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Collection by Kate Santos

Famous Brutalist Buildings

Named after its raw aesthetic, Brutalism in modern architecture features elements of strict linear design and repetitive geometric shapes. The controversial style rose to popularity in the 1950s and mostly fell out of favor in the last few decades with the exception of sporadic resurgences in South America and the Middle East. Here are six famous Brutalist buildings featured in Dwell.

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Orange County Government Center, 1971, Paul Rudolph.
Orange County Government Center, 1971, Paul Rudolph.
Over 60 years ago, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru tapped the Swiss architect Le Corbusier to design the Indian city of Chandigarh, a new modern capital for the state of Punjab. The resulting Palace of Assembly is one of the architect’s great brutalist buildings.
Over 60 years ago, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru tapped the Swiss architect Le Corbusier to design the Indian city of Chandigarh, a new modern capital for the state of Punjab. The resulting Palace of Assembly is one of the architect’s great brutalist buildings.
Le Corbusier designed the immense Secrétariat building’s facade (138 feet tall and 833 feet long) to be cooled by a system of brise-soleils.
Le Corbusier designed the immense Secrétariat building’s facade (138 feet tall and 833 feet long) to be cooled by a system of brise-soleils.
Clorindo Testa’s imposing Banco de Londres in the city center is a prime example of Brutalist architecture.
Clorindo Testa’s imposing Banco de Londres in the city center is a prime example of Brutalist architecture.
The Van Pelt Library at the University of Pennsylvania holds intellectual treasures behind its brutalist facade.
The Van Pelt Library at the University of Pennsylvania holds intellectual treasures behind its brutalist facade.
“Many of Erickson’s buildings have a cold Brutalism about them; [with the Museum of Anthropology] he’s achieved a balance between that with the warmth in his treatment of windows,” says Omer Arbel. “The way the light comes in is almost a mystical experience.”
“Many of Erickson’s buildings have a cold Brutalism about them; [with the Museum of Anthropology] he’s achieved a balance between that with the warmth in his treatment of windows,” says Omer Arbel. “The way the light comes in is almost a mystical experience.”