This is a wonderful essay, John. It almost (but not quite) makes me appreciate Brutalist architecture! The HUD Building is indeed iconic and Highsmith's photos are fabulous, but I generally find Brutalist architecture to be cold and off-putting. I used to teach at UDC, and that campus always felt barren and lifeless, one concrete bunker after another.
Thanks Chris. I appreciate your perspective and think many people probably share it. I would agree that the UDC campus is not a particularly inspiring example of Brutalism. The old Arts & Sciences Library is due to be torn down soon and replaced with a new DC Archives building. I think that will be a welcome improvement!
There is an exhibit on Brutalism around the DC area, called Capital Brutalism, that is well worthwhile. At the National Building Museum through June 30th.
Perhaps ironic as an example of brutalist architecture… can give you that. But nevertheless there is something inhuman and forbidding about it. I urge those interested to walk that block and see what it evokes. There is nothing inviting or gentle in that aggressive pile of concrete. Even the umbrellas evoke dominance rather than shelter.
Thank you for highlighting the HUD building and referencing the "Guiding Principles..." For those of us who care about architecture and the important role it plays in our civic life, one can only feel grave concern when considering the President's 20 January 2025 EO. That said, the historical link between Brualism and totalitarian ideologies might cause some to consider keeping the Breuer building as a government holding.
"I hereby direct the Administrator of the General Services Administration, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the heads of departments and agencies of the United States where necessary, to submit to me within 60 days recommendations to advance the policy that Federal public buildings should be visually identifiable as civic buildings and respect regional, traditional, and classical architectural heritage in order to uplift and beautify public spaces and ennoble the United States and our system of self-government. Such recommendations shall consider appropriate revisions to the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture and procedures for incorporating community input into Federal building design selections."
This is a wonderful essay, John. It almost (but not quite) makes me appreciate Brutalist architecture! The HUD Building is indeed iconic and Highsmith's photos are fabulous, but I generally find Brutalist architecture to be cold and off-putting. I used to teach at UDC, and that campus always felt barren and lifeless, one concrete bunker after another.
Thanks Chris. I appreciate your perspective and think many people probably share it. I would agree that the UDC campus is not a particularly inspiring example of Brutalism. The old Arts & Sciences Library is due to be torn down soon and replaced with a new DC Archives building. I think that will be a welcome improvement!
There is an exhibit on Brutalism around the DC area, called Capital Brutalism, that is well worthwhile. At the National Building Museum through June 30th.
https://nbm.org/exhibitions/capital-brutalism/
Perhaps ironic as an example of brutalist architecture… can give you that. But nevertheless there is something inhuman and forbidding about it. I urge those interested to walk that block and see what it evokes. There is nothing inviting or gentle in that aggressive pile of concrete. Even the umbrellas evoke dominance rather than shelter.
Thank you for highlighting the HUD building and referencing the "Guiding Principles..." For those of us who care about architecture and the important role it plays in our civic life, one can only feel grave concern when considering the President's 20 January 2025 EO. That said, the historical link between Brualism and totalitarian ideologies might cause some to consider keeping the Breuer building as a government holding.
"I hereby direct the Administrator of the General Services Administration, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the heads of departments and agencies of the United States where necessary, to submit to me within 60 days recommendations to advance the policy that Federal public buildings should be visually identifiable as civic buildings and respect regional, traditional, and classical architectural heritage in order to uplift and beautify public spaces and ennoble the United States and our system of self-government. Such recommendations shall consider appropriate revisions to the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture and procedures for incorporating community input into Federal building design selections."