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Beyond the Concrete Controversy
Let’s be real—most of us have walked past a Brutalist building and thought, “Wow, that’s… a lot of concrete.” Cold. Harsh. Like it’s trying too hard to be imposing. I know I did once, staring at a gray tower in my downtown and thinking, “Who thought this was cozy?” But here’s the thing: that first gut reaction? It misses the whole point. This wasn’t just architects showing off how much concrete they could pour. Brutalism was about honesty—no fancy facades hiding what a building’s made of or what it’s for. It was about building for people—public spaces that felt both functional and like works of art.
This list dives into 25 Brutalist gems that prove these concrete giants are way more than just… well, concrete giants. They’re time capsules. Statements. Even masterpieces, if you know where to look. Let’s dig in.
1. Habitat 67 — Montreal, Canada
Imagine building your dream apartment complex
for your university thesis
and having it become a global landmark. That’s not a movie trope—that’s exactly what Moshe Safdie did with Habitat 67. It looks like someone grabbed a bunch of concrete boxes, stacked ’em in a way that seems chaotic (but trust me, it’s totally intentional), and called it home. Every unit gets its own rooftop garden—genius, right? It’s suburban backyard vibes meets city apartment density. No more choosing between knowing your neighbors and having privacy. This place nails both.
2. Trellick Tower — London, UK
Ernő Goldfinger’s Trellick Tower is basically London’s Brutalist calling card. Tall, slim, residential. But here’s the clever part: there’s a whole separate tower just for elevators and stairs, connected by tiny walkways. Why? To keep the noise out of people’s homes. Smart move—nothing kills a quiet night like someone clattering up stairs above you. The concrete’s rough, unpolished, and totally unapologetic. It’s not trying to be pretty. It’s trying to work.
3. The Barbican Estate — London, UK
The Barbican’s like a city within a city. Concrete towers, elevated walkways, even little water gardens tucked away where you least expect them. Chamberlin, Powell and Bon built it to give professionals a place to live after WWII tore up the area. From the outside, it looks like a fortress—tough, impenetrable. But step inside? It’s surprisingly calm. The concrete’s got this rough, pick-hammered texture that feels intentional… like someone wanted you to see the sweat and work that went into it.
4. Geisel Library — San Diego, USA
This library at UC San Diego looks like it landed from another planet. A starship, specifically—like something out of
Star Trek
, if we’re being real. William Pereira designed it to be both a sculpture and a place to study—and man, did he pull it off. There’s a huge concrete base holding up these stepped, geometric upper floors that look like they’re floating. It’s supposed to be a “beacon of knowledge,” and let’s be honest—if you saw this from across campus, you’d absolutely veer off course to go check it out. I know I would.
5. Boston City Hall — Boston, USA
Boston City Hall is the poster child for “love it or hate it” Brutalism. Kallmann, McKinnell & Knowles made it top-heavy and terraced—like a giant concrete wedding cake, but way less sweet. The best part? It wears its function on its sleeve. Public spaces are at the open bottom, government offices stack up above. No guessing where to go. The plaza out front is huge, brick, and totally dominates the block. It’s not subtle. But that’s the point.
6. National Theatre — London, UK
Denys Lasdun called this “architecture as urban landscape.” Once you see it, you get why.
It’s on London’s South Bank. A mess of concrete terraces that lock together. They feel like part of the city itself.
The foyers are open. Inviting. Like they want you to walk in even if you don’t have a ticket.
The concrete still has marks from the wooden planks used to make it. That sounds weird, but it adds a warm, handmade feel. And this thing is huge.
Kinda like a giant pottery piece, y’know?
7. Unité d'Habitation — Marseille, France
Le corbusier made the rules for brutalist buildings with this one. he called it a “machine for living”—a concrete building that has everything. apartments, shops, even a pool and running track on the roof.
It sits on big columns. they call them pilotis if you want the fancy name. so the ground floor is open.
The outside has colorful balconies that set back from the wall. they stand out against the gray concrete.
Back then, this was a big deal. it had lots of apartments close together, but it didn’t feel like a jail. think about it—you lived in the city, but you could swim and shop without going outside.
8. Salk Institute — La Jolla, USA
Louis Kahn turned concrete into something peaceful here. The Salk Institute is two identical concrete lab blocks facing each other across a stone plaza. There’s a tiny channel of water running down the middle, straight toward the Pacific. It’s quiet. Monastic, even. Perfect for scientists to think—no loud echoes, no distractions. Most Brutalist buildings feel loud, but this one? It makes you want to slow down. Proof that raw concrete doesn’t have to be harsh—it can be serene.
9. SESC Pompéia — São Paulo, Brazil
Lina Bo Bardi took an old factory and turned it into this bustling cultural center. She added two giant, windowless concrete towers for sports—basketball, yoga, whatever people want—and connected them with these wonky concrete walkways in the air. The original brick factory’s still there, too, for classes or events. It’s this cool mix of old and new. The concrete towers are bold, almost aggressive, but they’re all about bringing people together. That’s the magic of it—tough materials for a soft purpose.
