ty cole documents the allure and aggressiveness of brutalist buildings

brutalism defines an architectural movement described by an overall ruggedness and lack of concern to look comfortable, with exposed concrete construction and heavy, monotlithic building blocks. throughout the 1950s to the mid-1970s, masters like le corbusier and marcel breuer laid the groundwork for the then emerging style, which would become popular with governmental institutions and university buildings for its clear communication of strength and functionality. now, structures like breuer’s ‘pirelli building’ in new haven, connecticut and the orange county government center by american architect paul rudolph are revered for their distinct articulation of modular elements and overall, their rejection of the norm.

new york-based photographer ty cole specializes in capturing the built environment in its surrounding context. his ongoing series of photographs documenting this style of public architecture peers into a movement increasingly under attack, and seeks to take a closer look at both its allure and aggressiveness.

university of illinois / walter netsch – SOM | main image: orange county government center / paul rudolph
all images © ty cole

university of illinois / walter netsch – SOM

pirelli building / marcel breuer

northwestern university library / walter netsch – SOM

northwestern university library / walter netsch – SOM

northwestern university library / walter netsch – SOM

umass dartmouth / paul rudolph

umass dartmouth / paul rudolph

silver towers NYU / im pei

temple street parking garage / paul rudolph

temple street parking garage / paul rudolph

yale school of engineering & applied science / marcel breuer

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