Brutalism began as an architectural style in the 1950s. It is known for using industrial materials and large, bold shapes, along with a simple and organic look. Over time, it moved beyond buildings to influence interior design, furniture, and even digital spaces. The main colours associated with this style are grey tones, which can be softened with warm colours from wood or clay. In Italy, there wasn't one single brutalist movement. Instead, various designs came together, including radical, postmodern, organic, and independent approaches, mixed with globally recognized brutalist features. This blend reflects the social aspects of brutalist projects from that time.
You can see Italian Brutalism in different types of buildings. These include institutional projects by architects like Viganò and Castiglioni, religious buildings by Guacci and Arrighetti, service industry structures by Zanuso, and residential designs by Perugini and Berarducci, among others.
Surprisingly, raw concrete, often linked to old car parks, is becoming popular again. In 2025, Brutalism is making a comeback, partly due to the film "The Brutalist", directed by Brady Corbet. However, this new wave is different from the cold, harsh designs of the past. Today’s brutalism is said to have character. It keeps a rough look but adds style. The square shapes are now seen as "warm" and inviting.
This new brutalism doesn’t just aim for starkness. It celebrates the beauty found in imperfections. An exposed concrete wall now represents strength, resilience, and "chic essentiality." People's views on brutalism change based on the environment. In warm places like Marseille, sunlight makes raw concrete look sculptural. In the UK's damp climate, however, concrete can quickly appear grey and worn down. For brutalist architects, aesthetics were not the only focus. They wanted their designs to express honesty and social progress by using simple materials instead of decorations. This choice represented a new, more equal society. While some critics saw this as oppressive, supporters viewed it as a bold and hopeful way to approach architecture.
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