Brutal is as Brutal does

Unite d’Habitation east elevation from ground level.
Author: Crookesmoor. Source: Wiki Commons.

At a recent client meeting at a major University we were discussing renovating buildings on campus. The topic of their 60’s era buildings came up and one member of the group remarked on her dislike of the brutalist style of architectural and hoped that we, as architects, would not try to defend it. We agreed that buildings of this era are particularly challenged for a number of reasons. Coincidentally, there have recently been several articles in the recent press, if that is still the word, about renewed interest in preserving buildings of this era – a style that was very popular with architects of a certain generation that fell into disfavor rather quickly to the point where many of these building are now being considered for demolition.

Similarly, Victorian houses built at the turn of the century, a style that quickly lost favor and was considered ugly in the 40’s and 50’s, suffered the slings and arrows of ‘modernists.’ Additionally, neglect due to the cost of maintaining all the decorative wood bric-a-brac, ultimately, in many cases ended in demolition. However, today many of the remaining examples have been restored and are lovingly referred to as ‘painted ladies.’ A happy fate that will befall our concrete friends? 

I fear not, so who is to blame for these unfortunate interlopers? If I put my deer stalker hat on, I’m going after the ‘Corb Man.’ In 1923 Le Corbusier published a series of essays about a new approach to architecture, Towards a New Architecture. I strongly recommend you read it. I believe it was probably one of the most influential books on architecture in the first half of the 20th Century. And even though it is 90+ years old it still has many informative ideas about design that still hold true today, “the plan is the generator,” for one. That said, Corbu also extols the virtue of a new building material … concrete. I, for one, still admire his early work; who cannot love the Villa Savoye? Even in all its Lego glory, it is a machine for living. But his later work, particularly his urban planning, I can pass on. Thank the heavens that his urban renewal plan for Paris was never executed! Speaking of Corbu’s body of work, check out Charlotte Perriand, the unsung designer who designed much of the furniture for Corbu’s projects in the 20’s and 30’s.

Charlotte Perriand. Source: Cassina

But wasn’t it really Paul Rudolph and Marcel Breuer who put Brutalism on the map? Scaleless piles of bush hammered concrete that over time seemed to attract the dirt in the air and slowly turn black. However, I must admit I do like Rudolph’s UMass Dartmouth campus and John Johansen’s Goddard Library at Clark University in Worcester. I imagine you may have one or two favorites of your own. But for the most part, there is too much bravado, usually too few windows and so much raw concrete (beton brut). And where was the scale?

Goddard Library. Source: F*ck Yeah Brutalism

Was this just yet another manifestation of what was going on in American culture at the time? Detroit was building bigger and bigger cars – size did matter! More power, more chrome, bigger tailfins and the ultimate being the classic 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. A primarily male fantasy, bigger, faster, be a jet pilot on 4 wheels, ‘make a date with the rocket powered Olds 88’ and buy the Rambler station wagon for the Mrs. If you are interested in auto design of this period check out Harley Earl, head designer for GM and his fascination with jets and tail fins. And while you are thinking of all things Cadillac, check out Ant Farm’s Cadillac Ranch which is 50 years old this year, where the history of tail fins meets pop art and ultimately meets graffiti.

Many of us have heard of or seen the TV show Mad Men which is all about the male dominated white collar world in the 50’s and 60’s in the advertising industry. You can imagine the equivalent in jet fueled Detroit. How about the vast majority of architectural offices during the first half of the 20th Century? Sure, you can list famous male architects from this era, but how about famous female architects? So riddle me this Batman: If there had been more women heading up the design of buildings during this period would Brutalism have been so brutal? We shall never know, but it’s interesting to ponder.

As with various other historic preservation movements, will buildings in the style of Brutalism be revered and saved? I would venture there are a few examples that may stand the test of time and be preserved in some form or other. The new Clarre T. Carney Library by designLAB at UMass Dartmouth comes to mind; it builds on the existing vocabulary by contrast and preserves the existing at the same time. And the Goddard Library was recently restored / renovated. But are the vast majority of these buildings just too hard to live with when the alternatives are so much better?

Claire T. Carney Library. Source: UMass Dartmouth

You might use a car from the 50’s or 60’s as a daily driver if you are a classic car nut. You may live in a lovingly restored Victorian house. But would you live in a concrete box if you weren’t a monk? Probably not. It was a style that apparently worked best at an institutional scale not relying on a level of public acceptance to be embraced and adopted across the country. Ultimately time will tell, but I for one I don’t think the prospects are good. Brutal is as brutal does.

Related:
Rethinking a Spurned Landmark