If those monolithic slabs and the roughly finished architecture is your thing, then London has plenty for you. The uncompromising architectural style and the exceptional ‘brutalist’ buildings from London’s 60s are worth every penny of appreciation that it receives from visitors worldwide.
London’s 60s architecture and re-building post World War II
The destruction brought in by World War II raised the need for re-building, re-modelling and renovation of some of the large scale buildings; this gave the city planners an opportunity to come forward with their regenerative proposals where Patrick Abercrombie was probably among the most notable names in the campaign.
Patrick realised that it’s time to create a balance between green spaces, social housing and industrial applications which was much required in the post-war development scene. It was at this time that the concept of high rise tower communities came into picture as that was also seen accommodating the needs of growing population.
Abercrombie proposed the creation of ‘New Towns’ around ‘Green Belt’. The Barbican was designed to incorporate hosing, school, office blocks, water gardens, city museum, arts centre and so on. Bon and Chamberlin Powell were responsible for the redesigning of post-WWII London; they were behind Golden Lane Estate and The Barbican Estate.
It was the sixties architecture that made a remarkable impression on British landscape and skyline post-war. War damaged Britain required regeneration with the simple, fast and cheap construction methods and techniques. The style and design pioneered and inspired by the ‘Brutalist’ flourished between the 1950s and the 1970s and contrary to the previous designs, now the newer design was simple, unadorned monolithic concrete structure built along steel frame.
What’s with Brutalism?
There has always been a lot of confusion about who actually coined the term – Brutalism. It is believed that the Swedish architect Hans Asplund first used the term in a conversation in the year 1950 but first time it was used in written ever, was by Alison Smithson (English architect) in 1952. It was then when the term was borrowed from French architects. Now the term Brutalism refers to the unfinished, incomplete or roughly finished concrete.
Brutalist constructions in London showcased repetitive and striking angular geometries and concrete material that was majorly associated with the style but the use of the same concrete was still not seen as mandatory in the construction of the building that was declared a Brutalist structure.
Brutalist construction was quite popular in London between the 1950s and the 1970s and it was seen as an inexpensive construction and design method that paved way for low cost housing, office buildings and shopping centres. Also, few other large budget construction projects embraced this style as they saw some very smart and ‘futuristic’ qualities in Brutalist construction. Many architects of that time embraced the Brutalist style even with their large budget construction projects.
Britain was welcoming the new genre of ‘modernist’ designers and architects such as Owen Luder (Tricorn shopping centre), Sir Basil Spence (Conventry Cathedral), Alison and Peter Smithson (London’s ‘Economist’ building and ‘Robin Hood Gardens’), John Bancroft, Sir Denys Lasdun, Richard Seifert, Hungarian Erno Goldfinger (‘Trellick Tower’ designer) and many more. The Tricorn centre was one of the most dramatic Brutalist style building and a classic example of the Brutalist Genre.
Sir Denys Louis further contributed to the bold and dramatic Brutalist designs and some of the most deserving mentions here are Keeling House, the National Theatre, Royal college of Physicians, etc that were reshaping the London city during the 50s and 60s.
London’s Best 60s architecture
The Barbican
One of the best from the late Brutalist development that you will be lured with and that which houses the remarkable and wonderful Barbican centre is also home to London Symphony orchestra. It is the Barbican estate that accompanies the setup and gives its visitors an impression of being in a world famous Brutalist theme park. Also, the waterside setting crammed with fountains and reeds makes it a perfectly romantic location. The sky hugging towers are well contrasted with its warmly coloured beautiful tiled paving. 90 minute architectural tour of this location is highly recommended. Best known for the London Symphony Orchestra, Barbican is certainly the largest arts centre all under one roof in Europe.
Address: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS, United Kingdom Phone: 020 7638 8891
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner/Green Park Website: http://www.barbican.org.uk/
Tate Modern
In 1939, Tate Modern was closed for war; it survived the bombing damages even with its gallery being hit with roofing and offices being destroyed in 1940. Traces of the attack and the damage are also visible in the present day Tate Modern structure but most of the gems have been preserved. More than 160,000 prefabs were built after the world war and apart from this, there is really so much to see and do here that a visit to London city is never complete without Tate Modern. Housing Britain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art, The Turbine Hall running almost through the length of the entire building showcases some of the really amazing works by Cezanne, Matisse, Bonnard, Picasso, Dali, Rothko, Pollock, Bourgeois, Warhol and so on.
Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG, United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)20 7887 8888
Nearest tube station: Southwark/ Mansion House Website: http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern
Brunswick Centre, Russell Square
Designed by Patrick Hodgkinson, Brunswick centre is one of those grade II-listed residential and shopping centres in London that has also been seen in many TV shows and films. The song by 90s indie supergoup Lodger had its mention in it. The construction of the building started in 1967 and finally got completed in the year 1972.
By 2000, a lot of its shop premises remained unoccupied but its demand skyrocketed after the year 2002, when its renovation plans started hitting the floors in reality. Striking towers seem to hug the sky; its structure is designed with sky blue and cream colour scheme making the entire development a world-class architecture.
Address: 57, The Brunswick Shopping Centre, London WC1N 1BS, United Kingdom Phone: +44 20 7833 6066
Nearest tube station: Russell Square Station Website: http://www.brunswick.co.uk/
Trellick Tower, Westbourne Park
Designed by Erno Goldfinger, Trellick tower is certainly one of the most loved architectural buildings in west London. Trellick tower has been featured exclusively in music promos, television, films and so on. It has also been seen appearing on t-shirts, mugs and bookends. The view from the Meanwhile gardens will make you see the tower in its complete glory and elegance.
