After a visit in this sub yesterday, I found out you dont like brutalism too much. So Im posting this photo. Library in Birmingham, built in 1974 and demolished in 2013.
This is one of the things I’m glad is lost. Is this Birmingham, England or Birmingham, Alabama?
PunktualPenguinsays
Brutalism on its own can be beautifully done. The part that people take exception to it is when it replaces existing architecture that should have been preserved.
7700csays
I miss when this sub wasn’t full of traditionalists. change is necessary
DutchMitchellsays
There is a god after all!
matt_the_non-binarysays
Brutalism is a architectural style that is definitely very polarizing. You either love it or hate it.
I’m one of those who loves it. People think that it’s derived from “brutal” but it’s derived from “brut” (which I believe is a French term for precast concrete, feel free to correct me)
It’s just a shame that the style is slowly being wiped out.
Not sure if I should upvote because it’s demolished or downvote because it was built in the first place…
w_a_wsays
Not a fan of brutalism but that was one of the better ones.
HappyMeatbagsays
IMHO, brutalist architecture is deceptively simple, and one of the most difficult styles there is. Brutalism only works when it’s well designed by a talented architect, and their plans aren’t messed with by penny pinchers, ignorant committees, or contractor screw-ups.
As you might imagine, those situations are rare. Usually we get mediocre crap slapped together by the lowest bidder. Not always, but usually. That’s the stuff I don’t miss.
TheLastShah79 says
This is one of the things I’m glad is lost. Is this Birmingham, England or Birmingham, Alabama?
PunktualPenguin says
Brutalism on its own can be beautifully done. The part that people take exception to it is when it replaces existing architecture that should have been preserved.
7700c says
I miss when this sub wasn’t full of traditionalists. change is necessary
DutchMitchell says
There is a god after all!
matt_the_non-binary says
Brutalism is a architectural style that is definitely very polarizing. You either love it or hate it.
I’m one of those who loves it. People think that it’s derived from “brutal” but it’s derived from “brut” (which I believe is a French term for precast concrete, feel free to correct me)
It’s just a shame that the style is slowly being wiped out.
stonebrew says
That looks a lot like Boston city Hall. https://images.app.goo.gl/LxPG2mtKSN7xMrR2A
random_rascal says
Not sure if I should upvote because it’s demolished or downvote because it was built in the first place…
w_a_w says
Not a fan of brutalism but that was one of the better ones.
HappyMeatbag says
IMHO, brutalist architecture is deceptively simple, and one of the most difficult styles there is. Brutalism only works when it’s well designed by a talented architect, and their plans aren’t messed with by penny pinchers, ignorant committees, or contractor screw-ups.
As you might imagine, those situations are rare. Usually we get mediocre crap slapped together by the lowest bidder. Not always, but usually. That’s the stuff I don’t miss.