The wide spread of modernism in architecture gave rise to a huge number of directions. One of the forms that is memorable for its deliberate rudeness and harshness is the direction of brutalism. Originally founded in Great Britain, it spread massively to Europe and the USSR. The period of the 50-80s of the 20th century was at the very peak of its popularity.
The founder of the movement was the architect Le Corbusier. His projects of the post-war period served as a starting point for the married couple of English architects Alison and Peter Smithson. The term “brutalism” they coined—“raw concrete”—was described in detail in articles that revealed the character and views of the new movement.
Features of the brutalist style
The main concept of the fashionable but controversial style is sculptural and strict lines. Originating in opposition to bourgeois society, it excludes architectural decorative techniques and does not hide, but on the contrary, exposes the texture of materials. Features inherent only to this style characterize its focus:
- Functionality and space.
Brutalism in the interior implies a spacious environment in which each piece of furniture has its place and serves specific purposes; - Thorough and quality materials.
The predominant materials in the interior: concrete, wood, metal and glass; - Simplicity and "honesty".
The interior is decorated in natural color palette, with a minimum of decorative details.
Brutalism in materials and decoration
The materials used to create the style comply with the principle of “honesty”. Concrete walls and ceilings are not hidden under a layer of paint or plasterboard. An acceptable solution is to coat it with colorless varnish.
The combination of natural materials with non-standard solutions gives an elusive, light touch of originality. Combination of wood and monolithic concrete, glass and stone as a whole create an inimitable image, which reflects the features of brutalism.
Elements metal frames, sheet iron in a mixture of glass and wood enhance the emphasis in comparing the textures of these materials. The individuality of the style is built on this incompatible juxtaposition. The contrast between brutalism and glamor is demonstrated.
Brutalism in the interior: furniture
The requirements for furniture must convey the character of the style. This implies a limited availability of items in the room. No extras, only the essentials. The forms are simple and strict, there is a complete absence of even a hint of decoration. Preferred is built-in furniture, or compact and practical furniture placed along the walls. In its placement, the main thing is to achieve the effect of “invisibility”.
Natural material and naturalness of textures is the main rule for such furniture.
As in interior design, this furniture is also characterized by a combination of materials. Metal cabinets with wooden doors, concrete base dining table with glass top.
The colors of the furniture are laconic, not blurry. This style is not characterized by any variety color shades. Make a choice in favor of one or two colors.
Color solution
Due to a number of style features, choosing a color solution is very difficult. Designers advise stopping at light colors, since such a design brings some attractiveness and freshness to the interior. At the same time, the principles and foundations of the direction are not violated.
Natural tones in the design of walls are welcome, but it is permissible to highlight one of the surfaces with a bright, saturated color to add volume.
Unique decor and lighting
Access to natural light in the interior is maximized. It is assigned the function of natural decor. Sun glare and chiaroscuro on concrete walls create unique effects.
The choice of lamps and lamps is based on the principle of minimalism. No extravagance or chic. Simple forms with right angles and edges or spherical in the shape of plates.
Combined materials and different shapes allow you to complement the interior of your home. Glass and metal, plastic and wood are embodied in lighting fixtures, suspended on chains or wires, organically fit into this style.
Replacing figurines and souvenirs with corrugated hoods and metal pipes. Minimal amount home photos and paintings. Instead, there are several books on the shelf. Nothing that could decorate the room. Bare walls that don't need accessories are true beauty. This is the concept of the brutalist interior style.
Brutalism style in the interior - photo:
View from the hall to the living room and kitchen. Sofa, Minotti. Side tables, Walter Knoll. Floor lamp, Zeitraum. Interior doors with hidden frames are made to order according to architects' sketches. The floor is Chaletino oak plank from Boen.
“From the very beginning, our customers and I jokingly dubbed this project “The Magic World of Concrete.” That was the name of the book that dad read in the cartoon “Peppa Pig,” the architects laugh. “The owners of the apartment are a young family with a child, so this reference was close to both parties.”
