99% Invisible

The Smell of Concrete After Rain

Apr 29, 2020
Avery Trufelman is a reporter known for her insight into architectural narratives, particularly with Boston City Hall's controversial brutalist design. Alexandra Lange, a design critic at Curbed, discusses the groundbreaking work of Michael Sorkin, who revolutionized architectural criticism by intertwining the built environment with social issues. They explore the ongoing debate around brutalism, the evolving perceptions of concrete, and Sorkin's influential contributions that challenge how we think about architecture and its impact on urban life.
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ANECDOTE

Goldfinger Anecdote

  • Ian Fleming named the Bond villain Goldfinger after architect Erno Goldfinger.
  • Goldfinger designed austere concrete buildings that were publicly despised but praised by architects.
INSIGHT

Brutalist Divide

  • Brutalist architecture, characterized by gigantic, imposing concrete structures, often faces a dichotomy of public dislike and architectural acclaim.
  • This divide highlights the complex relationship between public perception and design aesthetics.
ANECDOTE

Worcester Hall

  • UC Berkeley's Worcester Hall, a brutalist structure housing the architecture school, is often derided by students and parents.
  • This anecdote underscores the widespread negativity surrounding brutalist buildings on campuses.
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