Perhaps no other architectural style elicits the emotional reaction that brutalism does. Brutalist architecture looks heavy and immovable but is artistically sculptural giving it unique qualities that rely on depth to create patterns and compositions utilizing light and shadows.

Brutalist architecture also relies heavily on shock and awe - controversially emphasizing the use of unfinished materials such as béton brut (raw concrete) on exterior surfaces. Buildings that look so austere and dramatic in sketches are often called drab and dehumanizing in person. The sometimes unsettling mix of materials, textures and construction often lead to highly expressive forms that consist of straight lines, unusual shapes and memorable structures. 

A hallmark of brutalist architecture is an imposing first impression - achieved by tall windowless walls and exposed structural supports. The massive silhouettes of brutalist buildings are neither warm nor welcoming, yet they are intriguing, menacing and lust-inducing.



The shunning of decoration in favor of a monastically severe composition describes more of an emotional mindset in brutalist design - trading lofty ideals of beauty and warmth for the cold, hard truth. There is no embellishment, only bare essentials that mimic the reaction against artificiality. 

Minimalism within brutalist architecture and interior design echoes the values of utility and occupation over aesthetics - with human interaction being the key component that drives design. The argument can be made that brutalism's aesthetic is function and brutalist architecture's true innovation comes from creating a space that drives human connection.



IMPERIA continues to explore worldwide applications of brutalist design ethos via physical and digital experiences to further elevate the human condition.