Four-room apartment with an area of 170 square meters is located in a new building, where the clients invited architects at the stage of purchasing the property. “This is a very practical approach; in the future it will avoid many problems for both architects and clients,” note Alexander and Anna. - Especially considering the minimalist aesthetics we chose. This style implies close attention to the play of textures, the amount of natural light and the logic of the layout and puts forward quite high demands on the initial parameters of the room.”
“From the very beginning, among ourselves, we called this project “the magical world of concrete”Kitchen, Eggersmann. Leather sofa, Walter Knoll. Accessories, Michael Verheyden. Bar stools, Piet Boon. The floor is Chaletino oak plank from Boen.
The laconic and maximally functional layout is made taking into account the preservation of a panoramic view from all points of the apartment. At the same time, everything unnecessary is removed out of sight. Interior doors, for example, have built-in frames, thanks to which they visually merge with the wall. The living room is decorated with luxurious leather panels. It turns out that they are sliding and hide a home theater behind them. The effect of textures is enhanced by architectural lighting on tracks with spotlights.
Dining room. Glass table with metal I-beams and concrete base, Roche Bobois. Chairs, Piet Boon. Leather sofa, Walter Knoll. Hanging lamp, Stéphane Davidts. Textiles, de Le Cuona and Loro Piana. Kitchen, Eggersmann. Vases, Michael Verheyden.“Even at the concept stage, the customers and I determined that the main color would be gray, and the leading material would be concrete,” Krause continues. - Therefore, the color scheme of the interior is all shades of gray, and the textures imitate concrete and traces of wooden formwork. By the way, one of the most difficult moments of the project was the desire to achieve decorative covering realistic concrete effect. Architecture is primary for us; straight lines, thoughtful lighting and brutal forms are very important to us.”
View from the kitchen to the living room. Kitchen island, Eggersmann, completely finished in granite. Sliding leather panels hide the home theater screen. Decorative painting with imitation concrete is applied not only to the ceiling, but also to the speaker boxes. Architectural lighting on tracks with spotlights enhances the play of textures. Sofa, Minotti. Side tables, Walter Knoll. Floor lamp, Zeitraum.However, this does not mean at all that only micro-concrete and decorative plaster are used in interior design. A logical addition to them was the already mentioned genuine leather, metallized panels, wood, and natural stone. The huge kitchen island looks monolithic due to a single granite cladding. The bathroom, entirely tiled in marble, appears to have been carved from a single piece of stone.
The design of the second bathroom is based on a combination natural stone and concrete. Faucets, Vola. The master bathroom is completely tiled with marble. Faucets, Vola.In the bedroom, bronze wall panels are combined with rough concrete that retains traces of wooden formwork. But don't believe your eyes. Upon closer inspection, this concrete turns out to be warm-to-the-touch wallpaper from a Dutch brand known for its incredible photo quality. “Thanks to this wallpaper, as well as the most delicate wool and linen, the brutal interior of the bedroom turned out to be very cozy and sophisticated in design. color scheme, say the architects. - As for furniture, we chose objects of simple, straight shapes, but complex colors and textures. One of the most unusual items became a French table with metal I-beams, massive concrete legs and a thin glass tabletop floating above them.
Hall. All interior doors with hidden boxes, custom-made according to architects' sketches. The floor is Chaletino oak plank from Boen. Bedroom. Wallpaper, NLXL, imitates concrete with traces of wooden formwork. Bronze Wall panels made according to architects' sketches. Pendant lamp, Zeitraum. Bedspread and pillows, de Le Cuona.In this project we managed to implement a large number of exclusive solutions, according to our sketches, doors, a leather-covered shelving unit, metallized panels, and decorative concrete were made, which are even used to decorate the home theater speakers. But most importantly, we managed to assemble this interior not so much through furniture and decor, but through the textures and architectural lines of the interior space. As a result, “The Magic World of Concrete” turned out to be truly magical and not at all boring.”
