthetics of brutal, “honest” material. However, he borrowed the attached towers for his house from another master - Oscar Niemeyer.
Thus, brutalism in the USSR was used not only for the design of particularly important political and administrative buildings, but even for the construction of simple houses. This style perfectly reflected the ideas and spirit of the USSR, finding reflections in the guise of cities.
Other examples of brutalism in the USSR
Among the bright buildings in this style it is also worth noting:
- Presnensky baths of Andrey Taranov.
- Press Center of the 1980 Olympics (now the RIA Novosti building).
- The building of the Oncology Center RAMS.
- "House-ship" on Bolshaya Tula.
- Khovrinsky hospital.
- The building of the archive of the Navy.
- Garage cooperative "Vasileostrovets".
- Kiev crematorium.
- Assembly Hall of the Kiev Medical Institute.
Brutalism, which was at the forefront of modernism in architecture, lasted only about 30 years, but managed to capture not only the whole of Europe, but also the countries of the USSR, Japan, Brazil and the USA. Architectural brutalism has its own monumental character, expresses social and political ideas and supports the image of a modern city. Until now, examples of buildings in the spirit of brutalism inspire new architects to invent their own directions, which also, quite possibly, will soon change the faces of the cities we know.