Brutalist Britain: The Rise of Concrete

Brutalist architecture is more popular now than it has ever been.

Imposing and dramatic, with monolithic concrete exteriors, it forms an enduring part of our postwar urban landscape. This beautifully photographed book is an authoritative survey of the finest British examples from the 1950s to the 1970s from leading architectural writer Elain Harwood, following on from her acclaimed books on art deco and mid-century architecture.

It features iconic public buildings like London’s National Theatre, imposing housing such as the Trellick Tower in West London and Park Hill in Sheffield, great educational institutions including the University of Sussex, and places of worship such as Liverpool’s glorious Metropolitan Cathedral, along with some lesser-known buildings such as Arlington House on Margate’s sea front, and an important section on the Brutalist masterpieces that have sadly been demolished.

Headed up with an introduction that places British brutalism within the context of global events and contemporary world architecture, the huge range of buildings is arranged into Private Houses and Flats, Public Housing, Educational Buildings, Public Buildings, Shops, Markets and Town Centres, Culture and Sport, Places of Worship, Offices and Industry and Transport, and there is a chapter on the atmospheric brutalist sculptures and murals that dot our cities.

If you’re part of the increasingly large ranks of brutalism fans, or interested in late 20th century architecture and society in general, Brutalist Britain is the book for you.