Brutalist Architecture:

Brutalist architecture is a style of building structure that came to development in the 1950s in the United Kingdom just after World War II. The evolution of the aesthetic came into effect when reconstruction efforts were underway in the post-war era. When striped down to its core, brutalist architecture refers to using materials that are condensed down as bare and raw as possible. Geddes Ulinskas, who is the principal of Geddes Ulinskas Architects, stated "If modernism is about architecture being honest, Brutalist design is about architecture being brutally honest."(https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/brutalist-architecture-101)

A Brutalist-inspired residence designed by Geddes Ulinskas Architects.  Photo: Jacob Elliott

The term Brutalism is commonly attributed as developing from the French word 'beton brut', that means raw concrete. Many people credit Hans Ashland, a Swedish architect, for coining the term specifically when describing Villa Göth, a brick built residential building in 1949. The term came more recognised by British architectural critic Reyner Bonham. This was due to his essay in 1955 for Architectural Review entitled "The New Brutalism", in which he classified and defined the evolving style. Banham, in 1969, published a book called 'New Brutalism: Ethic or Aesthetic? The German became a movement as a whole. Alison and Peter Smithson, two British architects, can also be given credited with the popularised spread of the name. 

During the 1950s, Alison and Peter Smithson used the term as a description to their approach to modernism that rejected nostalgia for past architectural designs and structures. 

The Philosophy of Brutalism: 

Simply put, the philosophy behind Brutalist architecture is brought down to the belief that architectural designs should focus on prioritising functionality and social purpose. The design is often linked to socialist utopian ideas. 

Examples of Brutalist architecture within the United Kingdom can be seen below. 

Leeds University Campus: 

Central Hall, University of York: 

Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool: 

The term Brutalist architecture is a controversial style of building planning. Brutalism was extremely popular for a couple decades however, over time the public opinion began to shift direction. When this is taken into consideration, added with the changing economic and political environment, diverted the decline in popularity.