Brutalism

Raw concrete.
The National Theatre, Sir Denys Lasdun, London 

Brutalism - Deriving from the french term of béton-brut, meaning 'raw concrete'. A functional post-war approach to architecture, pioneered by Le Corbusier. The movement thrived between the 1950-1970. 

The beginnings of Brutalism.

Unite d'Habitation, Marseille by Le Corbusier.

Images taken from Dezeen.com

High-density housing was reinvented by Le Corbusier when he considered an 18-storey concrete slab block to house an entire city. The Unite d'habitation contains 337 appartments, two shopping streets, a hotel and a rooftop terrace. The tower block was the solution to rehouse those who had lost their homes during the second world war. High rise buildings were the solution for the masses; apartments surround the central corridors, which are referred to as streets.

The style involved sculptural elements and raw materials such as unfinished concrete. Functionalist principles were celebrated in services, materials and structure; steel beams and precast concrete slabs were exposed.

The Barbican Estate, by Chamberlain. Powell and Bon.
Images taken from Dezeen.com, photography by Luke Hayes.

The Barbican Estate is one of the most well-known examples of the era. The complex was built to house high density accommodation and to create a sense of 'inner-city living', similarly to Le Corbusier's Unite d'habitation, Marseille. The estate is designed in a way that clearly divides into private, communal and public spaces. The Architects have set out on a quest to create a utopia to suit the masses.

Breton-brut.
Sainte Marie de La Tourette by Le Corbusier.
Unesco World Heritage Status, Lyon, France, 1960.

In terms of composition, architecture became monolithic and heavy, both in materials and aesthetic. The forms were large, with small windows in contrast. Materials, textures and construction were significant features of the era.

The low cost of concrete and energy resulted in Brutalism being popular for the rebuilding of government buildings and social housing post war. The style very much represents a period of low economic activity, as opposed to a booming period of growth.

A few further examples of cherished Brutalist buildings:

- Trellick Tower and Balfron Tower, Erno Goldfinger.

The Towers.
Image taken from Raw Concrete by Barnabas Calder

Unlike their surroundings, the Tower's reach for the sky
Image taken from Raw Concrete by Barnabas Calder 

Mass housing solutions.
Image taken from Ben Mawsfield - Pinterest 

- National Theatre, Sir Denys Lasdun, 1977

Image from dezeen.com

Walking across Waterloo Bridge, own image

Oliver Theatre Section, taken from dezeen.com

A concrete landscape.
The National Theatre, Sir Denys Lasdun, Image by Luke Hayes.

Interestingly for me, these are all buildings we are familiar with; we have seen, explored or walked amongst them but personally I have never sought to understand their principles. Possibly after this blog post, you or I may look a little closer next time at the details, the textures, the structure or the form. I have only touched the tip of the iceberg with my research so far but I have many more avenues to explore after this short meeting with the world of Brutalism - so watch this space!

Miami

South Beach views, Miami 2018 

Recently I visited Miami as part of my travels. I blindly arrived with a mere knowledge of it's renowned beach culture and party lifestyle but I was amazed to discover it has much more to offer. It is a major port city with a vibrant demographic, hosting an amalgamation of various cultures, it almost felt as though I had left America behind and reached a new destination entirely. But I guess that is part of the wonder about travelling through the USA, each state has it's own cuisine, character and attractions.

Spanish is the primary language spoken by residents, roughly 60 percent,
whilst approx. 30 percent speak English. I have read that there up to 128
languages spoken across the county. 

I stayed in North Beach but I was lucky to explore Miami by car and foot (I always like to see what I stumble upon this way)! On numerous occasions throughout my visit to the county, I was able to explore the South Beach area. I was surrounded by the beauty of the Art Deco Historical Quarter with its much loved, architectural delights spreading through Ocean Drive, Washington Ave and Collins Ave. The sun soaks into the forms of the white and pastel-coloured stucco buildings, particularly across the ocean front. There are hundreds of restored historical buildings across the area, unfortunately I was not able to see them all but I would definitely recommend a visit if you are in Miami!

The Art Deco scene first appeared in the 1920s, it then spread across Europe and the USA in the 1930s. Art Deco is the shortened form of Arts Décoratifs, a development of many 20th Century art styles including Cubism, Constructivism, Futurism and Art Nouveau. The influence reached not only architecture but furniture, jewellery, household items, fashion and cars. Painter Paul Cezanne influenced the Cubist movement towards a simplified impression of forms, relying on the use of the cylinder, sphere and cone. This simplified geometry is apparent in it's effect on the Art Deco movement. There were many direct influences upon the style, ranging from lifestyle, art, history and architecture. 

