I kind of enjoyed the first part of the film, thought the second wasn't as good and the epilogue seemed rushed and as if they had run out of budget ( and I don't mean the faux video style ) But my biggest disappointment - as Andrew says below - was it wasn't really about brutalist architecture - which is what I was hoping for ...
What's wrong with the movie. I saw a trailer but didn't get what the full story is, only that it's a 3,5 hour long movie. I mean that's great, but I've got poems to write!😂
To be honest I think it should have been seven hours long - they just seemed to take a very slow pace ( which was wonderful ) and then run out of time to finish the movie properly … and with it being called ‘the brutalist’ you would think it would have a bit more architecture in it!
As far as I know it is - I had a nightmare to get in and photograph it - they had a security guard and gate and they wouldn't let me in. In the end I pleaded with him that I had come all the way from London to photograph it and he phoned through and they say okay as long as I wasn't going inside.
I will do a Goldfinger post at some point - I have some other interesting ones!
Delighted to see Trellick and Balfron here. Regard Brutalist gently, and it does become less brutal, doesn't it?
Britain is seriously having to rethink its housing policies. It has gigantic stocks of unoccupied property and the longest social waiting lists in Europe. All the talk is about affordable housing, which we know no one will be able to afford, even if it is built as promised. These photos are eulogy to a former time when vision was applied to assuaging the need to house the population. This is not Metro-land, but it's also not Grenfell.
You cannot offer bricks and mortar as a risk-free, guaranteed investment opportunity AND as affordable housing in one and the same breath. We don't need investment opportunities and short-term furnished lets, we need housing solutions, and perhaps these and a structured financial policy on their ownership will offer them.
Thank you Graham - I don't think a post about Brutalism would be complete without at least one of Trellick or Balfron! The article looks interesting I'll give it a proper read. Social housing over here is in such a state ... There's a great book about Sydney Cook which is worth taking a look at, if you haven't already,
Beautiful shots. Love me a bit of brutalism. I have lived round the corner to Trellik for over 30 years and I never tire of seeing it. I think it's beautiful. Good to see these other ones in here too. Love that first shot of Centrepoint.
p.s I also thought the film was about brutalist architecture and only found out last night it wasn't..should be done under the trades description act for false advertising ;)
Thank you! Have always loved Trellick from before my days living in London I'd pass it on the train in and then whilst here I would visit periodically to photograph it. A couple years back I went into one of the flats for Open House weekend and I fell in love with it all over again ...
The Trellick and Balfron towers bear some resemblance I just notice. I thought it was the same from different angles. Same architect though. What in his mind made him replicate that similar idea five years later?
He basically corrected, or tried to correct, the faults that he found in Balfron. When Balfron was built he and his wife lived in one of the flats to find out how the building 'worked' and it was from this experience that he improved Trellick ...
I was expecting to see the Barbican here and I did! Wow! There's a Highgate brutalist block somewhere that I can't remember the name for. Or is it the one you posted? Great pictures of not so great brutal architecture.
I have SO many photos of the Barbican and Golden Lane Estate - It's somewhere I'm drawn to everytime I go back to London. There are quite a few interesting places around Highgate - the one I posted - Highgate New Town, is actually more in Archway than Highgate ...
Classic! Shame about the recent film.
I kind of enjoyed the first part of the film, thought the second wasn't as good and the epilogue seemed rushed and as if they had run out of budget ( and I don't mean the faux video style ) But my biggest disappointment - as Andrew says below - was it wasn't really about brutalist architecture - which is what I was hoping for ...
What's wrong with the movie. I saw a trailer but didn't get what the full story is, only that it's a 3,5 hour long movie. I mean that's great, but I've got poems to write!😂
To be honest I think it should have been seven hours long - they just seemed to take a very slow pace ( which was wonderful ) and then run out of time to finish the movie properly … and with it being called ‘the brutalist’ you would think it would have a bit more architecture in it!
I see, what is it about then?
It’s about the journey of an immigrant architect escaping post war Europe to try to make it in America …
Yes, I got that from the trailer… you’re not giving any spoilers.
