brutalism

[broot-l-iz-uh m]

noun

(in modern architecture) the aesthetic use of basic building processes with no apparent concern for visual amenity.

Origin of brutalism

1795–1805, for literal sense; brutal + -ism; in reference to architecture first used by British architects Alison Smithson (born 1928) and Peter Smithson (born 1923) in 1953

Related formsbru·tal·ist, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for brutalism

Contemporary Examples of brutalism

Brutalism avant-la-lettre, and as usual, I love all that concrete.
A Slaughterhouse with Style
Blake Gopnik
October 3, 2012

Historical Examples of brutalism

High and long sustained, the sublime anthem rolled above the battle and its brutalism.
The Prince of India, Volume II
Lew. Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for brutalism

brutalism

noun

an austere style of architecture characterized by emphasis on such structural materials as undressed concrete and unconcealed service pipesAlso called: new brutalism

Derived Formsbrutalist, noun, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012