Crafting Concrete
Interpreting Brutalist architecture through the buildings of Dewhurst, Scott Brownrigg & Turner, and Battson.
The birth of Brutalism
Emerging in the 1950s, early Brutalism was shaped by architects such as Le Corbusier and the Smithsons, though its origins are debated. Often linked to the French term béton brut, meaning raw concrete, the style champions bold structure and exposed material.
Perspective Drawing of Office Block and Shops Development, West Byfleet, Surrey (1962) by Scott, Brownrigg & TurnerThe Blower Foundation
Brutal Britain
In post-war Britain, Brutalism shaped civic centres, housing estates, and cultural buildings. Projects such as the Barbican by Chamberlin, Powell & Bon responded to an acute housing need, balancing architectural form with social purpose - though not always public affection.
Drawings of the Proposed West, East and South Elevations of the Tonbridge Civic Centre, Tonbridge, Kent (1963) by Scott, Brownrigg & TurnerThe Blower Foundation
Set beside Tonbridge Castle, Scott Brownrigg & Turner’s proposed Civic Centre places Brutalism in dialogue with historic fabric. Horizontal floor plates, repetitive windows and an exposed structural grid express Brutalist principles whilst responding to the site topography.
Architectural Drawing of South East and South West Elevations, Stroud, Gloucestershire (1980) by Battson, AThe Blower Foundation
Antony Battson’s hotel in Stroud adapts Brutalist principles to a smaller scale. Its vertical form, repetitive structure, and minimal detailing embrace concrete and material honesty, demonstrating how Brutalist principles aligned with functional building types such as hotels.
Going global
Barrie Dewhurst’s archive offers a remarkable window into Brutalism around the world. His work charts its global spread, revealing how the language of concrete adapted to climate and culture far beyond Europe.
Perspective Drawing of the Proposed Library and Student Residence, Shiraz University, Iran (1965) by Dewhurst, BThe Blower Foundation
A concrete campus
A perspective drawing captures Shiraz University as a network of terraces, walkways, and shared spaces. Brutalism appealed to universities for its clarity, economy, and sense of order, reflecting educational ideals in concrete form while also meeting practical, functional needs.
The campus model reveals spatial intent: clustered buildings arranged around a central plaza. Brutalism’s strength lay not just in bold forms and in organising movement, but also in enabling cost-effective development.
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Viewed today, Shiraz University's sandy, warm-toned walls show that, unlike glass and steel, concrete carries the character of its surroundings - its terroir. This gives Brutalist buildings across the globe distinct local identity rather than a universal appearance.
Colour Photograph of the Completed General Hospital Entrance, Tripoli, Libya (1965) by Dewhurst, BThe Blower Foundation
Ordered for health
Built in the 1970s, the General Hospital at Al Kahdra displays raw, rhythmic concrete forms typical of Brutalist architecture. Slanted window casings exhibit how the style adapts to Libya’s hot climate, offering shade and natural cooling.
Architectural Drawing of North and South Elevations, General Hospital, Tripoli, Libya (1965) by Dewhurst, BThe Blower Foundation
Architectural drawings of the hospital emphasise its repetitive and bold structural form. Brutalism promised durability, yet its structural transparency left buildings exposed, not just visually, but to the elements. Many Brutalist structures, while economical, have proven vulnerable over time.
Postcard Drawing of the Completed University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq (1965) by Dewhurst, BThe Blower Foundation
Monumental Brutalism
A postcard drawing of the University of Baghdad presents Brutalism as optimistic, shifting toward monumentality in a manner reminiscent of Le Corbusier's Chandigarh. Architecture, landscape, and infrastructure merge, conveying education as an organised and purposeful national endeavour.
Photograph of Site Model and Perspective Drawing of Entrance Gate at the University of Baghdad, Iraq (1965) by Dewhurst, BThe Blower Foundation
Further drawings and models of the university reveal ceremonial arches and axial planning. Here, Brutalism shifts from austerity to expression, creating monumental yet raw concrete forms shaped by climate, symbolism, and local identity.
Perspective Drawing of the Dining Hall and Library, University of Lagos, Nigeria (1965) by Dewhurst, BThe Blower Foundation
The architecture of learning
At the University of Lagos, Dewhurst’s buildings were adapted to their surroundings, with horizontal layers creating shaded canopies. While each building is distinct, recurring architectural motifs create a unified campus identity.
A photo of the completed engineering building in Lagos highlights intricate geometric shapes formed of exposed concrete. These details were designed to modulate sunlight, providing shade and keeping occupants cool.
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Seen today, the weathered concrete of the engineering building reveals Brutalism's unresolved tension. Exposed structure demands care; without it, concrete cancer, staining and weathering turn honesty of material into a visible air of neglect.
Photograph of Completed Academic Facilities, University of Lagos, Nigeria (1965) by Dewhurst, BThe Blower Foundation
A chapter of history
Celebrated by some and dismissed by others, the case studies explored in this story reveal Brutalism as an architectural style shaped by place and time. These buildings stand as testament to a significant chapter in the history of architecture, one that continues to be written.
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