How to Love Brutalism

This insightful book, How to Love Brutalism, offers a personal look at the controversial architectural style and its passionate supporters.

In How to Love Brutalism, John Grindrod presents a heartfelt exploration of a controversial architectural style through a collection of 20 personal essays. Each essay is illustrated with captivating drawings by The Brutal Artist, providing a visual accompaniment to the author's insights. The book is structured into mini essays that delve into the world of brutalism from diverse perspectives, including human, architectural, historical, and even pop cultural angles. This multifaceted approach invites readers to engage with the style in a deeper way.

The author passionately articulates his own affection for brutalist buildings, which have sparked both admiration and disdain since their emergence. Readers will discover the compelling reasons behind the strong emotions these structures evoke, whether one loves or loathes them. Grindrod emphasizes the raw power of concrete and the monumental scale of these buildings, while also highlighting the more nuanced aspects that often go unnoticed. The book serves as a bridge for those new to the topic as well as seasoned enthusiasts of built culture.

Brutalism, which thrived from the 1950s to the mid-1970s, is rooted in the term 'Béton-brut', meaning raw concrete. The style, characterized by iconic buildings like Trellick Tower and Unité D'Habitation, has its fair share of controversy but also a devoted following. How to Love Brutalism takes readers on a global journey, exploring the influence of brutalism from the UK to India and Brazil, showcasing the movement's enduring legacy in architecture and culture.