4 ms·
If there is objectivity to beauty, it would deem brutalism as an example of ugliness. I grew and studied around brutalist buildings and they are impersonal and
by conanbatt 8y ago
If there is objectivity to beauty, it would deem brutalism as an example of ugliness.
I grew and studied around brutalist buildings and they are impersonal and humbling in the bad way: like when you visit a gothic church. Particularly because of the visible aesthetic decay of its materials.
I love hating brutalism though.
- jcranmer 8y agoBrutalism can be beautiful. The Washington, D.C. Metro system's coffer vaults is generally ranked highly in terms of aesthetically pleasing designs, and is also a prime example of brutalism.
- conanbatt 8y agoI dont know about that...when I went into that, it felt very dystopian futurist, kind of what the world would look like if the Berlin wall never fell and communism survived. Gloomy and grey.
- improbable22 8y agoI'm surprised people think it brutalist. I took those tiled ceilings to be a classical reference -- the pantheon in tube shape.
- tptacek 8y agoThere are other brutalist buildings with classical flourishes; the calling card of brutalism is just exposed raw concrete.
- improbable22 8y agoDo you have other examples in mind? Trying to think of some and failing...
- tptacek 8y agoThe Canadian Embassy?
- improbable22 8y agoThanks, had never seen that. Presumably the committee had a starchitect and an ambassador, both with veto power.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- elif 8y agoIf you are bothered by impracticality, wasted materials, pointless or cliche embellishment, etc. Brutalism becomes fresh air. Particularly when those qualities are poorly executed, i find myself wishing for the honesty of brutalism. The area where I work is now a sea of 5 story condo buildings which try to hide their stick construction, have 4 difference facade materials, and looky flimsy like they are already decaying before they've finished construction. I am desirous of brutal simplicity.
- conanbatt 8y agoI like the philosophy of brutalism, but the decay of concrete is so gross aesthetically. I've seen some non-decaying brutalism though, but still doesnt make the cut.