Brutalism is an architectural style that originated in the 1950s and became popular in the 1960s. Its name comes from the French "béton brut," which means "raw concrete," as this material is one of the most characteristic elements of the style. Its main features are the apparent use of concrete, offering visuals where natural texture and tonality are the protagonists of the buildings. Brutalist buildings often have an austere and massive aesthetic, with simple and repetitive geometric shapes. The use of industrial materials and innovative construction techniques is also common in brutalism.
This architectural style has been used in a wide range of constructions, from houses and public buildings to stadiums and shopping centers. In Mexico, this style was very popular during the 1960s and 1970s, because concrete was considered a modern and economical material. Among the most well-known examples of brutalist architecture in Mexico is Agustín Hernández's Casa en el Aire. Although this style lost popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, today we are witnessing a significant boom where some principles of this style are being adapted in different contexts.
Today, we want to introduce you to some examples located in Mexico, which speak of a reinvention not only of the style itself but of the unique identity of contemporary Mexican architecture. Keep reading to discover the full list.
Villa Cava / Espacio 18 Arquitectura
Casa nu / Chris Luce
Merida House / Ludwig Godefroy Architecture
Alférez House / Ludwig Godefroy Architecture
House TO / Ludwig Godefroy Architecture
Zicatela House / Ludwig Godefroy Architecture
Capilla del Atardecer / BNKR Arquitectura
GG House / g3arquitectos
Las Cruces Lookout Point / ELEMENTAL
Oyamel House / RP Arquitectos
Casa Río / graciastudio
House AT / HRBT
CAP House / Estudio MMX
DeLunna House / REIMS 502
Foro Boca / Rojkind Arquitectos
Casa Puebla / rdlp arquitectos
Briones House / RP Arquitectos
Would you like to publish your work, submit an article, or send comments? Contact us through our form here. If you want to explore our entire library of over 300,000 architectural images and find the references you need, we invite you to explore ArchDaily's new Image Search. Filter by image type, drawings, project category, building elements, materials, and much more.