Brutal London: A Photographic Exploration of Post-War London

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Denys Lasdun’s National Theatre is a splitter. In 2001 it managed to earn places in a Radio Times poll of both the most hated and most loved buildings in Britain. Brutalist architecture sought to showcase the materials buildings were constructed of, as well as the functional components of its structures. One of the best places for immersing yourself in Brutalism in London (or just to get a good photo), Camden’s Alexandra Road Estate was built in 1978 by Neave Brown as an ambitious, idealistic social housing project at a time when council housing was often at the centre of experimental, avant-garde architecture. Listed as Grade II* in 1994, it’s a uniquely atmospheric place to visit today, with two public walkways adorned in greenery and a central park.

Brutal London: Barbican : Build Your Own Brutalist London Brutal London: Barbican : Build Your Own Brutalist London

The Hayward Gallery building itself is best viewed from the adjoining Waterloo Bridge. How to get to Hayward Gallery Of course, not all brutalist architecture is doomed, with some celebrated more than others. The Southbank Centre complex, including the Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Festival Hall, and the adjacent National Theatre are marvels of engineering that have become icons of the city, both architecturally and culturally where they play host to numerous plays, shows and exhibitions every year. The brutalist Barbican Estate is located in the City of London Square Mile and we’d recommend you arrive via Barbican Tube station. I suspect there were two failings - economic and intellectual. The first is quite simply the problem of paying for maintenance when maintenance also includes the park and garden infrastructure. The Barbican has the funds and so is close to pristine. Working class estates died with austerity.This cookie is used to a profile based on user's interest and display personalized ads to the users. Assuming effective economic managers (which is a big assumption) and the will to house the population (especially young families), the next step is to delegate financial and decision-making powers to plenipotentiary local authorities (reversing policies of the last thirty or more years). In an interview with the Financial Times, Dr Jonathan Foyle, the chief executive of the World Monuments Fund Britain, provided interesting architectural context for Brutalist buildings: “They are very muscular and everything is perhaps bigger than it needs to be, and for that reason I feel that brutalism is a modern take on gothic architecture… Both were designed from the inside out – the purpose of the building and what happens inside is the important part – the outside is merely the envelope that wraps it up.”

Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate Through Russian Eyes - Greyscape Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate Through Russian Eyes - Greyscape

Simon Phipps has produced an invaluable photographic record of the brutalist architecture of London, borough by borough. He gives us its rugged beauty with only the most essential of commentaries. And he raises questions for me about what went wrong? The Barbican area was devastated by bombing during WWII and the replacement residential buildings that make up the Barbican Estate were completed by the early 1970s. At Brutal London we know that everyone has challenges and difficulties in their life but this is what makes us stronger. There’s the City University building in Northampton Square, Finsbury, which was designed by Sheppard Robson and built between 1960 and 1976; Elia Mews in Islington, designed by the Greater London Council and built in the late 60s; and Quaker Court in Banner Street, Bunhill, also designed by the GLC and built at a similar time. Brutal Beauty champions Dubuffet’s rebellious philosophy. Railing against conventional ideas of beauty, he tried to capture the poetry of everyday life in a gritty, more authentic way. This is the first major survey of his work in the UK for 50 years, showcasing four decades of his career, from early portraits and fantastical statues, to butterfly assemblages and giant colourful canvases. Dubuffet endlessly experimented and was clear on his purpose:In London, it was used heavily in reconstructing the city in the aftermath of World War II – particularly for social housing and government buildings – though as it grew in popularity its uses extended beyond these spheres. Best Brutalist Architecture in London The Barbican Our cloakrooms are currently closed so avoid bringing large bags with you. Long umbrellas will not be allowed in the gallery. Today, those buildings are still some of the city’s most interesting to observe – The National Theatre, The Barbican, The South Bank Centre – they’re uncompromisingly different, unafraid to break with the ornate, decorative traditions that came before them.

Brutalist Architecture in London Time to Discover: Brutalist Architecture in London

During the summer months, there is a rather nice roof garden here too – the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe / Bar (just look for the brightly coloured luminous yellow concrete steps going up – very easy to spot!). How to get to Royal Festival HallThe Art Gallery has two levels, linked by a flight of 24 stairs with an intermediate landing. A passengeroperated lift (76 x 110cm) connects the two floors. If you need assistance, staff will be happy to help. City University. Picture: Simon Phipps / Extracted from Brutal London by Simon Phipps. (Image: Archant) Brutalism wasn’t just used for high-rises, though. With the Alexandra Road estate, completed in 1978, architect Neave Brown saw the architectural style as a way to construct a modernist vision of a terraced street. Its architectural merits – although chastised for its expense during the time of construction – was recognised early, becoming the first post-war council estate to be listed in 1993. As was the case with its high-rise cousins, the flats in the Alexandra Road estate were designed to be egalitarian, a notion that holds true with the majority of Brutalist housing.