Why did brutalist architecture become popular?

Brutalism emerged at a time of urgent need for large-scale, affordable residential architecture. Europe’s major cities were heavily bomb-damaged, while the need to clear urban slums, and a widespread desire to improve the lot of the common citizen, inspired largescale rehousing projects across much of the continent.

What is the appeal of brutalist architecture?

Known for its use of functional reinforced concrete and steel, modular elements, and utilitarian feel, Brutalist architecture was primarily used for institutional buildings. They were also used for important residential buildings in order to rationally address the critical need for housing.

What is brutalism in graphic design?

Brutalism in digital design is a style that intentionally attempts to look raw, haphazard, or unadorned. It echoes early 1990s-style websites (think Craigslist and the Drudge Report). Both in architecture and in digital design, brutalism is seen as a reaction against artificiality and lightness.

Why did brutalism become popular in the 1950s?

Brutalism became a popular style throughout the 1960s as the austerity of the 1950s gave way to dynamism and self-confidence. It was commonly used for government projects, universities, car parks, leisure and shopping centres, and high-rise blocks of flats.

How are Brutalist buildings made?

Brutalism is a post-war architectural style defined by the use of simple block-like forms, usually made from cast concrete or brick. It is characterised by ‘Massive’ heavily-textured raw concrete (beton brut) and angular geometric shapes. Brutalism thrived between the mid-1950s and 1970s.

What is Brutalism in design?

Brutalism in digital design is a style that intentionally attempts to look raw, haphazard, or unadorned. Both in architecture and in digital design, brutalism is seen as a reaction against artificiality and lightness. Proponents praise it for its honesty and daring.

What is Brutalist interior design?

Raw materials, textured surfaces, simple silhouettes and geometric shapes are the hallmarks of Brutalist interior design. The trend comes from the post-Mid-Century era which celebrated grandeur, glam, geometric forms and repetitive patterns.

What is Brutalist architecture used for Today?

Brutalist designs became most commonly used in the design of institutional buildings, such as universities, libraries, courts and city halls. The popularity of the movement began to decline in the late 1970s, with some associating the style with urban decay and totalitarianism.

When did Brutalism become so popular?

It largely had its heyday in the architecture of the 1950s to 1970s, but it has recently seen a resurgence in modern digital design. The reason why brutalism has been able to jump between such wildly different design disciplines is that it tends to describe more of a mindset than visual characteristics.

Why is Brutalism a bad thing?

Part of this was due to the cold and austere nature of the architecture, which was often associated with totalitarianism. Another mark against Brutalism was that the raw concrete used in construction didn’t age well, often showing signs of water damage and decay that brought down the overall aesthetic.

What is the connection between brutist architecture and websites?

On the surface, the connection between brutalist architecture and websites seems tenuous, if not impossible. Brutalist architecture emphasizes raw materials, particularly concrete, but web design is obviously digital, devoid of physical materials—raw or otherwise.