Introduction:
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate the ability to define a technical term for a non-technical audience. The objective is to provide a clear, concise, and accessible definition of the term, using a variety of expansion strategies, visuals, and references.
Term and Reading Situation:
The term selected is “Brutalism” and the reading situation is an architecture student explaining the term Brutalism to a friend who is not familiar with architectural terms.
Parenthetical Definition:
Brutalism (raw, concrete-based architecture style emphasizing geometric shapes and textures) continues to have a following and is appreciated for its rugged aesthetic and cost-effective benefits from the materials and maintenance.
Sentence Definition:
Brutalism is an architectural style characterized by its use of raw concrete, bold forms, and a focus on functional design. This style is known for its industrial aesthetic and can be seen in buildings such as housing blocks, museums, and schools.
Expanded Definition:
Brutalism is an architectural style characterized using raw concrete and rough textures, often with an emphasis on geometric shapes and block-like structures. It was often used in the construction of government and institutional buildings, such as housing projects, libraries, and cultural centers, and was meant to convey a sense of honesty and authenticity in design.
Etymology:
The term “brutalism” has its roots in the modernist architectural movement of the mid-20th century. It takes its name from the French term “béton brut”, which translates to “raw concrete”. The use of raw concrete as a building material was first popularized by the Swiss-French architect and painter Le Corbusier, who was a pioneer of modern architecture.
History:
Brutalism emerged in the mid-20th century starting from 1950s-1960s and is characterized by its use of raw and unfinished concrete, simple forms, lack of ornamentation, emphasis on function, and attention to texture. The style was influenced by several architectural movements, including the Bauhaus, the International Style, and Le Corbusier, and was popular for public housing projects and government buildings. (Seiferle, 2020).
Brutalist design in Architecture consists of mainly five main features:
- Unpolished Concrete: Brutalist buildings often feature exposed concrete surfaces that are left unpainted and unfinished. This raw material gives the buildings their distinctive look and feel.
- Simple, block-like forms: Brutalist structures are known for their straightforward and simple forms, often resembling large blocks or cubes. This simplicity is meant to emphasize the materials used in construction and the honesty of the building’s structure.
- Lack of ornamentation: Brutalist buildings reject decorative elements in favor of a more stripped-down and functional aesthetic. This approach creates a rugged and industrial look that sets brutalist architecture apart from other styles.
- Attention to function: Brutalist architects place a strong emphasis on function, and buildings are designed to meet the specific needs of their users, rather than being aesthetically pleasing.
- Emphasis on texture: Despite their simple forms, brutalist buildings often feature complex and intricate textures, created using exposed concrete and other materials.
It’s worth noting that while these elements are often associated with brutalist architecture, not all brutalist buildings will have all these features.
Difference between Brutalism and Minimalism architectural styles:
Brutalism and Minimalism share a similar fundamental principle of simplifying design to its core components. However, they differ in their approach and execution. Minimalism incorporates elements such as color schemes, materials, and forms to achieve the aesthetic of simplicity, which is not fully stripped of design elements. In contrast, Brutalism emphasizes on celebrating the limited design elements present, utilizing raw and unpainted concrete surfaces as a key feature. This creates an aesthetic that is straightforward, rather than plainly being simple, as it can also achieve bold and impactful arrangements.
Visual:
Figure 1. Geisel Library located in San Diego, California. Designed by Architect William L. Pereira & Associates in 1968-1970.
Source: David Langdon. “AD Classics: Geisel Library / William L. Pereira & Associates” 11 Nov 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed 8 Feb 2023. <https://www.archdaily.com/566563/ad-classics-geisel-library-william-l-pereira-and-associates> ISSN 0719-8884
Works Cited:
Clement, A. (2018). Brutalism: Post-War British Architecture (2nd ed.). Crowood Press Ltd. (Original work published in 2011)
TheArtStory.org (2023). Brutalist Architecture Movement Overview and Analysis [Internet]. Available from https://www.theartstory.org/movement/brutalism/. Content compiled and written by Rebecca Seiferle; edited and revised with Summary and Accomplishments added by Greg Thomas. First published on 08 May 2020.
Levanier, J. (2021). Brutalism in design: its history and evolution in modern websites. 99designs.ca. Retrieved from https://99designs.ca/blog/design-history-movements/brutalism/
Leave a Reply