As much as I adore the pretty buildings of London, the St Paul's Cathedral, or the Victorian mansions of Marylebone to the sweet mews of Notting hill, nothing has gotten me more curious than the Brutalist buildings in the city.
Imposing monoliths, quite often overlooked...are sharp, dirty and dangerous. Sometimes they look like structures from a bygone era, at other times they look futuristic.
I lived in an estate in Cally road, another large block of uniform tiny window homes. There was a very different sense of community, that I find missing where I stay now. Rough and loud and dirty, but I really quite enjoyed my stay there.
What is Brutalism?
Brutalism, or New Brutalism as it was sometimes referred to, has its roots in modernism but emerged as a movement against the architectural mainstream. It placed an emphasis on materials, textures and construction as well as functionality and equality.
There has been a shift in attitude towards the architectural style of Brutalism – buildings once dismissed as ugly have now found themselves the objects of new found affection. People are coming out in support for some of the world’s most iconic buildings – voices louder and prouder than ever.
These series of posters are my favourite picks of Brutalist London. I used the font- Akzidenz Grotesk, truly as bold and brutal as it sounds.