20 Most Interesting Brutalist Buildings

No architectural style arouses more hostility than brutalism. Its monolithic concrete buildings are unloved features of cities around the world. Is it time to reappraise this maligned style? Here are 20 buildings that don't deserve your barbs.

1 minute read

October 4, 2013, 10:00 AM PDT

By NicoleFerraro

Photo of brutalist bus station in Lancashire, England

David / Wikimedia Commons

"No architectural style arouses more hostility than brutalism," writes Rich Heap. "People are quick to deride the unlovable concrete blocks it has spawned in cities across the world. It's terribly unfair."

"Last week, the [British] government granted grade II listed status to Preston Bus Station and three other brutalist buildings, and last week, English Heritage launched an exhibition in London called 'Brutal and Beautiful: Saving the Twentieth Century' to get people interested in this debate."

So which brutalist buildings are "beautiful" and worth saving? Here are Heap's Top 20 from around the world, starting with Preston Bus Station.

FULL STORY: 20 Most Interesting Brutalist Buildings

Thursday, October 3, 2013 in Future Cities

Architecture World Brutalism; architecture; architects; buildings

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.