Brutalism

Brutalism represents more than just a modernist architectural style defined by raw concrete and monolithic forms; it functions as a visual manifestation of the state and its institutional power. Unlike the transient, transparent nature of neoliberal glass-box architecture, Brutalist structures are "seamed by time," absorbing environmental traces and historical wear. These buildings often intentionally disorient users, creating difficult entry points that force a reorientation toward the institution itself. While frequently criticized for being dingy or inaccessible, the style remains a significant artifact of 20th-century internationalism and decolonization. Nasser Mufti, a literature scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago, highlights how these structures—ranging from university campuses to municipal halls—embody a complex, often contradictory relationship between state authority and the citizens who navigate these spaces daily.