I try not to be negative, it’s not conducive to wellbeing and besides, I just don’t like it.
Brutilism
On this occasion, I will make an exception and one of the reasons is because I think I may have been hoodwinked by a bunch of amazing words by the presenter of this T.V. show. Brutalism, what sort of word is that? It reminds me of my secondary school days, that was full of brutalism! When Wally Megson threw his 18 stone body on your unsuspecting back in the playground so you hit the concrete floor like a sack of potatoes, that is brutalism. Being tackled on the football pitch by an opponent who only wants to break your legs, that’s brutalism.
Concrete Lump
A concrete lump in the middle of a field with a window and door isn’t brutalism, it’s an ugly, hard mess. Before I get to carried away, I was watching a T.V. show called Grand Designs, which follows a couple that wants to build their dream home from scratch and usually, the program lives up to its name. However, on this occasion, it was nothing short of fly-tipping. A huge pile of concrete dumped on a piece of land. I’m hoping the couple who built this thing is not reading this, but, I make no apologies, it was awful.
Inside
Even the inside was drab, cold and nothing but concrete. It reminded me of those pedestrian subways you used to see in cities, but at least some of those were partly tiled and even brightened by some colour by the local graffiti artists. I’m sure there’ll be some who tell me to be quiet and mind my own business, which is fair comment. What irritates me though is how this place has been described, using sentences like “..the construction involves cutting-edge concrete technologies” or “…architectural brutalism at its very best!”
Back To Nature
Look at nature and animals in particular. Birds build nests from twigs and mud while Badgers and Moles dig themselves a hole in the earth. No concrete here, just natural materials. It’s quite an achievement to build a home to spend the rest of your life in, hopefully with the one you love. Why oh why use great huge chunks of concrete when there are so many other great materials of choice? Why not just purchase an old power generating sub-station and move in? At least they’re usually hidden away behind some flora and fauna.
Stop Moaning
Ok, I will stop moaning now, and wish the concrete terrorists all the very best with their new abode. I’m sure they’ll be very happy in it, but I’m not so sure about their neighbours. I realise that if we were all the same, life would be pretty boring and it’s good to see something different. But a concrete lump with a door and window is, dare I say it, brutal. I shall leave it at that.
There is a Grand Designs Magazine here:
Photographs Copyright of Grand Designs.
I cannot imagine anyone wanting to live in that horrible monstrosity!
Nor me. They say everyone wants to build their dream home, but this couple must have nightmares. Thank you, Jen. ????
I really like to read your blog articles
Thank you ????
Like you Trev I would hate to live in or next to such a house. I no longer have a TV – I watched it so little I decided I preferred its space – but when I used to watch Grand Designs I always preferred the quirky ones built of natural materials – one mention of ‘cutting edge’ and I switched off – metaphorically if not literally.
Thank you. There was a beautiful house one guy built who lived in a forest. All the materials were used from within a mile radius of where his house stood. That was a great house. ????
Well, it’s sturdy. And is that a lap swim pool outside? I would like that. Other than that, I’ll pass.
I’m not sure if it’s a swimming pool or a cesspit. Strange thing all round.
I think “architectural brutalism” is a term to sum up ‘concrete’ in itself. Sounds like an interesting Grand Designs episode though! I have to say, as I get older I get more disenchanted by concrete jungles & yearn for the bigger, greener spaces. xx
Thank you, Caz. Not my liking at all. ????
What I know about design and architecture would fit comfortably on a small postage stamp. However…the terminal my airline moved into back in 1970 was all concrete…just like that picture you posted. It was HORRIBLE. The concrete even smelled dank, like funerals. It was supposed to be modern and all that yuk, yuk. And YUK it was. They spent the next 50 years modifying and re-modifying it and you know what…now they are going to tear it down because nobody wants it. So guess what my opinion is of the concrete block with window and door is? To each his own but as you say, the neighbours…who wants to look at THAT? Looks like a WW2 bunker. Maybe they know something we don’t?
Well said, Yeti, thank you.
Maybe with a lot more landscaping … ??
An awful lot more landscaping. Thank you. ????
