They what?

[lederhosen]

Had the welcome-and-introduction at new work this afternoon; the real thing starts at 9am tomorrow. Probably more on that anon, but during the tour I asked something about the surrounding buildings and our guide mentioned that they are now protected by heritage listing as a 'classical example of Brutalist architecture.' Er, WTF?

As anybody who's lived in Canberra knows (although they might not have encountered the name), Brutalist is one of the ugliest styles imaginable. The basic idea is "big, blocky, unpainted grey concrete and LOTS OF IT". (Here's a flattering photo of the High Court with a lot of sunlight on it; in the flesh it looks far, far drabber.) But my personal tastes aside, the idea that Brutalism needs preservation is ludicrous. Half the public buildings in Canberra were built back when it was the trendy new thing; High Court, Art Gallery, School of Music, and a crapload of government offices are all built that way, eyesores in what's otherwise a very pretty city IMHO.

In fact, my workplace-to-be is one of the few buildings in that area that aren't Brutalist (thank goodness!)

Comments

[chaos-crafter.livejournal.com]

While I'd not want to preserve vast stretches of it, an uncle involved in historic building classification pointed out, I think quite correctly, that some of the better examples of each era's techniques should be preserved, if for no better reason than as a warning to other (or a warning against trusting architects)

[tyggerjai.livejournal.com]

We-ell.

I personally think there's some lovely Brutalist stuff. Incredibly powerful, done right.

It's just that none of it's in Canberra. The Brutalism in Canberra is second-rate, uninspired, not even a good copy.

Habitat 67 in Montreal has its moments, but I'd be all for preserving this baby in its own right. Or this.

But yeah. The Canberra stuff is just bad. Though the School of Music isn't a complete writeoff.

I think, for me, the aesthetic is actually far more appealing than the reality - having grown up around it, it's cold, wet and smelly. Which may also be coloring lederhosen's views, perhaps.

jai.
.

[(Anonymous)]

Though the School of Music isn't a complete writeoff.

Its roof, OTOH... I'd have thought that something with that much concrete in it could've survived a hailstorm better than the buildings around it, but apparently the blocky-ness didn't extend to the bits that mattered.

I'm not sure I really like those two photos - I'd have to see the buildings for myself to judge - but they're certainly a sight better than Canberra's. Some evidence there of creative thought beyond "let's use a crapload of cement and no paint".

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

And yes, cold, wet, smelly, and also gets visibly dirty very quickly, especially in high-traffic areas.

[panacea1.livejournal.com]

I'm all for keeping that sort of crap around as a warning never to do it again.

(the big concrete boxes, we hates them, they are ugly... fortunately most of "here" was built long before that became fashionable, so I don't have to look at it much.)

[wingedkami.livejournal.com]

We have some brutalist stuff in the UK. There is much argument as to whether these buildings are an important part of history that needs to be preserved or hideous eyesores that should be replaced by something - anything - else.

I'm with the eyesore camp myself. Sometimes when you're trying new things that have never been done before, it's important to remember that there's a reason why some things have never been done before.

I suppose we could keep one or two. So long as they aren't anywhere near me.

I have no taste

[saluqi.livejournal.com]

I quote like all the stuff in the Parliamentary triangle but I have never claimed to have good taste. It was one of the things I enjoyed about working there. For a while when I was at Treasury I had a desk that looked out onto the Treasury fountain. I still think that is the coolest fountain in Canberra, but I know I'm not in the majority with that one either.

[velvetink.livejournal.com]

Many of the buildings at Newcastle uni are even more ugly.