Brutalism

Brutalism emerged in the 1950s primarily in Britain, taking its name from the French béton brut (raw concrete) used by Le Corbusier. The movement was championed by architects Alison and Peter Smithson, who advocated for an honest expression of materials and structure. Brutalist buildings like the Barbican Centre in London, Habitat 67 in Montreal, and the National Theatre on London's South Bank became defining landmarks of postwar urban architecture. The style rejected decorative concealment in favor of raw, powerful forms that expressed their structural and material reality. Brutalism has experienced a remarkable revival in contemporary interior design, transformed from reviled to revered. Modern Brutalist-inspired interiors celebrate the beauty of raw materials—exposed concrete, unfinished wood, bare metal—combined with bold geometric forms. Incorporate Brutalist aesthetics through concrete planters and accessories, chunky geometric furniture, raw material surfaces, and an honest expression of construction. Board-formed concrete walls, massive stone coffee tables, and industrial lighting create the style's characteristic atmosphere. The key is balancing raw brutality with warmth through textiles, plants, and carefully chosen softer elements.