Iconic Hotels are spread across Ocean Drive 

Pastel coloured buildings with strong forms are noticeable across the area

Life beyond South Beach. I was particularly captivated by the colourful murals of the Wynwood Arts District. An urban utopia of colour, expression and statements for lovers of art. It is often described as an outdoor museum of art, free for all to see, exactly as it should be!

Wynwood Art District. The pavements are adorned
with artistic messages  

Wynwood, Artist unknown

The Wynwood Walls - murals encompass the internal courtyards, artwork covers a myriad of once blank walls, breathing life into its' neighbourhood, see http://www.thewynwoodwalls.com/ for more information.

  

Live Fast Die Fun, Artist unknown

And ofcourse it was every social media fanatics dream, to capture some great photos!

And to end on... something sweet!

Fresh Pineapple sorbet and Fresas Con Crema, Oh Mexico Restaurant in Miami South Beach

This is just a quick post to touch on some of my favourite things from Miami, I found them to be inspirational and I hope they have done the same for you. Thank you for reading! 

Back to School - A look at Architecture in Educational Environments

Adding to Existing Conditions, St Mary's Island C of E School, Chatham, Kent.
Image copyright of CC Studio Architects Ltd. 

As part of my professional experience I have had the opportunity to work on a number of different School expansion projects. I have analysed different sites, existing buildings and looked into the potential for development on our local Schools, during a time of which demand for pupil places is increasing. I have gained an appreciation for designing for young children and also I have become aware of successful, sometimes international educational projects. 

Forming enclosure around an old oak tree, Bedales School Art and Design Building
by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Image from 
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios website

A series of pitched roofs with lattice timber screens. There is a blurred line
between inside and outside, this softened edge to the building, intends to make it more 
welcoming on approach. Images from Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios  

Brightly coloured window shutters contrast against the warm red brick building,  
Gando Primary School by Diébédo Francis Kéré

Clay is readily available in the region, bricks are therefore cheap to produce with
the added advantage of thermal protection against the hot weather.
The overhanging tin roof creates shade. 

A dry-stacked brick ceiling encourages cool air to enter the building through
the windows and hot air to leave through the perforations in the ceiling.
Images from kere-architecture.com  

Canopies amongst the trees, Mellor Primary School by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects
Image from architectsjournal.co.uk

A collage of timber cladding, image from architectsjournal.co.uk

Braamcamp Freire Secondary School outside Lisbon by Portuguese
Architects CVDB Arquitectos, images from dezeen.com

Bold primary colours breathe life into the concrete facade of this school extension  

A series of existing dispersed units are linked into a single building with a centralised courtyard.
The rehabilitation of the school was part of a Portuguese initiative, "Modernisation of
Secondary Schools Programme". Images from dezeen.com 

Bin Duong School by Vo Ttrong Nghia. Cage-like balconies create a
breathing facade for the school, protecting classrooms from harsh sunlight
and tropical rain. Image from dezeen.com

And just to finish, here is a small selection of extensions and new buildings I have worked on with CC Studio Architects Ltd as part of my professional experience. 

Riverside Primary School, Rainham, Kent.
Image copyright of CC Studio Architects Ltd

Riverside Primary School, Rainham, Kent.

Image copyright of CC Studio Architects Ltd

Riverside Primary School, Rainham, Kent.

Image copyright of CC Studio Architects Ltd

St Mary's Island Primary School, Rainham, Kent.

Image copyright of CC Studio Architects Ltd

St Mary's Island Primary School, Rainham, Kent.

Image copyright of CC Studio Architects Ltd

The People's Pier - RIBA Stirling Prize 2017

Creating a legacy, Hastings Pier, Image from dRMM

This year's RIBA Stirling Prize has been awarded to dRMM - led by Architects Alex de Rijke, Philip Marsh and Sadie Morgan for their project, Hastings Pier.

The Stirling Prize identifies the UK's best new building, each year, it is now in it's 22nd year. Past winners of the award include Caruso St John Architects, AHMM, Haworth Tompkins and Stanton Williams to name a few examples! Each practice is well established in their own right, with a portfolio of successful projects to be proud of.

