Author Topic: Any opinions on Brutalist buildings here? (Read 7263 times)

just Warren · « **on:** November 06, 2018, 12:48:37 PM »

I've always liked the looks of Brutalist architecture.

Have never had to live or work in such a building though, so that might change my opinion.

Anyone here have to live or work in a Brutalist building?

My favorite styles are Deco and Craftsman with brick-centric Craftsman being what I would have built for my own home.

charby · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2018, 01:03:27 PM »

Quote from: Warren on November 06, 2018, 12:48:37 PM

Anyone here have to live or work in a Brutalist building?

I used to work in one. I think the pillars and overhang on the the first floor was a waste of foot print space.

K Frame · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2018, 01:47:50 PM »

Yep, I worked in one for a number of years.

Compared to the exterior, the interior was FAR more brutal... Place needed to be gutted, burned, and gutted again.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2018, 02:25:52 PM »

I never heard of "brutalist" architecture.

I sorta wish I never had.

It's sort of .... well, the best I can say is indifferent. Some of it is weird. A few look downright unbalanced.

Angel Eyes · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2018, 02:29:32 PM »

Quote from: charby on November 06, 2018, 01:03:27 PM

Glorious architectural triumph of Soviet Central Committee.

lee n. field · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2018, 02:30:57 PM »

Quote from: charby on November 06, 2018, 01:03:27 PM

I used to work in one. I think the pillars and overhang on the in the first floor was a waste of foot print space.

Most college dormitories I've seen look like that.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2018, 02:35:34 PM »

Quote from: charby on November 06, 2018, 01:03:27 PM

My college library looked like that. For a moment I thought it WAS that library ........

RocketMan · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2018, 02:35:49 PM »

Quote from: Angel Eyes on November 06, 2018, 02:29:32 PM

Glorious architectural triumph of Soviet Central Committee.

That's the first thing that came to mind for me, too.
Whenever I've been in a building of that style, I have always had an uncomfortable feeling. I just wanted to get my business done and get out. Maybe that is by design as they have almost always been government buildings.

Hawkmoon · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2018, 02:52:43 PM »

Quote from: charby on November 06, 2018, 01:03:27 PM

I used to work in one. I think the pillars and overhang on the the first floor was a waste of foot print space.

Not beautiful but, as an architect, I would not classify that as an example of Brutalist architecture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutalist_architecture

Pb · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2018, 02:57:02 PM »

I work in one. It is ugly, but I am used to it.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2018, 03:02:28 PM »

I lurvs me some art deco but, also being painfully utilitarian, don't really care what kind of building it is so long as it works for its intended purpose.

Brad

makattak · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2018, 03:05:46 PM »

Isn't brutalist one of the schools where what normal people like is wrong, so we'll go out of our way to offend their sensibilities until they accept our "progressive" art?

Or, put another way:

Quote from: Angel Eyes on November 06, 2018, 02:29:32 PM

Glorious architectural triumph of Soviet Central Committee.

charby · « **Reply #12 on:** November 06, 2018, 03:07:00 PM »

Quote from: Hawkmoon on November 06, 2018, 02:52:43 PM

Not beautiful but, as an architect, I would not classify that as an example of Brutalist architecture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutalist_architecture

What would you classify it as?

brimic · « **Reply #13 on:** November 06, 2018, 03:15:35 PM »

Its like they took Bauhaus architecture and somehow made it uglier and more soulless.

Kingcreek · « **Reply #14 on:** November 06, 2018, 03:57:06 PM »

Somebody thought it was a thing sometime. My opinion of architects is that they believe their primary purpose is building monuments to themselves. At any cost and any magnitude of ugly.

MillCreek · « **Reply #15 on:** November 06, 2018, 05:34:59 PM »

The first thing I think of when I see this type of building is either in Soviet Russia, building brutal you; or some classic 60's and 70's science fiction TV shows or movies showing cities of the future.

Hawkmoon · « **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2018, 05:45:58 PM »

Quote from: charby on November 06, 2018, 03:07:00 PM

What would you classify it as?

Post modern drec.

It's not brutal enough to be Brutalism, and the articulation of the wondow surrounds disqualifies it. Brutalism is slabs and blocks of concrete. If you need a door or a window -- punch a hole in the concrete but, whatever you do, don't embellish it with anything that adds detail or scale. In fact, most of the photos in that opening link aren't really Brutalism.

Calumus · « **Reply #17 on:** November 06, 2018, 06:36:12 PM »

I picked my college because of the architecture. All bare cement and hard lines. There were actually a few interior staircases that ended at bare walls. The classrooms were terrible; but the dorms, dining hall and library were amazing. Legend was that the architect was committed to an asylum 3/4 of the way through construction.
It's Trent University, they've filmed a couple of horror movies there including Urban Legend Final Cut.

charby · « **Reply #18 on:** November 06, 2018, 06:41:52 PM »

Quote from: Hawkmoon on November 06, 2018, 05:45:58 PM

Post modern drec.

It's not brutal enough to be Brutalism, and the articulation of the wondow surrounds disqualifies it. Brutalism is slabs and blocks of concrete. If you need a door or a window -- punch a hole in the concrete but, whatever you do, don't embellish it with anything that adds detail or scale. In fact, most of the photos in that opening link aren't really Brutalism.

I disagree on post modern deconstruction.

Ron · « **Reply #19 on:** November 07, 2018, 08:54:55 AM »

Popular style used in government buildings and welfare housing projects.

Never became very popular in the market comprised of living human beings who appreciate beauty.

Pure soul and spirit crushing utility with no aesthetics or touch of the human “spirit”. That’s why bureaucrats were drawn to the style.

Jocassee · « **Reply #20 on:** November 07, 2018, 12:30:29 PM »

Does this qualify?

https://www.google.com/search?

I hated the way it looked on the outside, and it is easily the ugliest building in the city. It was fine inside. As fine as it could be anyways for each floor being a cube farm, essentially. But we did have windows.

Edited to include embedded img

just Warren · « **Reply #21 on:** November 07, 2018, 01:04:45 PM »

I like it. (Yes, maybe I'm a bit weird.)

How was it for climate control? Did the windows open or were you stuck with whatever the central system gave you?

Jocassee · « **Reply #22 on:** November 07, 2018, 02:18:04 PM »

Quote from: Warren on November 07, 2018, 01:04:45 PM

I like it. (Yes, maybe I'm a bit weird.)

How was it for climate control? Did the windows open or were you stuck with whatever the central system gave you?

Everything inside the building in terms of systems and furnishings was completely up to date, so it was plenty cool. A lot of the building used to be inhabited by BB&T, so there were a couple floors that had opulent panel wood walls and marble floors.

It is considered a

TommyGunn · « **Reply #23 on:** November 07, 2018, 02:22:21 PM »

Quote from: Jocassee on November 07, 2018, 02:18:04 PM

Everything inside the building in terms of systems and furnishings was completely up to date, so it was plenty cool. A lot of the building used to be inhabited by BB&T, so there were a couple floors that had opulent panel wood walls and marble floors.

It is considered a

Sure beats being considered b.

MillCreek · « **Reply #24 on:** November 07, 2018, 03:01:20 PM »

A vs. B on the Walking Dead?

News:

Author Topic: Any opinions on Brutalist buildings here? (Read 7263 times)