en. Brutalism is an architectural style that emerged in the 1950s and was characterized by its use of geometric shapes, raw materials and an aesthetic that often emphasized functionality over ornamentation. The term 'brutalism' comes from the French 'béton brut', which means 'raw concrete', and refers to the preference for untreated concrete as the main material. Brutalist buildings often show unfinished concrete or with visible textures, which gives it a rough and robust appearance. Simple geometric shapes and heavy structures are used that often seem monolithic and monotonous. Outstanding architects were Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and Alison and Peter Smithson.
