It’s not every day that an architectural style makes global headlines, even if indirectly.
By now, you likely have heard of The Brutalist, which was nominated for ten Oscars and won three earlier this month, about a visionary Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor starting anew in the U.S. The movie has sparked long think pieces and glowing reviews—and also piqued interest in Brutalism, the big, blocky, and, some would say, bleak architectural style birthed by Le Corbusier in the late ’40s. The style emphasizes the beauty of raw materials like concrete and steel and prioritizes the functional over the decorative. And because Brutalism was mainly applied to public housing projects and municipal buildings, it has historically been perceived as cold and unappealing.
Recently, though (even before the release of the movie), we’ve noticed an uptick in Brutalist projects that are changing that perception. Below, we’ve rounded up some examples from our archives that have the trademark features of Brutalism but feel refined, stylish—even inviting.
Have a look.
Trellick Tower
