London’s Brutalist Buildings

~ beetleypete

From the 1950s until the mid 1980s, some architects were let loose on projects in London using the ‘Brutalist’ style of architecture. Built in concrete, and favouring function over beauty, these buildings still divide opinion today. I happen to like them a lot. Most people hate the style.

This is just a small selection of those still standing.

The South Bank Arts Complex at Waterloo, South London. Built in 1951, it contains the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery, National Poetry Library and Arts Council Collection.

Barking Station, East London. Built in 1959.

A Greater London Council tower block in Thamesmead, South-East London. Built in 1966

Brunel University Lecture Theatre in Uxbridge, West London. Built in 1973.

Estate stairwell on the Strawberry Vale Estate East Finchley, North London. Built in 1978

The Mall car park in Bromley, South-East London. Built in 1967.

Croydon Magistrates Court, South London. Built in 1968.

The National Archive at Twickenham, South-West London. Built in 1973.

Dawson’s Heights Estate in Dulwich, South-East London. Built in 1964.

Trellick Tower in Golbourne Road, West London. At one time the tallest housing block in Europe. Built 1972.

The Barbican Complex in the City of London. Built 1982.

45 thoughts on “London’s Brutalist Buildings”

      1. I am a big fan, too. Love the home on your link, yet I’m surprised its only 3+ million. Big homes in Groton sell for over a million (which is ridiculous.) We’re close to the New Hampshire border, and a museum nearby has FLW home. Many elements on that California home are very similar.

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  3. Hi Pete, I am more inclined towards beautiful buildings. When I was in Finland, I remember thinking how ugly the communist styled buildings were. Most modern buildings are ugly now because of cost effectiveness guidelines.

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  6. I’m rather neutral on these buildings. I neither dislike them nor find them particularly attractive. I recall that you like Art Deco. I definitely like Art Deco architecture. There are also some remarkably futuristic buildings around the world that really appeal to me. But I also like classical architecture (Roman / Greek influence).

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  7. where I grew up everything was modern in the rocket ship sense. I’ll dig those up. My first experience with modular concrete was in 1972 when, by a series of lucky events, I got to stay free at the Hilton Riverwalk in San Antonio. There was a brochure in each room that told the story of it’s modular construction. I remember that to this day, and send you there

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilton_Palacio_del_Rio

    At the time it was the only high rise hotel, one of the only structures on the river walk. Now it is dwarfed and surrounded.

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  9. Our most famous brutalist building was the car park used in the movie Get Carter but that’s gone now, plenty left though and I’m not really a fan though some are OK. They look nothing like the castles and forts I frequent up here though 😊.

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  10. Pete, I do like some of these a lot, and definitely didn’t know this style was as utilized as much as it apparently was back then. A few look almost futuristic to me…”ahead of their time.” Some are indeed not attractive at all, but there are others that intrigue me and I would like to take a tour inside them to see what they’re all about.

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    1. It was that futuristic appeal that drew me to them in my youth, Bruce. I have been inside quite a few of those shown here, and they feel spacious and airy. I also think some look a lot like castles, which also attracted me to them.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  11. Those remind me of the BA terminal at JFK, opened in 1970. All concrete. It even smelled of concrete and what a cold stark building it was. They immediately began renovations that continued beyond when I left in 2000. Now I believe it is to be demolished. We joked when we moved in the at least the ceiling wouldn’t leak. Hah. We had buckets to catch drips!

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  12. I remember discussions about them and also a TV programme where the public could decide which building to save, and several architects talking about them. Fashions come and go and often buildings are demolished and later decried when tastes change. Some of these are very interesting, although not pretty by standard definitions of beauty. I like the Barbican and The South Bank building. They are great places to visit and once you are inside they are fascinating. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Olga. The South Bank has lasted for 70 years with no serious issues. I still like these buildings, as they remind me of castles and forts.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  13. The Trellick Tower looks exactly like Balfron Tower in the East End, where I used to play Knock Down Ginger. The Thamesmead block of flats looks like the ones on the Ferrier, where I lived when a teenager. Not a fan of this style.

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  17. Pingback: London’s Brutalist Buildings | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  18. I’m with you Pete. Some were clearly thrown up and ugly as sin but they have a lumpen beauty and speak to a time and philosophy. I grew up in rural Hampshire pretty much underneath a tower – Peterson’s Folly – built in the 19th century of precast concrete blocks to prove its suitability as a building material. It was much loathed at the time and later but now is listed anduch prized. Society will learn to love the South Bank etc

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    1. Thanks, Geoff. When those buildings were being erected in my childhood and through my teens, I thought they were futuristic and incredible, I still do.
      I looked up the folly you mention, and it reminds me a lot of Victorian water towers, though much taller. Not far from where I live, Dereham Council replaced the old water tower with a modern version. I like them both.https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/dereham-water-tower-could-be-transformed-into-home-865198
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. I already suspected you didn’t like the style, Sue. Your recent post prompted me to look these up. They remind me a lot of castles and fortifications, and that might be why I like them.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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