Brutalism might not be anybody's idea of beautiful, but that doesn't mean examples of the architectural style aren't beloved by many. As Brutalism comes of age as historic, preservation battles are heating up—especially in Washington, D.C.
Matt O'Brien reports for the Associated Press about the preservation battles emerging over the architectural style known as brutalism.
All over the country, examples of brutalism are aging to the point where some developers and municipalities are recommending demolition, while reservationists are scrambling to protect and save the buildings. In another example, many of the architecture history-inclined were disturbed by the decision to paint the ceilings at Washington's Union Station a very un-brutal shade of white.
The Union Station episode prompted another article by Amanda Kolson Hurley on the subject of preserving Brutalism. After introducing the topic and the cultural dynamics at work, Kolson Hurley suggests a "middle" way: "Perhaps we can save brutalism by making it more lovable."
Read the full story: Banished Brutalism: Death knells abound for building style
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Controversy erupted last week in Washington, D.C., after D.C. Metro decided to paint Union Station's vaulted ceilings—a famous icon of the District, it's regional transit system, and the architectural style of Brutalism.
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