D.C is one of the most highly concentrated cities in the U.S for buildings in the architectural style known as Brutalism. These buildings are easily recognizable by their use of unfinished concrete in massive and monolithic proportions and their rigid and geometric style. They are loathed by the public and often viewed as ugly. Architects appreciate them. They are artistically sculptural, relying on depth to create patterns and compositions that play with light and shadows, and while they appear heavy and immovable on the outside, they can actually be light and open on the inside. Also, working with concrete requires skill and finesse. It’s even difficult to get a small concrete model to come out the way you’d like it to.
Brutalism is derived from the French term for raw concrete – béton brut
The real beauty of brutalist buildings is realized through photography. Through black and white photography, you can capture those elements that are mentioned above and are easily missed by most people. When looked at in black and white, the display of strong lines and shadows, the depth and contrast between surfaces, and the interplay of voids and masses become immediately apparent. Of course, when you build a building, you want it to do more than just look good and this is where their criticism is deserved. In one of my previous blog posts, I summarized a book on the failures of modern architecture. One of its failures was its dependence on new construction techniques and materials. Reinforced concrete was one of these. It was a new material and its limits were unknown. It was a cost-efficient building method, so it became widely used. Many architects thought that concrete needed little or no maintenance, but it actually needs a lot. Without regular maintenance, they crumble and become plagued by water stains. Because of this, at least in the public’s eye, they were/are scorned.
I will share some photos that I’ve taken of these “monsters” and perhaps it will change your mind about them.
Perhaps not.
J.Edgar Hoover Building (The F.B.I. Building)
The Hirshhorn Museum
L’Enfat Plaza Hotel
U.S Department of Housing & Urban Development
U.S Department of Energy
Robert S. Strauss Building
D.C Metro
Unknown Building Next to Eastern Market
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
DC DMV Adjudication Services
There’s so many more beautiful brutalist buildings in DC! but I don’t always have my camera on me, or don’t always take the best photo of them on my phone, so they stay there. I love walking around and stumbling upon them. Just last week, I was walking to the Botanic Gardens and came across one that I didn’t know existed, the U.S. Department of Labor, a behemoth brutalist building similar to the U.S. Department of Energy that’s raised off the ground level and stretches itself across the street. Just today I bought a book called the Atlas of Brutalist Architecture that showcases “more than 850 Brutalist buildings – existing and demolished, classic and contemporary – are organized geographically into nine continental regions,” and I can’t wait to read it!
Nice! Love the metro shot.
Pingback: Architecture and Friends Part II: London - JourneymanJoe
Pingback: La Tourette: A 20th Century Icon - JourneymanJoe