Brutalist Architecture Wonders: 15 Buildings Inspiring The Oscar-Nominated Epic

Updated January 24, 2025 at 3:10 p.m.*

PARIS — Brutalist architecture, or brutalism, is an architectural style that emerged in the 1950s, when major post-War reconstruction projects were launched.

Long having divided architecture buffs, the movement is reaching a wider public now thanks Brady Corbet's The Brutalist, a three-and-a-half hour epic about a Hungarian architect played by Adrien Brody. It was crowned best film in the drama category at the Golden Globes and has now become an Oscar favorite after it garnered 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Aesthetically, brutalist buildings are characterized by a dominant use of exposed concrete, geometric shapes and the lack of decorative elements. Often monumental, brutalist constructions are designed to be functional first, with a community-centric approach.

Criticized for being too austere and cold, the movement began to decline in the 1970s, but new building continued being built around the globe according to its principles.

Geisel Library of the University of California, San Diego, U.S.A.

This building was designed by William Pereira and opened in 1970 as the Central Library. In April 2013, it was named after Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel. Its tower rises 8 stories to a height of 110 ft (33.5 m).

Trellick Tower, London, U.K.

In some European countries, brutalism and its philosophy inspired the construction of utilitarian, low-cost housing influenced by socialist principles. The Trellick Tower was designed by architect Ernő Goldfinger, commissioned by the Greater London Council, opening in 1972.

Torre Velasca, Milan, Italy

The Velasca Tower was built in 1950 by the BBPR architectural partnership. The tower is part of the first generation of Italian modern architecture. It measures 75 metres (246 ft) in height to the roof with an additional 23-metre-tall (75 ft) antenna spire (total 98 m or 322 ft).

Druzhba sanatorium, Yalta, Ukraine

Designed by Russian architect Igor Vasilevsky, the "sanatorium of Friendship" was a joint Czech and USSR project which began in 1978. It was completed in 1985. overlooks the Black Sea in Yalta, Ukraine. It has now become a spa, attracting locals, tourists and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Habitat 67, Montreal, Canada

Also called simply Habitat, this housing complex has been designed by Israeli-Canadian-American architect Moshe Safdie. It is located at Cité du Havre, on the Saint Lawrence River, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It started as a thesis project for his master at the School of Architecture at McGill University. A fully amended version was then built for Expo 67, a World's Fair held from April to October 1967.

Torres Blancas, Madrid, Spain

Designed by Spanish architect Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza and commissioned by industrialist Juan Huarte, the Torres Blancas was completed in 1969. This residential building is both an architectural icon of the Spanish Organicism movement and of brutalism.

Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Designed while the country was still part of Pakistan by Estonian-born American architect Louis Kahn, the building was commissioned when the country was still par of Pakistan. It was completed in January 1982 and houses the Parliament of Bangladesh.

Buzludzha Monument, Bulgaria

Inaugurated in 1981, the Monument House of the Bulgarian Communist Party, also known as the Buzludzha Monument in reference to the Peak on which it has been built, commemorated the 1891 events and socialist movement which led to the founding of the Bulgarian Social Democratic Party. Designed by architect and former mayor of Sofia Georgi Stoilov it was abandoned after the fall of communism in 1989.

Sirius Building, Sydney, Australia

Designed by Tao Gofers for the Housing Commission of New South Wales in 1978–1979, this housing complex was built to rehouse displaced public tenants after a controversial redevelopment of the Rocks suburb during the 1960s and 1970s. Sirius housed 79 apartments with one, two, three or four bedrooms. After a nation-wide controversy, the New South Wales government announced in 2019 that Sirius had been sold and would be refurbished. Works started in 2022-2023.

Le Viaduc, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France

This housing complex is part of a greater urban composition called Les Arcades du Lac. It was designed by Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill and built in 1981. Described as a "Versailles for the people" the building juts into an artificial lake.

Hôtel du Lac, Tunis, Tunisia

Commissioned by the Tunisian government of Habib Bourguiba and designed by Italian architect Raffaele Contigiani, this spectacular hotel was delivered in 1973. Its unique structure give the impression of an inverted pyramid with cantilevered stairs. Legend has it the building inspired George Lucas for the creation of the sandcrawler vehicle of the Star Wars films. In 2024, a meeting between regional authorities and the Libyan investor concluded to refurbish entirely the building, without impacting its external structure.

Palika Kendra, New Delhi, India

Designed by Kuldip Singh and Mahendra Raj, this 21-story building is one of the rare presence of brutalist architecture in India. Inaugurated in 1984, it houses the headquarters of the New Delhi Municipal Council. With a height of 91 metres (299 ft), it remained one of the tallest buildings in Delhi for years.

Mariano Moreno National Library, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The National Library is the largest library in Argentina. Its location is very symbolic and linked to the May Revolution as it was constructed where the Unzué Palace, the official residence where President Juan Perón and his late wife Evita resided, used to stand before its demolition. Designed by architects Clorindo Testa, Francisco Bullrich, and Alicia Cazzaniga, it was inaugurated 1992, 20 years after the construction began.

Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, U.S.A.

This internationally renowned campus is the fruit of the collaboration between scientist Jonas Salk and architect Louis Kahn. It was design to inspire innovation and great scientific breakthrough for humanity. The works began in 1962 and the Institute completed in 1977. It spreads over 27 acres of coastal bluffs and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Two rectangular buildings mirror each other along a sweeping central courtyard. Each building is six stories tall, with alternating levels of laboratory and utility space. Salk counts 29 separate structures (411,580 square feet in all) seamlessly coming together to form the Institute.

Contraloría General de la Nación, Bogotá, Colombia

Also known as El Edificio Colseguro (current name), this 145 meter high office building was completed in 1974. Designed by the architect cabinet Jhon López and son, it served as the headquarters to the National Comptroller's Office before their office moved to another location. It was then bought and fully renovated by Tech group ASD who uses it as its Worktech center.

*Originally published January 15, 2025, this article was updated January 24, 2025 with updates about The Brutalist's Academy Awards nominations.