Brutalism in architecture: the history of the emergence of style, famous architects of the USSR, photos of buildings

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Brutalism is a style of architecture that existed between the 1950s and 1970s. Initially, brutalism originated in Great Britain, later becoming one of the branches of post-war modernism in architecture. The style spread not only throughout the country, but also throughout Europe, also capturing the USA and Canada, as well as some Scandinavian countries, Japan, Brazil and the countries of the USSR. Brutalism in architecture did not last long, but left an interesting legacy that inspires modern urban planners and artists to this day.

Term

The definition was first voiced by Peter and Alison Smithson in their papers and theory 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 meant raw concrete. With the help of this expression, Le Corbusier described his technology for processing exterior walls.building, which he often introduced into the buildings of the post-war period. This name became popular after the publication of the book by the well-known critic in the architectural field, Rainer Benham, “The New Brutalism. Ethics or aesthetics? In his work, he described the buildings made in this architectural style, highlighting the features of this direction.

History of occurrence

The era of modern architecture came quickly and began to develop rapidly. Under the aegis of modernism, many new styles were born, among which one of the most memorable was brutalism, which became a symbol of powerful concrete structures, rough processing and bold geometry of forms.

The roots of this direction go back to post-war England, which did not have the funds and resources to maintain and promote exquisite styles in architecture and interior design. The industrial revolution came to a country exhausted by years of war, bringing with it new architectural solutions, as well as fresh ideas and unusual materials. First of all, raw concrete was at the top of popularity, which is the basis of 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 created by Le Corbusier, became a kind of popularizer of brutalism in architecture. According to the English couple, brutalism fit perfectly into their views on urban planning and the nature of modernist buildings. But the really loud popularity of the stylebrought the works of Rainer Benham, who raised the issue of the aesthetics of buildings of a similar architectural structure. So brutalism turned out to be relevant and spread almost all over the world.

Features

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, the study and subsequent use 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:

1. Functionality, implying the creation of an optimal building layout according to the purpose.
2. Internationality: The beauty of Brutalism lay in the simplicity of crude forms and anti-bourgeoisness.
3. The principle of the simplicity of the material, which denied any decoration of building materials - everything remained in a pure, "honest" form.
4. Urban: Large, massive architectural forms emphasized the concept of the dominant role of cities in society.
5. The boldness of compositional solutions, which was designed to reflect the complexity and significance of life.
6. Reinforced concrete as the main raw material - the material prevailed in absolutely all buildings, being inexpensive and reliable.

Thus, simplicity, majesty and brutality found interweaving in the architecture of brutalism. It became an ideal way to implement futuristic ideas. Bright reflection stylefound in Soviet brutalism in architecture: this trend most clearly reflected political and social ideas that needed to be translated not only into words, but also into visual attire.

Architecture

This style in its idea denied any stamps in architecture. Each building had to have its own individuality, to be different from all others, which was very different 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 took on the design of bold structures and buildings that became very successful in terms of world art.

Among examples of such buildings is the National Theater in London, which fully corresponded to the spirit of that time. This grandiose building of concrete and glass clearly follows the basic principles of brutalist architecture, thanks to which it remains in tourist guidebooks as an example of a typical building of that time to this day.

The Geisel Library, which has become a symbol of the University of California at San Diego, is considered one of the most beautiful library complexes in the world. In addition, the building is a fine example of American Brutalism.

Another striking example of oriental brutalism is the sports hall in Kagawa Prefecture, built by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. This sports complex was built for the Olympic Games, and brutalism perfectly emphasizes the national ideas and ideals of past years.

Materials

Because the concrete slab is the prototype of the style, in the vast majority of buildings made in the spirit of brutalism, concrete prevails as an external and internal decoration. The basis is a monochrome range 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 interior items. Sometimes brutalism allows some other contrasting colors, but in small quantities.

As a material in the first place, of course, is reinforced concrete. In addition, it should remain unfinished and even unplastered. Not only was this technology at the peak of fashion in the architectural environment, but also this method did not require large expenditures, which was especially important in the post-war years in many European countries and the USSR. In addition to concrete, glass and various types of metal were also used. But the newfangled plastic did not take root in this architectural environment due to its fragility. Therefore, it was replaced by hard woods, which also often remained unfinished and decorated 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 - not earlier than the 21st century, when imitation of the styles of bygone eras rose to the top of fashion.

The line between interior brutalism and "uninhabited"the rooms are very thin. The style has not become particularly popular due to its narrow focus and austerity, which does not allow surface finishes.

The ceiling is the main part of the brutal interior. With high ceilings in the room, complex and heterogeneous solutions are acceptable, such as crossbeams and plasterboard boxes decorated to look like raw concrete. The floor is usually laid with stone or tile of non-uniform texture. Sometimes wood or laminate with a subtle 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 raw 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 asymmetrical and without doors. Items of the furniture set are pressed against the walls without taking up free space in the center. Decor elements are almost 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 was this principle that gave birth to such a complex as the 9th quarter of Novye Cheryomushki - the first microdistrict built up with houses with small rooms designed for one family. The principle of functionality, which was fundamental to brutalism, is read most clearly here.

But realThe Ostankino television tower became a symbol of brutalism in the architecture of the USSR. This is the same symbol of the thaw period, which was supposed to be the Palace of Soviets for Stalin's Moscow. The majestic building, finished with bare concrete, is a vivid representative of the USSR style of architecture. In accordance with the policy of decentralization, the tower was decided to be built on the outskirts.

The history of architecture of the USSR changed many milestones, but it was brutalism that left a significant imprint on the appearance of Soviet cities. For example, a kind of reference to the creations of Le Corbusier, who stood at the origins of the style, was a residential building on Begovaya by Andrey Meyerson. The architect sought to imitate foreign architects who had long developed the aesthetics of brutal, “honest” material. However, he borrowed the 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, being reflected in the appearance of cities.

Other examples of brutalism in the USSR

Among the bright buildings in this style, it is also worth noting:

• Andrey Taranov's Presnensky Baths.
• Press center of the 1980 Olympiad (now the RIA Novosti building).
• Building of the Cancer Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
• "House-ship" on Bolshaya Tulskaya.
• Khovrinsk hospital.
• Navy Archive Building.
• Vasileostrovets garage cooperative.
• Kyiv crematorium.
• Assembly Hall of the Kyiv Medical Institute.

Brutalism, which stood at the origins 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 cities we know.