Brutalist style is making a comeback

Brutalism is a widely recognized architectural style that emerged in the 1950s and has gained popularity worldwide. Its minimalist appearance features raw building materials such as concrete, brick, and steel, with more recent versions incorporating glass and wood.

While initially criticized for its rough, unpolished aesthetic, Brutalism is making a comeback and revealing its calming side. Its unfinished surfaces, rough textures, and neutral colors, combined with warm accents in wood or brass, create a unique atmosphere that blends elements of minimalism, mid-century and industrial chic, with innovative and sustainable materials, making it the perfect atmosphere to include a statement sofa like Rabelo, for example.

Rabelo sofa, Lago tables, Sartor lounge chair and Float bookshelf

The origins

The term "brutalism" originates from the French term "béton brut" meaning "exposed concrete" or "raw concrete," referring to the rough, untreated material used in this style. Swiss-French architect and designer Le Corbusier and British architects Alison and Peter Smithson are notable pioneers of the movement.

Brutalism has polarized opinions from the beginning, with its stark design generating both supporters and critics. Proponents appreciate its honest, authentic, and powerful aesthetics that focus on people and their reality. Additionally, the concrete materials used in brutalism offer an advantage in that they can be cast in any shape, making it a flexible style for interior design.

Brutalism in Interior Design

In interior design, brutalism was initially associated with a bold, dark, and raw atmosphere featuring concrete and metals. However, with the rise of organic brutalism, the style has moved towards incorporating natural wood and glass elements, along with angular geometric shapes.

Nido lounge chairs, Nido coffee | side tables, XI bookshelf

Rough textures, unfinished walls, neutral tones, and geometric forms are characteristic of Brutalist-inspired interior design, which has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Statement furniture pieces, unplastered walls in the classic concrete look, and large windows that allow natural light are popular features in this style.

Nido armchair and Vasco table

Nido armchair and Amos table

Contrary to its reputation, spaces designed in the Brutalist style appear neat and have a calming effect. Warm wooden pieces of furniture like the tables Vasco or Amos , dark stone surfaces, brass accents, and various light sources can provide pleasant contrasts and bring cosiness and functionality into harmony.