As the lockdown continues, we’re continuing to find ways to keep ourselves busy. Read full article
2 commentsLockdown projects — Month 2
Archive — Brutalism
Lockdown projects — Month 1
Each weekend during lockdown, we’re trying to make at least one new thing. These are the little projects giving us a reason to get up at the weekends. Read full article
1 commentPedestrian ways
Town planners in the mid-20th century faced a big problem. The advent of the motor car brought increased congestion and safety risks. Planners wrongly thought that separating pedestrians and vehicles on different levels was the solution. If you know where to look, you can still see remnants of this thinking. Read full article
Comment33 adventures in The Designers Republic
“On July 14th 1986 The Designers Republic was declared.” Celebrating 33 years of Brain Aided Design. Read full article
CommentPhoto — 2019-05-25
Aberystwyth University
Visiting V&A Dundee — Dundee dares to dream
I had read some fairly mixed reviews about V&A Dundee — both the building and the exhibitions. So I had prepared myself to keep my excitement in order. In the end, I was largely delighted by both the building and the exhibitions. Read full article
CommentPhoto — 2018-09-19
St Peter’s Seminary rescue arts group to close
St Peter’s Seminary rescue arts group to close
This is sad news. St Peter’s Seminary is probably Scotland’s most important brutalist building. I have wanted to visit it for years, and I was gutted to miss out on the Hinterland event in 2016.
I wonder what the future holds in store for St Peter’s Seminary, but the outlook doesn’t seem promising at the moment.
Will this three-storey slice of British brutalism be the hit of the Venice Biennale?
Will this three-storey slice of British brutalism be the hit of the Venice Biennale?
On the V&A’s section of Robin Hood Gardens, to be exhibited at the Venice Biennale.
The condition of the structure has made it even harder for the demolition team, who are used to turning up with the wrecking ball and mechanical munching jaws, but were suddenly charged with dismantling part of the building piece by precious piece, with some components over three metres long and weighing more than two tonnes.
“The demolition crew started to see the design in a whole new light,” says V&A curator Olivia Horsfall Turner. “Having thought this was just another concrete monstrosity they were tearing down, their outlook was really transformed.”
Photo — 2018-05-10
Quarry by Phyllida Barlow at Jupiter Artland on its opening night of the year. Brutally beautiful.
Kia Utzon-Frank creates brutalist-inspired marshmallow treats
Kia Utzon-Frank creates brutalist-inspired marshmallow treats
I love concrete, but I can’t say I have ever wanted to eat any… Until now!
Photo — 2017-12-31
We have added a bit of brutalism to our living room with these fantastic brutalist coasters made by Slope Design.
Each coaster represents one of four iconic British brutalist buildings.
Robin Hood Gardens and the divisiveness of brutalism
Robin Hood Gardens and the divisiveness of brutalism
I was amazed — and delighted — by the V&A design museum’s decision to preserve a section of Robin Hood Gardens, the controversial social housing estate that is set to be demolished. It will be the largest section of a modern building ever to be preserved by a museum.
These pictures capture Britain’s brutalist vision of urban utopias
These pictures capture Britain’s brutalist vision of urban utopias
A selection of lecture slides from John Richings James. He was chief planner of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government during the 1960s, when many of the country’s most controversial developments were constructed.
When he became a lecturer, he took with him a fascinating selection of photos that show the good, bad and ugly of the brave new world while it was being developed.
Brutalism and antidesign
Brutalism and antidesign — Kate Meyer, Nielsen Norman Group
Nielsen Norman Group look into brutalist web design.
I have written about this before: Can web design really learn from brutalist architecture?
Robin Hood Gardens
Absolutely stunning news that the V&A design museum has acquired a section Robin Hood Gardens for preservation. The design may be controversial and divisive, but I find it difficult to understand any argument that it is not significant and worth preserving.