10. Hill of the Buddha — Sapporo, Japan
This one’s a little different—more subtle, more spiritual. Tadao Ando hid a huge stone Buddha inside a man-made hill covered in lavender. To get to it, you walk through a long, dark concrete tunnel. It’s tight, a little claustrophobic… and then you step into a circular room and look up. There’s the Buddha’s head, glowing. The concrete tunnel builds anticipation—like a movie trailer for a big reveal. It uses Brutalism’s raw materials to make you feel something, not just look at something. I can only imagine how that moment hits in person.
11. Wotruba Church — Vienna, Austria
Fritz Wotruba didn’t build a church—he built a sculpture that happens to be a church. It’s 152 asymmetrical concrete blocks locked together, like a giant 3D puzzle. Windows are just the gaps between the blocks, so light filters in weird, beautiful ways. Traditional churches are all spires and stained glass, but this? It’s chaotic, but it works. It feels holy in a different way—like something ancient and modern at the same time. No frills, just shape and light.
12. Genex Tower — Belgrade, Serbia
Officially, it’s the Western City Gate. Unofficially, it’s Belgrade’s sci-fi landmark. Mihajlo Mitrović made two tall concrete towers connected by a little two-story bridge. One tower has a revolving restaurant on top, capped with a huge concrete drum. It’s supposed to welcome people flying into the airport—and man, does it make an impression. It looks like it belongs in a 70s space movie. Totally unforgettable. I’d definitely stop to take a photo (and maybe eat at that revolving restaurant).
13. Royal College of Physicians — London, UK
Denys Lasdun showed Brutalism can be elegant, right here.
It looks out at Regent’s Park. It’s made of concrete, with dark blue bricks and white mosaic. It feels nice—not rough.
Inside, there’s a concrete staircase that stands out. Light comes pouring down from the top.
It’s modern, but it doesn’t look out of place next to the old buildings nearby.
Brutalism doesn’t need to shout to get noticed. Sometimes it just… stands there, confident.
14. Preston Bus Station — Preston, UK
This place is a comeback. It almost got torn down, but now people love it—like that old band you forgot about, then can’t stop listening to.
The best part? Those curved concrete fins on the parking garage. They’re not just for looks. They’re structural, too.
The ground floor is big and open. You never feel lost when you’re rushing to catch a bus.
It’s simple: clean lines, repeated patterns, all concrete. But sometimes simple is exactly what makes something great.
15. Torre Velasca — Milan, Italy
BBPR’s Torre Velasca is Italian Brutalism with a throwback twist. It looks like a medieval watchtower, but made of concrete. The top’s wider (for apartments) and buttressed, while the bottom’s slim (for offices). It’s got this “mushroom” shape that stands out in Milan’s skyline. Mixing old-world inspiration with modern concrete? Bold move. And it works—you can’t miss it. It’s like if a castle and a skyscraper had a baby.
16. Spomenik Monument at Podgarić — Croatia
This WWII memorial is straight out of a dream—abstract, winged, made of concrete and aluminum. It’s one of those “spomeniks” built across former Yugoslavia, and they’re all this wild mix of sculpture and Brutalism. Dušan Džamonja didn’t make it look like soldiers or guns. It’s just… shapes. Which makes it more powerful, somehow. You can look at it and think about loss, or hope, or whatever you need to. No rules. Art and history, wrapped in concrete.
17. Phillips Exeter Academy Library — Exeter, USA
Louis Kahn strikes again, this time with a library that feels like a hug. The outside is brick, warm and inviting. But inside? A huge concrete atrium with light pouring through a clerestory ceiling. The walls have these big circular openings looking into the book stacks. It’s a perfect mix—warm brick and tough concrete. You want to curl up with a book here, not just grab one and go. I could spend hours in that atrium, honestly.
18. Met Breuer — New York City, USA
Marcel Breuer built this as the Whitney Museum, and it’s like a concrete ziggurat turned upside down. Top-heavy, solid, with barely any windows. You walk in over a concrete bridge above a sunken courtyard. It’s totally different from the fancy townhouses on Madison Avenue. That’s the point—it stands out. It says, “Pay attention. Art lives here.” Even now, as the Met Breuer, it’s still got that unapologetic vibe. Like it doesn’t care if you think it’s weird—it knows it’s important.
19. Bank of London and South America — Buenos Aires, Argentina
Clorindo Testa’s bank is a concrete work of art. The whole building is wrapped in a massive concrete screen—part wall, part structure. Behind it, there are glass walls set way back. Inside, it’s a huge open hall with platforms hanging from the ceiling. It’s expressive, sculptural, and totally Brutalist. Banks are supposed to feel safe and solid, right? This one nails that—you’d trust your money here. It looks like nothing could knock it over.
20. Buffalo City Court Building — Buffalo, USA
Courthouses need to feel authoritative. This one? It screams it. Big concrete blocks sticking out, narrow windows set deep into the walls. It looks like a fortress—tough, unbreakable. The concrete’s raw, showing every texture from the molds. It’s not friendly, and that’s okay. It’s a place for justice, not small talk. Brutalism here is about presence—you know you’re in a serious space the second you see it. No need for signs.
21. Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption — San Francisco, USA
Churches and concrete? Sounds like a mismatch, but Pier Luigi Nervi and Pietro Belluschi made it work. The roof is four huge concrete sections curved into a hyperbolic paraboloid (fancy words for “cool curved shape”) that meet at a cross-shaped skylight 190 feet up. Inside, it’s one big open space—no columns blocking the view. It feels grand, spiritual, even with all the concrete. Proof that Brutalism can be graceful. Who knew concrete could feel holy?
22. Robin Hood Gardens — London, UK
Alison and Peter Smithson’s Robin Hood Gardens was a social housing experiment. Two long, curved concrete blocks facing a green space in the middle. They added wide “streets in the sky”—walkways meant to make neighbors chat, like a suburban street but up high. Sadly, it’s gone now—demolished. But it’s still important. It showed what Brutalism tried to do: build homes that feel like community. Even if it didn’t work perfectly, it mattered. A reminder that architecture’s about people, not just buildings.
23. Bank of Guatemala — Guatemala City, Guatemala
Guatemala has earthquakes, so this bank needed to be tough. Enter: a giant concrete structure with a 3D grid of sun-breakers (brise-soleils, if you’re feeling fancy) on the front. They block the sun from the glass walls and make the building look super textured—like a concrete honeycomb. It’s Brutalism adapted to the place: safe, functional, and perfect for the climate. It’s not just a bank—it’s a smart building. Working with nature, not against it.
24. Orange County Government Center — Goshen, USA
Paul Rudolph went all out here. Over 80 different roof levels, concrete blocks sticking out everywhere. It’s divided into three sections, each with a bright, top-lit atrium inside. The concrete has this ribbed, corduroy-like finish—Rudolph’s signature. It’s chaotic, complex, and totally sculptural. Government buildings are usually boring, but this one? It’s a work of art. Even if it’s a little much, you have to admire the ambition. Who said bureaucracy can’t be bold?
25. Hillbrow Tower — Johannesburg, South Africa
It’s just a communications tower, but man, it’s a Brutalist communications tower. A tall, cylindrical concrete shaft shooting up above Johannesburg. The top has a multi-story concrete box for all the equipment. No frills, no paint, just concrete. It’s stark, but it’s powerful. It says, “This city is here, and it’s growing.” Functionalism at its finest—and that’s what Brutalism is all about. Sometimes the best statement is no statement at all. Just doing the job, and doing it well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main point of Brutalist architecture?
At its core, it’s all about honesty. No hiding what a building’s made of (hello, raw concrete) or what it’s for. Brutalism wears its construction on its sleeve—you can see the marks from the wooden molds on the concrete (that’s called board-marking, fancy term for “we didn’t cover it up”). Designs are bold, geometric, and function always comes before fancy decor. It’s like wearing a plain cotton t-shirt instead of a sequined one—simple, no frills, but you know exactly what you’re getting.
Why is Brutalism so controversial?
Let’s be real—giant gray concrete buildings can feel cold. Depressing, even. A lot of Brutalist structures are big government buildings or social housing that didn’t work out (looking at you, some 70s projects), so they carry bad vibes. But here’s the flip side: others love how bold it is. How it doesn’t apologize for being itself. It’s like pineapple on pizza—you either hate it or you’re obsessed with it. No in-between. And that’s what makes it fun to argue about.
Is Brutalist architecture making a comeback?
Oh yeah. Younger people are loving its strong, photogenic look—you see Brutalist buildings all over Instagram now (hashtag #BrutalismIsBeautiful, probably). Preservation groups are fighting to save the iconic ones (remember Preston Bus Station, the comeback kid?). And new architects are stealing bits of it—exposed concrete, bold shapes—for modern buildings. It’s not coming back exactly how it was (thank goodness for better insulation), but its spirit? Totally alive.
What materials are used in Brutalism?
Concrete is king—specifically béton brut, which is just fancy French for “raw concrete.” Architects left it unfinished, so you can see every texture from the molds. They also used brick, steel, and glass, but never in a tricky way. No painting steel to look like wood, no covering brick with stucco. It’s all about letting materials be themselves. Simple, but effective. Like cooking with good ingredients—you don’t need to dress ’em up.
Conclusion
Brutalism isn’t just a style—it’s a mood. A statement. It’s about building things that matter, with materials that don’t lie. These 25 buildings? They’re all different—from homes to churches to memorials—but they all share that same bold, unapologetic heart.
Next time you walk past a big concrete building, don’t just roll your eyes. Stop. Look at the texture of the concrete—those little lines from the wood molds. Notice how it’s shaped, what it’s used for. You might realize it’s not just a pile of gray stuff… it’s a piece of history. A masterpiece, even.
Which Brutalist building’s your favorite? Did I miss one you’ve stared at (and maybe judged) then grown to love? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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