Brutalist Institutions in transition

Embarking on a thesis exploring the transition of Brutalist university institutions in the Netherlands is a compelling endeavor driven by the intersection of architectural evolution, academic environments, and societal transformations. Brutalism, with its robust aesthetics and functionalist principles, has left an indelible mark on university...

From concrete to bamboo: A research on the reflection of Pakistan’s political and social circumstances in Yasmeen Lari’s architecture throughout her career.

This research gives an answer to the question question ‘How is the switch in architectural language of Yasmeen Lari connected to the social and political context in Pakistan throughout her career?’. It explores three key themes: feminism, nationalism, and economic inequality. Lari's architectural humanitarian works, aimed at empowering women in...

Governed from a parking lot: The distinctive architectural qualities of the former Ministry of Foreign Affairs and temporary House of Representatives

The focal point of this thesis lies within the state building situated on Bezuidenhoutseweg in The Hague. Having been inaugurated in 1985, the edifice functioned as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approximately 35 years and, from 2021 onwards, as a temporary accommodation for the Dutch Parliament. This thesis, therefore, evaluates the...

The Brutalist Revaluation: A research on the reception of the Dutch béton brut

Brutalism has once again become hot and booming. What has reignited the flame of this controversial building style for it to suddenly appear abundantly in pop-culture? Social media, films, perfume, or even Brutalist web design are just a few of the examples that Brutalism is not confined to architectural publications, the Dutch climate being no...

Adapting brutalist buildings: A historical research how brutalist buildings evolved after their completion

Brutalist buildings have, until recently, been loved by few. As a result, many Brutalist buildings have fallen into disrepair, and some have even been demolished. Nowadays, many suggestions are made about how these brutalist buildings can be restored and future-proofed. This research looks at Brutalist buildings that have been transformed since...

Versions of brutalism: A comparison of Marcel Breuer’s St. John’s Abbey and Van Den Broek & Bakema’s Auditorium

During the post-war period in the 1950s, brutalist architecture originated in Great-Britain as a reaction to previous architectural movements. It derived from an architectural style of building with exposed concrete called ‘béton brut’. It later became more popular when a new generation of modernist architects started using this exposed concrete...

Casting Concrete: The Evolution in Perception of Brutalist Architecture as Guided by Depictions of Physical and Fictional Examples in Popular Culture

This thesis investigates the evolution in the perception of Brutalist architecture based on depictions of physical and fictional examples in popular cinema. Looking into how societal and aesthetical factors resulted in brutalist architecture, an egalitarian and utopian movement at its inception, taking on the stereotypical role of the dystopian...

Two Brutalist University buildings: A comparison between The Aula of The TU Delft and the Roger Stevens Building

The thesis consists of a comparison between The Aula of The TU Delft designed by Van den Broek en Bakema and The Roger Stevens building in Leeds designed by Chamberlin, Powell, and Bon. This is done to add literature specifically about Brutalist university Buildings. The main conclusion is that although the Brutalist design principles are the...