Comments on: Brutal East End

By: Stephen Barker

Stephen Barker — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 17:15:53 +0000

As for the point about the absence of people in the photos believe that this is a deliberate choice of the photographer who is concentrating on the architecture, not the streetscape.

It is unfortunate that not all buildings estates were designed and built to the same high standard of the Barbican, Golden Lane and Keeling House.

I agree that high rise flats are not suitable for everyone, but I would argue that lack of maintenance and changes in housing policies contributed to the decline of high rise housing as a solution for to meeting demand for social housing. Tower blocks seem to be very popular for luxury flats as witnessed by the number built in London in recent years.

At its best Brutalism has created some very fine buildings but poorly designed, built and maintained it can create appear very unattractive and hostile to those who have to live with it.

By: Shawdian

Shawdian — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 04:36:13 +0000

Yes, the majority of people going from a decrepit slum dwelling would think these flats were a palace on the internal. But this does not detract from the point of view of many that these buildings are ugly, claustrophobic monstrosities. I for one feel sickly and headachey at the sight of them when ever I spend time living in London and come across them. I now live on a tiny island and thank my lucky stars I do not see any brutal architecture . It is all a matter of ‘personal point of view’. The only way I can justify these buildings, is when I have done linear sketches of the buildings, lots of intricate detail and fascinating shapes to record.

By: kristine dillon

kristine dillon — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 02:09:20 +0000

I know that opinions are strong regarding this style of architecture. It’s good to reflect on what has or has not work for the people who are expected to live and work in these buildings. Going forward, one might choose not to build structures such as these. This being said, it seems a shame to demolish theses buildings simply because some people don’t care for the structures stylistically. I think these buildings represent a chapter in the history of London, telling an essential part of a story. If they are all demolished, it will be like trying to read a history book that is missing large sections from various chapters. It must be human nature to embrace what is new and unique, only to loose interest in it and eventually dismiss it as not worthy of the space of land it occupies. Who here would not give their back teeth to see all the lovely buildings of old London still standing, I know I would. It would be a shame to make another similar mistake and knock all these building down.

By: ROBERT GREEN

ROBERT GREEN — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 20:43:27 +0000

It has been claimed in the comments above that some people who were moved into these type of buildings when they started to appear after the post war slum clearance programs had got underway thought they were wonderful at first but that in itself should not be taken as an endorsement of this style of construction, many of those people had previously been living in property’s that were so appalling almost anything would have been seen as an exciting improvement, I wonder how many of the architects who designed these places actually chose to spend their lives living in these type of buildings themselves ? ?

By: Vicky

Vicky — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 20:09:35 +0000

Matt – that is the staircase on the SW side of Petticoat Square, Middlesex Street Estate. Functional and beautiful and makes me smile too.

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 19:50:24 +0000

Like marmite, people love or hate Brutalism! I guess I’m in a minority but I find Brutalism fascinating and, yes, (strangely) attractive. Thanks for sharing these photos and I’m glad to read in the comments that I am not alone.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 18:04:04 +0000

It’s easy to scoff at Brutalism and the name is unfortunate. How many other styles were despised by those a generation later and threatened with being torn down?

I grew up near the University of East Anglia and loved the Brutalist architecture there that was very well done, especially the pyramid-shaped residence halls. Now in the US, I nostalgically pass Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. It is modelled after those UEA pyramids. Rising amid the traditional red brick loveliness clothing most of campus, I find it fascinating that Harvard chose Brutalism to house their architecture department.

By: Annie G

Annie G — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 15:33:23 +0000

I have always rather like brutalism and London has some fine examples. I used to sit in the classroom of St Bartholomew’s Hospital School of Nursing and gaze out of the window at the blocks of the Barbican…and all the rest of the building going on in 1978. The skyline was still quite clear then. Glad these works are being acknowledged and recorded.

By: Matt Nicholls

Matt Nicholls — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 13:55:57 +0000

Like all styles of architecture, there will be some which is breath taking in its vision, implementation and synergy of the environment within which it stands and some which will be generic, uninventive and mass produced mundaneness.
The external staircase of Artisan House (?) viewed from the corner of Artisan Street and Harrow Place brings a smile to my face every time.

By: Ian dicks

Ian dicks — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 10:58:34 +0000

I like architecture…good architecture…new or old is irrelevant.
Good architecture should arise from, and with respect its surrounding environment not ignore it.
Good architecture should have a sense humanity of about it.
It is interesting that the photos show no people . If we people them I our minds eye who do we see?.Winos in sleeping bags invisible to hurrying humanoids on phones escaping into their own digital fairy land .
This architecture breeds inhumanity and the heartbreaking trend continues not just in London but throughout the land…if this price sounds depressing don’t blame me, blame architecture!