Italian brutalism

[edit] Introduction

Italian brutalism is an architectural style that emerged in the 1950s. In contrast to Italian Modernism, with its lines that inspired dynamic visions of movement, Italian brutalist architecture is solid and blocky.

[edit] Defining characteristics

Italian brutalism uses concrete as one of its primary building materials. However, due to the Italian climate, some structures built in this style tend to look cleaner than their counterparts around the world.

One of the most common characteristics of Italian brutalist architecture is its ability to capture attention - whether it elicits a response of approval or disapproval. With dramatic angles and eye catching features, these structures are designed to stand apart from the surrounding environment rather than blend into it or enhance it.

Brutalism became a popular style throughout the 1960s as the austerity of the 1950s gave way to dynamism and self-confidence. It was commonly used for government projects, universities, car parks, leisure and shopping centres and high-rise blocks of flats.

[edit] Examples of Italian brutalism

• 1950: Pavilion for the flower and vegetable market, Pescia (Architect: Leonardo Savioli)
• 1957: Istituto Marchiondi, Milan (Architect: Vittoriano Viganò)
• 1958: Torre Velasca, Milan - protected as a historic structure in 2011 (Architect: BBPR)
• 1960-63: San Giovanni Battista, Campi Bisenzio (Plans by Giovanni Michelucci).
• 1963-65: Temple of Monte Grisa, Trieste (Architect: Antonio Guacci)
• 1968: Brion Cemetery, Venice (Architect: Carlo Scarpa).
• 1968: San Giovanni Bono Church, Milan (Architect: Arrigo Arrighetti)
• 1969-71: Galileo Galilei high school, Trieste
• 1969-82: il Quadrilatero residential housing complex, Trieste
• 1960s: Casa Sperimentale, Fregene (Architect: Giuseppe Perugini)
• 1968-80: Casa del Portuale, Naples (Architect: Aldo Loris Rossi)
• 1975: Le Vele di Scampia, Naples (Architect: Franz Di Salvo)
• 2010: Palace of culture of Messina, Messina (Engineers: Aldo D'Amore and Fabio Basile)

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Architectural styles.
• Brutalism.
• Concrete.
• Deconstructivism.
• Heroic architecture.
• High-tech architecture.
• Italian rationalism.
• Modernism.
• Space, Hope and Brutalism.
• Spanish brutalism.