The 1960s was a period of fashion, glamour, and everything design. In London, one of the greatest impacts still visible today is in the iconic architecture of buildings such as The Barbican, and the perhaps lesser known, but still stunning Brunswick Centre. Identifiable by the motif of repeated geometric shapes, the Brutalist style, which emerged in the post-war reconstruction period, utilised less aesthetically pleasing materials such as concrete within more minimalist design schemes than previous decorative traditions. All the stops on this little architectural tour of London are accessible by public transport, however walking allows you to truly appreciate the buildings, and all the bits in between!

 

Stop 1 on the list is Trellick Tower in west London (nearest tube station Westbourne Park). Building commenced in 1968 and it was completed in 1972. Made entirely of concrete, Ernö Goldfinger described his vision for the building: “the whole object of building high is to free the ground for children and grown-ups to enjoy Mother Earth and not to cover every inch with bricks and mortar.” While some considered his building an eyesore and it has divided opinion ever since, Goldfinger’s Brutalist design, now a Grade II listed building, is a powerful symbol of home in this part of London.

 

A short Circle Line ride away is The Barbican, a sprawling yet distinctive collection of housing and entertainment spaces designed by architects Geoffry Powell, Christoph Bon and Peter Chamberlin. First planned as early as the 1950s, construction began on the first of its six phases in 1963. Originally meant to be clad in white tiles, the final Brutalist design features extensive concrete panels all worked individually with hammers to expose the coarse granite aggregate.

 

Hannah, an environmental consultant from Welwyn Garden City often visits and says she “always enjoys meeting her friend at the Barbican for events, lunch, or just a coffee as it's such a unique and interesting place. The well laid out architecture and range of facilities create a really welcoming environment to spend an hour or even a whole day.”

 

Back on the Circle Line to King’s Cross and a ten minute walk from the station is the Brunswick Centre, partly shopping centre, partly flats designed by Patrick Hodgkinson in the mid-1960s.  The site features two rows of stepped housing with balcony gardens and an open shopping area beneath. It is a visually striking design that since its Grade II listing in 2000 and undergoing a programme of renovation overseen by the architect himself, has become the heart of the local community.

 

The final stop on this Brutalist tour is the Southbank Centre, a collection of Brutalist buildings, including the Royal Festival Hall, the Hayward Gallery and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The complex was designed and built by a group of architects led by Norman Engleback between 1963 and 1968. Similar to some of the features in Trellick Tower, its impact lies in the unconventional beauty of the linear features of the precast concrete panels used for many of the vertical surfaces. 

 

Finish off your tour by heading to the West End and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants around another Brutalist masterpiece Centrepoint (Tottenham Court Road), the famous central London landmark recently renovated to celebrate its concrete construction. Despite these buildings making up just a small fraction of the amazing 60s architecture in London, they are well worth a visit!