SOS Brutalism. Memory of the twentieth century
06/12/2015.
Brutalism buildings in danger
metalocus, JOSÉ JUAN BARBA
metalocus, JOSÉ JUAN BARBA
Despite what many believe, certain aspects and examples of contemporary architecture are in question or simply disappearing. It seems that the most serious situation is leaded by the Brutalism.
George Chakhava / Zurab Jalaghania: Ministry of Highway Construction (today: Bank of Georgia), 1972?–1975.
Ernő Goldfinger: Trellick Tower, 1966?–1972. London, UK.
Scroope Terrace, extension to the School of Architecture, Cambridge University, Colin St John Wilson with Alex Hardy, 1959. Photograph @ McArthur, John.
Scroope Terrace, extension to the School of Architecture, Cambridge University, Colin St John Wilson with Alex Hardy, 1959. Photograph @ Simon Phipps
Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oíza (1968). Madrid, Spain. Fotografía © Jesús Arenas.
Aleksandr Rochegov: Soviet Embassy (today: Russian Embassy), 1978?–1987. Photograph © Berg Chabot.
Agustin Hérnandez: Taller de Arquitectura, Mexico City, Mexico, 1970.
Roland Simounet: Unité Pédagogique D’Architecture (today: École Nationale Supérieure D'Architecture), 1975D–1978. Grenoble, France.
Le Corbusier: La Tourette, 1953D–1960. Éveux-sur-Arbresle, France. Photograph © Andrew Carr
Francis Pym: Ulster Museum Extension, 1962C–1964. Belfast, UK.
#SOSBrutalism is a growing database that currently contains over 700 Brutalist buildings. But, more importantly, it is a platform for a large campaign to save our beloved concrete monsters. The buildings in the database marked red are in particular jeopardy. This is an unprecedented initiative: #SOSBrutalism is open to everyone who wants to join the campaign to save Brutalist buildings! It is a powerful tool that allows fans of Brutalism to communicate with one another across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and so on.
…what characterises the New Brutalism…is precisely its brutality, its je-m’en-foutisme, its bloody-mindedness.
Reyner Banham, 1955
