“Astonishing, monumental, a true masterpiece.” As well as: “Viral, trending topic” for those who love the language of social media.
These are just a few of the epithets earned by The Brutalist, the film by Brady Corbet, starring Adrien Brody—Oscar-winning for Best Actor—playing the imaginary architect László Toth. The film explores Brutalism as a multifaceted phenomenon, not just as an architectural movement, but also as a way of life. Why Brutalism is trending? Brutalism as a manifesto, a break and opposition: a true philosophy of thought. Rational, hieratic, disruptive.
But let’s get back to the film: in addition to the clear Brutalist references in the exteriors, a more tangible and less obvious example can also be seen in the interiors. The keen observer will surely notice the chaise longue inspired by the famous Grasshopper by Kastholm and Fabricius, as well as the one by Finn Juhl.
Take a look to our latest creation at Puravisione: the Alchimista chair. A no-frills seat, strongly inspired by the Fifties, with bold lines and crafted using essential materials: leather and steel.
A brief overview
In the beginning, there was Le Corbusier with his Beton Brut, a term used to describe his concrete works. Rough, unfinished, incomplete. Architecture questions the role of form in relation to substance. These are the post-war years, between the 1950s and 1960s, a historically and culturally vibrant period. The term Brutalism was coined by architectural historian Reyner Banham. This movement emerged as a reaction to the decorated and clean architecture of the preceding years, opposing conventional beauty by rejecting any decoration, considered superfluous, in favor of the purity and function of buildings.
These buildings are yet another response to the recently ended world conflict, both in their lines and materials. Concrete blocks, strict and monolithic lines, steel elements, glass and wood details aim to create balance, for an aesthetic that rejects ornamentation and celebrates truth.
Iconic Architects
Prominent architects of this period include the previous mentioned Le Corbusier with the Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, Alison and Peter Smithson with the Robin Hood Gardens project, and, among today’s star architects, it’s impossible not to mention the genius of Tadao Ando, Hollywood’s favorite architect (he designed Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s house), who blends Japanese tradition with Brutalist echoes found in iconic buildings such as The Water Temple.
Brutalist buildings provoke a sense of alienation in those who look at them. They divide opinions, prompting reflection on what beauty and art truly are, and for this reason, they are increasingly gaining popularity among younger generations who see them as so ugly they’ve come full circle. They hold a similar place in fashion and language, comparable to Kitsch and Camp.
Puravisione seeks to visually capture the creative process behind three of our most iconic pieces. Just take a look at the Brutalist buildings that have had the greatest influence on the designer
National Theatre, London and Magneto armchair
The Royal National Theatre in London, with its imposing structure and raw concrete cubic modules, inspired the Magneto armchair, which appears monolithic. Almost sculptural.
St. Johannes XXIII, Cologne, Magnetika chair and Magnetik barstool
The St. Johannes XXIII church in Cologne, with its massive and angular structure, evokes the sleeker lines of the Magnetik barstool and the Magnetika chair.
