In simple terms
Brutalism is a mid-20th-century architectural style defined by raw, exposed building materials, most often unfinished concrete, and heavy, blocky forms that make little attempt to hide a building’s structure or soften its appearance. [1] The name comes from the French phrase beton brut, meaning raw concrete. [1]
How it works
Brutalist buildings generally leave their structural concrete exposed rather than covering it with plaster, paint, or decorative cladding, so the marks of the wooden forms used to pour the concrete are often still visible on the finished surface. [1] Forms tend to be massive and geometric, favoring blocky, repeated shapes over ornament, and a building’s function, such as where stairwells or mechanical systems sit, is often expressed openly on the exterior rather than concealed.
The style grew out of modernist architecture and was strongly shaped by the work of Le Corbusier, whose large concrete housing block in Marseille, completed in the early 1950s, influenced a generation of architects who followed. [1] It spread quickly through public and institutional building in the 1960s and 1970s, when concrete construction was inexpensive and government building programs were extensive. [2]
Why it matters
Brutalism was often chosen for civic and institutional buildings because its materials were durable and relatively cheap to build at scale, which made it well suited to the large public housing, university, and government construction programs of the postwar decades. [2] The style has also been controversial, admired by some for its honesty and power and criticized by others as cold or unwelcoming, and many brutalist buildings have faced demolition or protection campaigns in recent decades.
Where you’ll see it
- Government buildings and city halls built in the 1960s and 1970s
- University campus buildings from the same period
- Large public housing estates in cities across Europe and North America
- Cultural buildings such as concert halls and museums from the era
Example
A 1960s university library built from board-formed concrete, with its structural beams and stairwells left visibly exposed rather than clad in brick or stone, is a typical example of the style.
Often confused with
Modernist architecture is the broader movement Brutalism grew out of; modernism includes many styles that favor function and simplicity but do not necessarily use raw, exposed concrete or Brutalism’s characteristically heavy, blocky forms.
Key facts
- The term is derived from the French phrase beton brut, meaning raw concrete, reflecting the style's signature use of unfinished, exposed concrete surfaces.1
- Brutalism emerged in the 1950s, strongly influenced by the work of architect Le Corbusier, and spread widely through public buildings and housing in the 1960s and 1970s.1
- The style favors massive, blocky forms, exposed structural elements, and a general refusal to disguise a building's materials or function behind decorative finishes.1
- Brutalism was especially common in government buildings, university campuses, and large public housing projects during the postwar decades.2
Quick checkWhere does the name Brutalism actually come from?Show answer
From the French phrase beton brut, meaning raw concrete, referring to the style's characteristic use of unfinished concrete left exposed rather than covered with decorative finishes.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. Brutalist architecture. Undated (accessed 1 November 2026)
- Royal Institute of British Architects. Brutalism Explained. Undated (accessed 1 November 2026)
Editorially reviewed by Last reviewed November 1, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue