Brutalist Architecture
The term originates from the French word for "raw" in the term used by Le Corbusier to describe his choice of material béton brut (raw concrete). It is an era or a movement in architecture that flourished from the 1950s to the mid-1970s. These style became popular to many countries including Philippines.
Brutalist buildings are usually formed with repeated modular elements forming masses representing specific functional zones, distinctly articulated and grouped together into a unified whole. Concrete is used for its raw and unpretentious honesty, contrasting dramatically with the highly refined and ornamented buildings.
Brutalist buildings are usually formed with repeated modular elements forming masses representing specific functional zones, distinctly articulated and grouped together into a unified whole. Concrete is used for its raw and unpretentious honesty, contrasting dramatically with the highly refined and ornamented buildings.
BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
1) Philippine International Convention Center (PICC)
The Philippine International Convention Center made history as Asia's first international convention center. Designed by Leandro V. Locsin, a Filipino National Artist in Architecture.
The rear view of PICC.
As we got there, we took a doubt if we were permitted to go inside.
But one thing that bears in our mind, that we need to enter inside no matter what happens and for us to be able to witness what’s inside.
Even in just a glance you can say already that this building is a brutalist. From the consistency of the material that is used to the building around to firmness of the structure itslef. The main characteristics of brutalism is present on this building like: the massiveness of the structure and the rawness of the materials.
2) Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP Complex)
The Cultural Center of the Philippines was created in 1966 with the purpose of promoting and preserving Filipino arts and culture.Since then, the CCP has sought to truly embody its logo of katotohanan (truth), kagandahan (beauty) and kabutihan (goodness).
The structure was designed by National Artist for Architecture, Architect Leandro V. Locsin, then later design many of the other buildings in CCP Complex.
The brutalism style of Cultural Center of the Philippines was made it to be known. Its design of brutalism and the use concrete material done in a massive and big geometric form, the curvy lines supporting one large cuboid and repetitive elements of exterior detail of the building is one that will really make you look at it.
By the way Brutalist Architecture usually are formed with striking repetitive angular geometries, and, where concrete is used, often revealing the texture of the wooden forms used for the in-situ casting. Although concrete is the material most widely associated with Brutalist architecture, not all Brutalist buildings are formed from concrete. Instead, a building may achieve its Brutalist quality through a rough, blocky appearance, and the expression of its structural materials, forms, and services on its exterior.
3) Manila Film Center
The Manila Film Center is a national building located at the southwest end of the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay, Philippines. The structure was designed by architect Froilan Hong where its edifice is supported on more than nine hundred piles[1] which reaches to the bed-rock about 120 feet below. The Manila Film Center served as the main theater for the First Manila International Film Festival[2] (MIFF) January 18–29, 1982. The building has also been the subject of controversies due to an accident that happened during the final stages of its construction in 1981.
Even though there are many massive columns standing in front the building, you will still be afraid to go closer for the dimension of the upper part of the building is too big. The designs are minimized but exaggerated. Those textures are expansive and expressive.