I thought it was a very good film - although it had little to do with brutalist architecture!
My favourite photographic topic! Great photos. Is the Carr & Co building still standing?
As far as I know it is - I had a nightmare to get in and photograph it - they had a security guard and gate and they wouldn't let me in. In the end I pleaded with him that I had come all the way from London to photograph it and he phoned through and they say okay as long as I wasn't going inside.
I will do a Goldfinger post at some point - I have some other interesting ones!
Very dedicated of you! I look forward to reading your Goldfinger post. I have a Lasdun one waiting to be written too!
I likewise look forwards to that - love his work.
A visual poem, indeed. Great photos!
Thank you!
I haven't seen the film or visited London, but I enjoyed the angles and lines in these shots.
Always interesting looking at things from your perspective. Thank you!
Thank you Linda - architecture is a favourite photographic subject of mine for sure.
Enjoying this collection. Btw, I also have one post about such buildings which was boosted on Medium. You can take a look if you want. I don't like to share links to my work, but in this case I find it appropriate:) https://lenschronicles.substack.com/p/concrete-dreams-photo-journey-through
Thank you Davor - your article was fascinating... you should share - I will!
Thanks Richard! I thought you will like it;)
Great work! Love the photographs!
Thanks Susanne!
Beautiful work. All the angles. Juxtaposition of old and new. Incredible.
Appreciate it Monica - thank you!
Delighted to see Trellick and Balfron here. Regard Brutalist gently, and it does become less brutal, doesn't it?
Britain is seriously having to rethink its housing policies. It has gigantic stocks of unoccupied property and the longest social waiting lists in Europe. All the talk is about affordable housing, which we know no one will be able to afford, even if it is built as promised. These photos are eulogy to a former time when vision was applied to assuaging the need to house the population. This is not Metro-land, but it's also not Grenfell.
You cannot offer bricks and mortar as a risk-free, guaranteed investment opportunity AND as affordable housing in one and the same breath. We don't need investment opportunities and short-term furnished lets, we need housing solutions, and perhaps these and a structured financial policy on their ownership will offer them.
This caught my interest, and may perhaps catch yours: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-02-01/new-book-explores-brutalist-architecture-of-france-s-communist-party
Thank you Graham - I don't think a post about Brutalism would be complete without at least one of Trellick or Balfron! The article looks interesting I'll give it a proper read. Social housing over here is in such a state ... There's a great book about Sydney Cook which is worth taking a look at, if you haven't already,
https://www.lundhumphries.com/products/cooks-camden
I've been to a lot of the places designed and built under his command and they are, mostly, wonderful.
Appreciate the return tip!
Beautiful shots. Love me a bit of brutalism. I have lived round the corner to Trellik for over 30 years and I never tire of seeing it. I think it's beautiful. Good to see these other ones in here too. Love that first shot of Centrepoint.
p.s I also thought the film was about brutalist architecture and only found out last night it wasn't..should be done under the trades description act for false advertising ;)
Thank you! Have always loved Trellick from before my days living in London I'd pass it on the train in and then whilst here I would visit periodically to photograph it. A couple years back I went into one of the flats for Open House weekend and I fell in love with it all over again ...
The Trellick and Balfron towers bear some resemblance I just notice. I thought it was the same from different angles. Same architect though. What in his mind made him replicate that similar idea five years later?
He basically corrected, or tried to correct, the faults that he found in Balfron. When Balfron was built he and his wife lived in one of the flats to find out how the building 'worked' and it was from this experience that he improved Trellick ...
I see, had no idea. Method architect then. In my view, they look like a horrendous prison.
I was expecting to see the Barbican here and I did! Wow! There's a Highgate brutalist block somewhere that I can't remember the name for. Or is it the one you posted? Great pictures of not so great brutal architecture.
I have SO many photos of the Barbican and Golden Lane Estate - It's somewhere I'm drawn to everytime I go back to London. There are quite a few interesting places around Highgate - the one I posted - Highgate New Town, is actually more in Archway than Highgate ...
…brutal post…