Beautiful or Terrible? - London's Brutalist Architecture

Brutalist architecture is eye-catching and divides people at the same time - beautiful or terrible? – that’s usually the question.
The "Brutalist London Map" gives an overview of 50 of these concrete giants, including the Trellick Tower, the Barbican and the National Theatre.
The map invites us to take a tour of the British capital's brutalist beauties. It was compiled by conservator Henrietta Billings. She accompanies us on a city walk to meet residents, passers-by and Brutalism fans - and hear their views on this unique architectural style.

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CREDITS
Report, Camera & Edit:
Robert Richter
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[PimpinBassie]

It says enough when they depict an dystopian future in films they often show Brutalist architecture.

[SoCalFreelance]

I like when the brutalist architecture is contrasted with green spaces.

[laurencesmith]

I live in sight of Trellick, and worked on many high rise builds . The apartments are huge inside with far higher ceiling heights than other HR's, and the access riser being separate from the flats is super safe, there's nothing to burn .

[IT]

I think that part of the reason that brutalist architecture is so polarizing is because of what a lot of these buildings have turned into. Unfortunately, a lot of brutalist buildings have been poorly maintained over the years and just look really weathered and crappy today. Brutalist buildings also have a stigma in the UK of housing low income people. Therefore, a lot of people associate brutalist architecture with poverty and dilapidation.

[robertwoodpa]

Most of these buildings have all the appeal of an overpass

[mikehenson]

I'm glad there are those who like this style, because I for one do not. I called it "bleak futurism". I find it dark, heavy and depressing.
But to each they're own .

[georgec]

So much better than the bland homogenous glass towers popping up today designed with no passion, detail or style

[AlexandreSilva-kckc]

I call it the "educated ugly" style. I love it even if i don't like it, it's important in history of architecture, and the fine detaling is never going to be done any more.

[MrMountainchris]

I like every style of architecture. The variety is what makes cities cool.

[alexanderstefanov]

Trellick tower is an amazing building. Beautifully designed and exceptionally well executed. Unfortunately the problems earlier on were due to council incompetence. Now the best flats sell for over £1m, but most are still social housing. The Barbican towers are even more expensive, the top floor triplexes go for over £4m

[Blaqjaqshellaq]

Some people associate brutalism with their nostalgia for 1960s "swinging London"...
When they demolish one of these buildings, what do they do with all the concrete rubble?

[dzonikg]

Beeing from ex Yugoslavia i love brutalism, just tons off so Interesthing buildings, i love to explore them

[tylero]

When I visited London the first time, my first stop was to The Barbicon. Brutalism when do right is truly amazing. It will start making a strong comeback soon. Everything goes in cycles. It will start making a presence again soon.

[huajieliu]

Brutalism buildings look so sturdy. I love the texture feeling of it. Strong.

[saltygrasshopper]

Is it beautiful or terrible? Let's only talk to people who adore it.

[MetDaan]

I think that if you were to research public opinion on brutalist architecture at least 70% would say it's ugly and needs to be knocked down asap.

[asa]

Yet Henrietta lives in a beautiful Georgian terrace townhouse considering she loves her brutalist tower block so much

[Bat_Boy]

Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate in Camden is awesome!

[hxxcode]

Brutalism is the cilantro of architecture imo

[douggherkin]

I love Brutalism. It breaks my heart to see the masterpieces that they have demolished.