Trellick tower actually epitomised the post-war social housing schemes that were poorly maintained in Britain. Funded by government, Trellick Tower has become one of the best Brutalist icons in London. This tourist attraction in the city gains exposure from local as well as the wider community of the city. In a nutshell, architectural heritage from the Brutalist era is worth every penny spent!
Address: Trellick Tower, London W10, UK
Nearest tube station: Westbourne Park
Centre Point, Tottenham Court Road
This grade II listed London landmark is often overlooked by visitors who are keen on exploring the best from London’s architectural scene. Completed in the year 1966 and beautifully designed by Richard Seifert, it has gentle v-shaped window mullions that add much to this global point of interest.
On the top floor, you get to visit a swish restaurant from where you can enjoy really stunning views of the city. Free viewing gallery also available to make your visit complete and perfectly enriched.
Address: Centre Point, Soho, London, UK
Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court road station
Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park
The graceful and superb geometry of this building was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun who was actually never known as a perfect Brutalist. His architecture was rather an epitome of its softer version. The neoclassical terrace of John Nash, the Royal college of Physicians is certainly a building belonging entirely to its time and of course elegant to the core. This college is a much convenient and attractive location set in the heart of London. They also have interesting museum collections from the history of college and London itself. A rare heritage collection reflecting a 500 years of history, it is unfortunately still a lesser-known treasure of the capital. This grade-I listed modernist building boasts of an interesting portfolio of dining rooms, auditoria and conference suites. Medicinal garden of the royal college which is also seen as a wealth of medicinal flowers and herbs hosts entertaining events and summer barbecues.
Address: 11 St Andrews Pl, London NW1 4LE, United Kingdom Phone: +44 20 3075 1649
Nearest tube station: Regents Park/ Great Portland Street Website: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/
The National Theatre / Southbank Centre – Waterloo
Often compared to some overgrown car park and nuclear reactor it is Britain’s foremost example of Brutalist construction. It has a complex but interesting structure with lots of amazing things to see and do here. The visitors can track a good variety of finishes and imprints that is visible on having a close look at its texture. The National theatre or the Southbank theatre has a reputation for showcasing a few top-notch and award winning shows, producing over 20 new shows every year in genres like comedies, classics and musicals. Simultaneously recommended is the London famous Skylon restaurant that sits on the first floor of the great royal festival hall that offers stunning views of river Thames and hence it is highly advisable for anyone making a visit to this location. Following a major upgrade in facilities and features in the year 2014, now here you also find wonderful shops of books and gifts along with lot of other places to drink and eat. Enjoy free exhibitions and explore the location with interesting backstage tours and platforms at The National Theatre – arguably the greatest theatre in the world.
Address: National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX Phone: +44 (0)20 7452 3000
Nearest tube station: Embankment/ Waterloo/ Southwark Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/
Ministry of Justice – St James’s Park
When viewed from the southern area of the park, you get superb views of this truly colossal building. With a particularly impressive aspect to go with it, this building should be seen as one of the most unmistakably massive period brutalist.
Believed to have been partially inspired by the medieval Italian fortresses (by Alexander Clement in his book ‘Brutalism: Post-war British Architecture), it is certainly one of the most wonderful buildings to see in London.
Address: 102 Petty France, Greater London, SW1H 9AJ, United Kingdom Phone: +44 20 3334 3555
Nearest tube station: St James’s Park Website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/
Metro Central Heights/ Alexander Fleming House, Elephant and Castle
Metro central heights is the residential apartment complex overlooking the elephant and the castle in south London area and was designated as Grade II listed building in 2013. Elephant and castle was bombed heavily during the World War II. Its construction includes a series of some interconnected tower blocks surrounding a central courtyard. Alexander Fleming house should be seen as an architectural achievement of Elephant and castle, as it was designed as a part of Elephant and castle’s redevelopment. It has a flexible design that has been successfully attracting visitors and is carefully adapted to 400 flats. Serving special architectural or historic interest and designed by the Hungarian architect Erno Goldfinge, this is among the “post war buildings” in London that received great appreciation when it was completed in 1963. It has also gained civic trust award for its smart design in 1964. In the process of being declared a residential complex known as metro central heights, they also painted and gave its concrete facade a creamy coloured appearance.
Address: Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6TB, UK
Nearest tube station: Elephant & Castle Station
The Hilton Park Lane
Counted as the first ever American hotel chain to have opened in the UK, London Hilton located on the Park Lane has reshaped and redefined the hospitality industry in Britain. It has been mentioned among one of the most iconic buildings in the city, and is built across 80,000 square feet. 528 guest rooms and 328 feet tall, this gigantic and remarkable has achieved recognition as the first building in the city hugging the skyline and built taller than the world famous London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. Opened in 1963, it was believed to be one of the largest post-war hotels standing in Europe. It has been continuously playing host to some of the most high profile and star-studded events (Mohammad Ali’s birthday and Princess Diana’s official announcements). Its guest lists includes big names like The Beatles, Charlie Chaplin, Margaret Thatcher, Dalai Lama, Tina Turner, Keith Richards, etc.
Address: 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE, United Kingdom Phone: +44 20 7493 8000
Nearest tube station: Green Park/Hyde Park Corner
Website: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/london-hilton-on-park-lane-LONHITW/index.html?WT.mc_id=zELWAKN0EMEA1HI2DMH3LocalSearch4DGGenericx6LONHITW
The 60s architecture showcases the smart work of the designers and city planners attempting to renovate London city’s landscape right after the damage done by bombs to many streets and landmarks during the second world war. Latest new materials, technologies and ideas were put into use. Peel off the layers of history and explore the Brutalist culture of London through its historical high-rise buildings from the 60s architectural scene of the city.
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