Hah! I had to look up what “fly-tipping” means: to dump waste illegally. Not an Americanism, so I never knew, although idiots do occasionally do that here too. “Brutalist” is an old 1950s style of architecture that was quick to go up and relatively cheap, with no frills, just straight lines and rectangles for doors and windows. The Russians and many American cities embraced it in their public works, so there you go. I’ve never found it beautiful either.
Thank you, Connie and I’m pleased you have learned a new saying. ????
Yuk!
My thoughts too, Peter, thank you.
Ah, makes me think of some of the Brutalism we have at work – now Grade 2 listed.
Oh dear. ????
I’m totally with you on this! It’s even worse than the monstrosity that has been built near me – at least that looks like a house, not a nuclear power station!
I know that not everyone may like it, but everyone has their own idea of living. I like that house. It is definitely more beautiful than those American wooden boxes with large glass windows that cannot be opened and paper walls that fall apart during the first hurricane. This house is safe even if there is an earthquake when there is a fire around and so on. It is really nice and especially safe. You can criticize for my opinion, I’m resistant to it. I look at things from a professional point of view. I’m an architect.
There will always be those that like this sort of thing although I doubt it will be the majority. I struggle to find the beauty in it, but thank you for your comment. ????
Oh dear, I’m sorry to hear this, Libby. ????
Well, that’s something to see. my style and I have a feeling it’s to be very cold in winter.
Meant to say NOT my style.
Thank you, Herb. Yes, I should imagine it’s cold in the winter. ????
I will stay where I am.
I don’t blame you, Susie. Thank you 🙂
I didn’t see the program but still I agree with you Where is the warmth…
Thank you, Sue. Yes, it does seem a very cold place. 🙁
Growing up in New York City everytime I went downtown I was surrounded by Brutilism. I escaped to get away from it. but it seems to follow us.
Perhaps a new owner in five or so years can cover it in soil and use it as a root cellar?
Thank you, let’s hope so.
I’m just hoping that the concrete lump you mention doesn’t smell as bad as the pedestrian subways I have experienced in the less controlled parts of our fair land. I’m inclined to agree about the ugly, hard, mess. 🙂
I know exactly what you mean. ????
Trev, I agree with you, it looks stark, cold, and pretty depressing! Concrete is a good, cheap building material, but they’ve overdone it here! 🙁 I hope you are safe and well! 🙂 All the best! Cheryl
Aren’t prisons built from concrete? There’s no personality to it. I don’t like it either. I remember Dodge Ball , that was brutalism… hated it.
Bomb shelters are back.
Would you like a promo code for my new audio book? The book for a review Audible says.
They are indeed, Leland. Thank you for the promo code offer, I’d be delighted. ????
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Thank you, Leland.
They are, Mrs Shecky. Yes you’re right, no personality. ???? thank you
Funny isn’t it how one persons idea of a cool trend is another’s idea of awful ????
Personally, I’m not into the concrete look either, especially in your home. It’s too cold feeling.
I think it is way too cold to make into a decent home. Thank you, Amanda ????
“Cutting edge concrete technologies”….Hmmmmm….concrete is pretty simple, other than some additives for specific purposes. Sounds like hype.
Exactly, hype all the way. Thank you. 🙂
There’s no upkeep. It will withstand hurricanes. Not so sure about earthquakes unless it has reinforced steel. It’s a great place for spiders to hangout in the corners. But most importantly, they love it. ;0)
I would prefer something softer with lots of widows. I like a lot of light.
I like you portrait paintings. Are they self portraits are commissioned.
Yes, they love it. Each to their own. My portraits are just what I do for myself, they keep me busy. Thank you. 🙂
Ugh. I can’t imagine living there. I would be so depressed!
Indeedy, my thoughts exactly Thank you, Lisa. ????
Being an Architect myself I cannot agree more. It just makes everything look mechanical and doesn’t feel homely
Thank you, Sruti. You’ve made a very good description. ????
Wow! I’ve never seen anything like it, but I agree with you. The place doesn’t look very comfy and homey. It reminds me of a concrete jail cell but to each his own. 🙂
Thank you, Cherie. You’re right about each to their own and it does look like some sort of prison. 🙂
the best this place will ever be is a house but it will never be a home
Very true. Thank you ????