Brutalist Interior Design: The Strange Allure of Raw and Unpolished Materials

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The name Brutalism does not conjure up images of warmth and hospitality. Instead, it results in cold, soulless concrete structures. However, there is plenty more to Brutalist design than meets the eye. It arose as an architectural movement following World War II to meet the demand for extensive low-cost rebuilding during the difficult times. This movement made a resurgence in architectural and interior design. We will cover everything you need to know about Brutalist interior design, including its history and traits, in this article.

What is Brutalist Interior Design?

Raw materials, unpolished surfaces, and neutral tones define Brutalist design. In interior design, brutalism stresses structural, spatial depth generated by furniture, wall coverings, decorative objects, and overall architectural design. In addition to rough concrete, industrial elements such as brick, wood, glass, steel, and brass are used in brutalist design.

In terms of shapes and forms, brutalist design typically falls into one of two categories: organic or exceedingly minimal. The organic designs have rough and unpolished textures, whilst the minimal shapes are streamlined and designed with purpose in mind.

Origins of Brutalist Interior Design :

Brutalism began as an architectural movement before making its way into interior design. It arose as a method of lowering building expenses by utilizing less ornamentation and less expensive materials. It quickly spread in cities to provide affordable housing for families hit hard by poverty following WWII.

However, the public rejected Brutalist design, particularly in the East, because it was linked with poverty and oppression rather than pragmatism. Brutalist design fell out of popularity in the 1980s. Countless Brutalist structures have been demolished since the style fell out of favor in the 1980s.

Nonetheless, numerous Brutalism specimens persisted to preserve this piece of history. A fresh appreciation for Brutalism has evolved in the last five years. New Brutalist structures with distinct concrete volumes are being constructed. The revival is frequently referred to as "Neo Brutalism."

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Characteristics of Brutalist Interior Design :

1. Concrete in its natural state :

Whether on the exterior or the interior, raw concrete is a mainstay of brutalist design. Because the Brutalist movement began after the war, architects and designers were forced to use low-cost, raw materials. Concrete appeared to be the greatest material choice for meeting their criteria while also adding a certain elegance to the designs.

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2. Sharp Corners :

Another distinguishing feature of Brutalist design is jagged edges that resemble mechanical post-apocalyptic shapes and forms. Lighting fixtures, furniture, and other decor components may have these edges. Brutalist design seeks to include rough edges on little objects rather than major features such as walls or ceilings.

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3. Organic Forms :

The objective of Brutalist design was to create a dark and post-apocalyptic atmosphere in the space. This was accomplished by incorporating unsettling organic and rugged shapes in dark, earthy tones.

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4. Metal :

Metal was another important component of the Brutalist movement. Architects and designers loved the unpolished, burnished aesthetic of metals such as iron, bronze, and steel. Metal was utilized to create geometric decor elements that were welded together in certain designs.

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The key to incorporating Brutalist design into your environment is careful selection, curation, and confidence in your decisions. Choose components that call attention to the more prominent parts.