brutalism

American  

[broot-l-iz-uhm] / ˈbrut lˌɪz əm /

noun

1. Architecture. a style of modernist architecture, originating in the 1950s, characterized by exposed structural materials and plain, massive, often steeply angular geometric forms, typically of unfinished concrete.

2. a style in art, furniture, jewelry, etc., influenced by this architecture and often characterized by outsized elements or the use of unfinished or roughly textured materials.

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brutalism British  

/ ˈbruːtəˌlɪzəm /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• brutalist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of brutalism

First recorded in 1795–1805, for literal sense; brutal + -ism; in reference to architecture first used by British architects Alison Smithson (1928–93) and Peter Smithson (1923–2003) in 1953

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

brutalism

In late February, Lewis met up for martinis at the Westin Bonaventure’s revolving rooftop bar in downtown L.A.. famous for 360-degree views and swanky concrete brutalism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2024

There was a lot of theoretical architecture going around, mostly originated, I think, from the East Coast — postmodernism, brutalism, all of these ‘-isms.’

From Seattle Times ● May 5, 2023

The result was a towering concrete stadium with a unique wavelike roof that architects have hailed as a gem of tropical brutalism.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 24, 2022

The NCP beneath Edinburgh Castle is listed for its concrete brutalism.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2021

The Northman fetched a smile which did not relieve his face of its brutalism, and answered, "Barbarians."

From Ben-Hur; a tale of the Christ by Wallace, Lewis