Atlas of Brutalist Architecture: Classic format

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The hardcover also profiles 250 influential starchitects, from A to Z, including Le Corbusier, Peter Smithson, Mayumi Watanabe de Souza Lima, and Igor Vasilevsky, as well as other less-recognized names.

And that is exactly the point of the book—not merely to remind us of some of the usual suspects but to reveal lesser-known names, both from the past and now. Architecture is a complex discipline and not all buildings can be simply categorized into periods and styles. From panelák estates to concrete grand designs, the charm of the former Eastern Bloc architecture is certainly brutal.I personally would love more photos of interiors, but that would probably take a 500 page book into the 1000s of pages.

It is damned by its name which comes from the French, beton brut, or raw concrete, but we use the same word (Brut) to describe Champagne and this perhaps sums up the dichotomy at the heart of this style. His freedom of speech knows no bounds -he speaks the truth as he sees it, regardless of the consequences of his words. Originally published by Zupagrafika in 2015, the internationally acclaimed 'Brutal London' collection was translated into this book in 2016.There is no disputing, however, that the style produces some of the world’s most breathtaking buildings. Although clearly focusing on Brutalism there are many examples which could also fall under Metabolist, Biomorphic, Deconstructivist, Art Deco, Neo-Constructivist, and many other sub-genres of architecture.

It describes Brutalism’s successes and failures in Paris, from an architecture of monumental urban form to intricately crafted living spaces; from valued, historic monuments to abandoned ruins. The style is defined by block-like forms—predominantly made from concrete or brick—with angular geometric shapes, unadorned structures, textured surfaces, simple silhouettes, and raw materials.Imposing and dramatic, with monolithic concrete exteriors, it forms an enduring part of our post-war urban landscape. Vladimir Belogolovsky reviews Owen Hopkins's new book Brutalists: Brutalism’s Best Architects and finds it refreshing in its focus on architects and broad representation.