Name:
Institution:
Course/subject code:
Date:
NEW BRUTALISM.
Brutalism is a massive, geometric style that is dynamic in nature normally with an appearance that is blocky and typically consists of poured amounts of concrete. Brutalism is an HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture” o “Architecture” architectural style that gained prominence between the 1950s to the mid-1970s, spawning from the HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_architecture” o “Modern architecture” modernist architectural movement. Examples of these architectural designs are normally very linear, fortress like and blockish, with a predominant concrete construction. The style came about for low-rent housing, government buildings and shopping centers in bid to create functional structures at a low, manageable cost. However, the look was adopted by designers for other uses like college buildings. Some critics find the style unappealing because of its ‘cold’ appearance which projects atmosphere totalitarianism together with the association of buildings comprising urban decay due to materials spoiling in certain climates with its surfaces being prone to vandalism. However, the style is also appreciated by other people especially its angular features being updated and softened in buildings currently constructed in Latin America, Israel.
Brutalist buildings are usually formed with repetitive, striking geometries that are angular in shape normally with HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete” o “Concrete” concrete having been used. Much as concrete is often the material widely used, not all the brutalist architectural buildings will be formed from concrete. Rather, the brutalist quality of a building may be achieved through some rough appearance that is blocky with expressions of materials that are structural thereby forming exterior services. Glass, steel, bricks, gabions and rough-hewn stones make up materials for brutalist buildings. On the contrary, buildings that are made up of concrete exteriors are not necessarily considered as brutalist.
The functions of the building that range from the structure and services to its use by man is a theme that is mostly seen in many brutalist designs. Some individuals believe that brutalism’s nature of abstraction makes the entire style so unfriendly and totally uncommunicative rather than it being protective plus at least integrate the intended proponents. More so, it is looked down upon as disobeying historic, social and environmental architectural surroundings thus making the existence of such structures in developed regions appear totally out of place. “Brutalism makes the whole conception of the building plain and comprehensible. No mystery, no romanticism, no obscurities about function and circulation” (Banham, New Brutalism).
Modern architecture is made up of the simplification of form, creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. Applied mostly to overarching movements that have varying scope and definition. This architecture began in the 20th century with efforts to bring together underlying architectural design principles brought about by advancement technology and a society that is modernized.
Common, modern architectural themes include:
The belief that ” HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_follows_function” o “Form follows function” Form follows function”, ( HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lloyd_Wright” o “Frank Lloyd Wright” Frank Lloyd Wright’s early mentor HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Sullivan” o “Louis Sullivan” Louis Sullivan), meaning that results of any particular design should be derived directly from its purpose.
Simplicity and clarity of forms plus getting rid of any ‘unimportant details’.
Visual structural expression.
The related concept of ” HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_to_materials” o “Truth to materials” Truth to materials”, implying that the true nature or appearance of a material should be seen instead of being concealed or altered to represent a different thing.
Usage of industrially-produced materials and adoption of the aesthetic machinery.
Modern architecture came into being as a result of social and political revolutions. Some people see Modern architecture driven primarily by technological and engineering developments whereas other regard Modernism as a matter of taste, a reaction against HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclecticism_in_art” o “Eclecticism in art” eclecticism and the lavish stylistic excesses of HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_architecture” o “Victorian architecture” Victorian and HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwardian_architecture” o “Edwardian architecture” Edwardian architecture.