Architects Alexander and Anna Krause, , www.krauze-arch.com, @krauzearch
Hanging rack, Lago.The authors of the project, specialists from the ART-UGOL Design studio, did not choose between practicality and individuality, combining both principles with the help of an optimal layout and several bold decorative techniques. It turned out laconic rational interior with a slight brutal tint.
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On the picture:
Information about the apartment: standard studio apartment
About the owners: a young couple
Customer wishes: give the apartment individuality with a touch of brutality, use natural materials
Practicality and originality in the process of creating an interior often become antonyms: original planning ideas require abandoning simple rational decisions, designer designs take up too much space... It seemed that such a contradiction would arise when working with this apartment. Its owners set a task for the specialists of the ART-UGOL Design studio: to make the home functional and at the same time give individuality, to introduce a spirit of brutality into the interior. The designers coped with the task - a stylish interior was created in a standard one-room apartment, where there is everything you need: a living room, a bedroom with a large double bed, full kitchen with a bar area and a bathroom. The design of the living room, kitchen and bathroom is based on the contrast of “cold” and “warm” materials with pronounced textures.
One of the most striking details of the interior, forming its individuality, is outer wall bathtub, covered decorative plaster imitating stone. Its different facets can be seen from the hallway, living room and kitchen. The relief gray surface, lined with clear intersecting lines, represents the very brutal “highlight” that its owners wanted to see in the apartment.
The authors of the project separated the hallway from the room with a built-in wardrobe, thus forming the design of the bedroom-living room: a niche was formed on the side of the living room, turned into a sleeping area. The bed is installed on a podium from which drawers extend. The bedroom is separated from the living room by a thick dark curtain.
The photo clearly shows how horizontally located panels of light laminate visually expand the living room space. For the same purpose, the ceiling and upper part of the walls are painted white.
The functions of the dining room are performed by a wooden bar counter - the inhabitants of the apartment decided that this was quite enough for two. The wall, finished with decorative plaster, is varnished on the kitchen side, so it will get less dirty.
The combined bathroom repeats the motif present in other rooms: a combination of cold black, gray and white color range with warm wood. Plumbing original form allows you to add personality to even such a small room.
See the full project on the page of the competition “Best 3D Interior” studio apartment» on the website pinwin.ru. Link to project page: http://www.pinwin.ru/konkurs.php?kact=2&knid=27&rbid=4725
Other apartment projects on interiorexplorer.ru |
| Apartment interior from a project implemented by designer Artem Kornilov | Apartment interior from the project of the GraDiz design bureau | Apartment interior from a project implemented by designer Denis Furmanov |
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Search for non-standard solutions and more modern ideas in design leads to a young movement called brutalism. But to create an office space or furnish an apartment in such an extraordinary style, you need some courage and special taste preferences. Who is this suitable for? unusual design and what are its features?
Features of Brutalism
Finishing materials
Furniture and colors
Lighting and decor
Characteristic features of brutalism in the interior
The movement originated in Europe after World War II and initially related to architecture. The destroyed buildings required restoration as quickly as possible, so it was not possible to devote much time to work. So in the 50s of the last century, a style reflecting military events came into fashion.
The founder of brutalism in design is considered to be Paul Evans, who used rough metal to create furniture. At first glance, the brutalist style is similar to the loft: the same roughness, simplicity and deliberate imperfection.
However, brutalism is interesting in its combination of warm ocher tones with large-scale raw surfaces. The brutalist style is characterized by:
The monumentality of the materials used, including stone, metal, wood and concrete.
Spacious interior and high functionality of every decorative element.
Straightforwardness and simplicity with deliberately rough forms, devoid of all frills and decorations.
Obviously, a pronounced male character directions will appeal to strong, purposeful natures. The main concept of brutalism is sculpturality and severity of lines. The exposed texture of raw concrete is a kind of contrast with bourgeois trends.
