| The Brutalist style conjures of harsh images, but the word
derives from the French beton brut, or rough concrete. Nonetheless,
it is well-named. Its main period of use was from approximately 1950
through the mid-1980s. Among others, it is primarily associated with Le
Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris) in his post-1945 works.
It emphasizes the imprint of the formwork, the temporary shuttering
of the mold for concrete. In some cases, exposed steel is used in
lieu of concrete. Some consider it a reaction to the glass and steel
structures becoming prevalent at the time. To view other styles, click on the links above. For more Brutalist skyscraper architecture, click on Brutalism 2. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The MetLife Building began life as the Pan Am Building, and was completed in 1963. It is 59 stories, and considered by some to be an example of the International style. The architectural firm was Emery Roth & Sons, with Walter Gropius and Pietro Belluschi as design consultants. The cityreview.com website calls it "the finest example in the United States of the Brutalist School of architecture for its form is aggressive and sure and it is a paradigm of well-planned, impressive and very efficient public spaces."
|
These images are of the Barbican Estate in London, England, consisting of three towers--Lauderdale, Cromwell and Shakespeare. The estate opened in 1969. The architectural firm was Chamberlin Powell and Bon. The City of London website expresses the philosophy of the concrete construction: "The fabric of the Barbican is concrete in keeping with its urban location."
|
All text and images copyright (c) Steven M. Richman 2003