brutalism

[ broot-l-iz-uhm ]

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.

brutalism

/ ˈbruːtəˌlɪzəm /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈbrutalist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• bru·tal·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brutalism¹

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

Its chairman, Justin Shubow, has railed repeatedly and absurdly against brutalism, the style in which Bunshaft designed the Hirshhorn and its garden.

From Washington Post

Brutalism avant-la-lettre, and as usual, I love all that concrete.

From The Daily Beast

High and long sustained, the sublime anthem rolled above the battle and its brutalism.

From Project Gutenberg

It is enough to say of this old heathen dream, that there never was such a state of savage brutalism known since man was man.

From Project Gutenberg

Its bald brutalism flourishes freely only when covered and disguised.

From Project Gutenberg