I read this with interest Andrew and I confess when planning the writing of my next week's Meander of 1960s/70s Newcastle it was with some trepidation as I had you to mind. All I will say for now is that Le Corbusier gets more than one mention...and I confess your photos far and away beat mine ...
This post reminds me how fast we dismiss buildings from the post-war years. A lot of them were built quickly and cheaply, but they were also part of a bigger plan,giving people housing, places to park, places to gather.
The concrete may not be pretty, but it did the job. It was practical. And in many cases, these buildings still work. The Cathedral really shows how people were trying to do something meaningful with limited tools.
We talk a lot now about reusing buildings instead of tearing them down. This makes a good case for that. These places have history. Some are in rough shape, but that doesn’t mean they should go. They tell us how cities tried to move forward after the war.
Instead of judging them for not being beautiful, maybe we should ask what they were trying to fix.
The picture of the catholic cathedral is beautiful.
Thank you, Manuela
The Roman Catholic Cathedral is particularly beautiful. I love the combination of the pale concrete with the warm timber tones.
It’s a beautiful place to visit (whether you are religious or not). The design really appeals to me.
Your photographs and writing really make me appreciate Brutalist architecture more. Thank you for that!
Thank you, Susanne. Glad I can help you appreciate this under-appreciated style.
These are lovely images Andrew - beautiful colour - the inside of the Clifton Roman Catholic Cathedral is quite beautiful.
Thank you, Lin. The Cathedral is a very peaceful place to sit for a while. There’s rarely anyone else there.
Inspiring - I love the tonal qualities and am also particular to architecture; these are beautiful.
Thank you very much, Paul.
I read this with interest Andrew and I confess when planning the writing of my next week's Meander of 1960s/70s Newcastle it was with some trepidation as I had you to mind. All I will say for now is that Le Corbusier gets more than one mention...and I confess your photos far and away beat mine ...
I shall look forward, even more than normal, to your next meander.
😳😉
Lovely images! You do this so well....
Thank you, Søren - very good of you to say!
Thank you for sharing your passion for brutalist architecture! I especially liked the churches including the one above the shopping mall.
It’s in such an incongruous place - which is why I like it so much!
looks fabulous.
So sad, that more and more brutalist buildings are going to be demolished. At least in germany.
Thanks, Michael. Yes it’s sad to see some of them go. I wish I’d started photographing them sooner. I missed so many…
Such fond memories of living in late 80s Bristol. These are great pictures.
It’s was a great time to be in Bristol!
This post reminds me how fast we dismiss buildings from the post-war years. A lot of them were built quickly and cheaply, but they were also part of a bigger plan,giving people housing, places to park, places to gather.
The concrete may not be pretty, but it did the job. It was practical. And in many cases, these buildings still work. The Cathedral really shows how people were trying to do something meaningful with limited tools.
We talk a lot now about reusing buildings instead of tearing them down. This makes a good case for that. These places have history. Some are in rough shape, but that doesn’t mean they should go. They tell us how cities tried to move forward after the war.
Instead of judging them for not being beautiful, maybe we should ask what they were trying to fix.