Avant-garde movement in modern architecture. Grew from the works of Le Corbusier. The name was coined by Peter and Alison Smithson in 1954 ("New Brutalism") and it gained popularity during the 1960s.
Characterized by a preference for strong contrasts and the principles of functionalism. Brutalist architects willingly avoids polish, decoration and elegance in their buildings. Criticized as insensitive on the environment, and due to this its popularity declined in the 1970s.
Important architects include:
Louis Kahn later had sucess using brutalist elements in his works.