The judging criteria includes design vision, innovation, originality, capacity to stimulate, engage, delight occupants/visitors, accessibility, sustainability, client satisfaction and how fit the building is for it's purpose.

The nominees for this year are:

Barretts Grove by Amin Taha + Groupwork for Nick Grant, Image from Dezeen.com

The British Museum World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre
by Rogers Stirk + Partners for the British Museum, Image from archdaily.com 

City of Glasgow College - City Campus by Reiach and Hall Architects 

and Michael Laird Architects for City of Glasgow College, 

Image from architectsjournal.co.uk 

Command of the Oceans by Baynes and Mitchell Architects
for Chatham Historic Dockyard, Image from dezeen.com

Hastings Pier by dRMM for Hastings Pier Charity,
Image from architectsjournal.co.uk

Photography Studio by 6a architects for Juergen Teller LTD, Image from 6a Architects

The Hastings Pier originally opened in 1872, it was closed to the public in 2006 over fears of safety and it was largely destroyed by a horrific fire in 2010. Hastings Pier Charity invited a host of architects to submit designs for a redevelopment of the once attractive structure.

A neglected piece of history, image from http://www.urban75.org/blog 

dRMM won the design competition and began a collaboration with the charity, which lasted 7 years. A crowdfunding campaign raised £590,000 towards the £14.2 million restoration project, whilst the remainder of the funds came from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The crowdfunding element is particularly interesting, as this is what urged the title of the People's Pier to the project, the community has a sense of ownership over the redevelopment. 

The Pavilion, Image from archdaily.com

The deck, Image from dRMM

  
The Pier has been transformed from a ruin, a century-old pier, into a beacon of community spirit and a flexible community space. The layout consists largely of an empty deck with a small pavilion at the centre and a staircase leads onto the rooftop. There is a sympathetic quality to the details of the project, reclaimed timber planks from the original deck have been used to clad the pavilion in a diagonal pattern. Remaining timbers were used to create furniture as part of a local employment initiative.

Old and New, Image from architectsjournal.co.uk 

The Pavilion has been placed at the centre of the deck, as opposed to the end, the Pavilion is a mere element of a larger concept. This is a celebration of old and new, the original iron structure stands at the edge of the pier, to be admired.

Enjoy the view, Image from architectsjournal.co.uk

The form of the pier is not without great function, the large protruding deck is a stage to an endless amount of possibilities for "relaxation, contemplation and play", as quoted by Maria Ludkin from Hastings Pier Charity. It's a 21st Century solution for a seaside town, in need of regeneration.

To finish, here is a short film released by the AJ, in conversation with dRMM's Alex de Rijke:

  

  

Serpentine Pavilion 2017 - Diébédo Francis Kéré

The Serpentine Pavilion 2017, designed by Burkinabe Architect 
Diébédo Francis Kéré, own photographs. 

This years structure has been commisioned by Kéré, the 17th Architect to do so. In previous years pavilions have been designed by BIG, Sou Fujimoto, Herzog and de Meuron, Peter Zumthor and Jean Nouvel. The pavilions are erected every summer outside the Serpentine Gallery.

The pavilion is an oval form reminiscent of a tree,
with a blue wall enclosing the space beneath it

The rich tone of the blue and the lightness of the timber sets itself in contrast
against the backdrop of the brick wall of the Serpentine gallery

The design is based around the idea of a village tree, it offers a place of gathering and shelter. Kéré refers to his native in his design in the colours he chooses as well as the form. The pavilion is enclosed by a blue wall, blue being a colour traditionally worn by young men when meeting prospective wives in Kéré's village of Gando, Burkina Faso. He chose blue as a nod to this tradition, "I wanted to present myself, my architecture, in blue - it is a great place, and if you have the chance to do something like I did here you come with your best colour, you show yourself from your best side. This is indigo blue".

A sea of blue encompasses this communal space, interior photograph of the pavilion.
The light floods through the tunnel at the centre of the structure.

The pavilion is constructed with blue stained wood, it is arranged in triangular panels. The panels are arranged to create a decorative pattern. Natural light travels through the perforations in the walls and lights up the central space.  

The opening at the centre of the pavilion directs rain into the central
courtyard, creating a waterfall. 

The timber slatted roof overhangs, to create small gathering spaces beneath.  

                           

The pavilion is intentionally different from every angle, although it seems circular, there are many views to explore and it is worth a visit!