Finishing materials for brutalism or loft
The peculiarity of finishing when creating brutalism is its absolute “honesty”. That is Brick wall does not hide behind an even and smooth layer of drywall. Reality should not be embellished; style is characterized by a full reflection of reality. All structures in the room are specially made heavier, becoming more massive and significant. Therefore, the area of the room must correspond to this direction.
Brutalism (Latin “brutus” – rough, heavy) originated in post-war Britain initially as architectural style. His philosophy was technological minimalism. Undisguised by anything brickwork, you can see the building frame, communications and wiring. Black metal, a lot of glass.
Architects Alison and Peter Smithson designed Hunstanton School, the first Brutalist building. Later with them light hand this trend has also become popular in interior design.
Characteristic features of the style:
- rough naturalness
- solidity and spaciousness
- rectangular shapes
- functionality
As if, in contrast to the bourgeoisie, brutalism does not hide, but deliberately flaunts the texture of materials. The masculine style refers to prehistoric times and evokes some associations with caves and rocks. Today the “cave” has become spacious, comfortable and stylish.
Brutalism is more suitable for large spaces. Its colors and character traits V small space may look gloomy, but in spacious halls, fundamentality and brevity become justified.
We all live in concrete boxes, and only brutalism took this literally and made it its virtue. The simplicity of the forms here looks very modern.
The functionality of the style is visible to the naked eye - a minimum of details, no sentimentality. It's all in. Suitable for rationalists, convenient for bachelors.
Materials and finishing
Raw concrete, wood, glass and metal. Plaster and wood of a natural color can only be coated with colorless varnish - naturalness is a priority. The floor is self-leveling, covered with tiles or solid wood. In wall decoration, “number one” is raw concrete.
Vertical surfaces can also be decorated with concrete panels and stone.
To emphasize the spaciousness and aesthetics of the style, glass partitions are used.
Metal structures can and should even be left in plain sight. Paint the metal black or leave it as is. By the way, if you want to add “warmth” and humanity to the interior, brutalism allows the use of copper - copper railings, pipes or, for example, a tabletop.
Brutal style furniture
There are no surprises here – stern and functional. The furniture is simple, comfortable, no frills. The shapes are rectangular, the materials are natural – leather, burlap, metal. Often the fittings are not hidden, but act as decor. The sofa, bathroom, sink, shelves - everything is on legs. This way there will be space under the furniture and it will not be so bulky.
The furniture is selected according to the general concept - geometricity, laconicism of forms. It can almost merge with the walls, creating a single natural “landscape”. Good decision For storing things there will be shelving and built-in wardrobes, invisible at first glance.
Color solution
Did you know how deep and rich this color can be? Charcoal, zircon, French gray. Respectable, calm, fundamental. A neutral palette predominates throughout the entire area, with virtually no bright spots. Muted tones, as if shrouded in haze. Natural wood color, refreshing white, stylish black, noble copper.
Unique decor
Brutalism does not tolerate decoration. Textiles are kept to a minimum - lint-free carpet, no curtains on the windows. Blinds are possible.
A characteristic accessory of the direction - floor lamp hanging in an arc over a sofa or table. Such details emphasize large spaces. Colors - metallic, black, white.
The walls are diluted with conceptual painting - expressionism, fauvism, abstraction. Wooden or metal panels are appropriate.
Stairs in brutalism are like a separate form of art. Concrete or wood, frameless or monolithic. Echoing industrial or high-tech trends.
Lighting Features
Large spaces decorated in a harsh brutalist style simply need as much natural light as possible. It’s good if there are several windows, ideal if they are panoramic.
For additional lighting there is always - floor lamps, lamps on rails, built-in panels.
The utilitarianism of brutalism fully meets the cultural trends of the 21st century. It looks like it came straight out of a men's magazine - rugged, stylish, modern. If you are not afraid of experiments, value convenience and space, a direction whose name speaks for itself is suitable.
