by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: April 16, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

The weighted, bulky silhouettes that define the popular1960s brutalist architectural movement is similar to contemporary minimalist styles with its simplicity and lack of superfluous dcor; however, the style deters from minimalism primarily through its lack of trademark minimalist weightless and translucency.

Most commonly, the brutalist movement can be defined by the characteristically "industrial" feel evoked by the post-industrial materials which were easily accessible during the movement's inception. Concrete, brick, steel, and stones like granite were often used in the construction of exterior enclosures and interior facets.

Arguably a direct result of the economically depressed post-war American era, the brutalist movement incorporated the simplicity and bare bones attitude of the Depression evoked by the painful social and political repercussions of the 1960s overseas Vietnam War and domestic civil rights movement. This attitude is undeniably reflected in the movement's core, identifying design element of exposed skeletal and foundational structures and unprimed, or raw and uncovered.

Focusing on functionality rather than design elements, interior spaces in brutalist structures are often well designed, open and flowing from one into another. Repeated geometric patterns are not uncommon in many brutalist designs, but detailed, dcor, or any other sort of adornment beyond the geometrical is typically barred from brutalist designs.

Overall, the brutalist architectural movement upholds its audacious stand against the natural world, serving as the bold representation not only of capitalism and consumerism, but industrialism and the imperialism of the United States. Although perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing of all architectural styles, the brutalist movement upholds its metaphorical priority of functionality as many of these brutalist works continue to be used to this day.

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