I've never liked this brutalist style of architecture but it seems to be a staple of corporate medical buildings. All of modern architecture is socialist modern, meaning oppressive.
Archute explains that
Brutalism was a movement in modern architecture starting after WWII. Brutalism was partly inspired by democratic-socialist visions of community, i.e., communism or Bolshevik chic. It is remembered as much for the 'devil-may-care' brashness of its designs as for their communitarian ethos. Unfortunately, the style is still popular among socialist-minded.
Though I like some of the comments made by Ian Mutuli below, he cites the French etymology for the word, Brutalism, as something not really aggressive or oppressive but only beton brut, which translate to rough. He says "The term is derived from the French phrase, béton burt, which means raw or unfinished concrete," adding that it "has nothing to do with the cold, menacing aggressiveness of this architectural design."
Brutalist structures were most widely used for institutional buildings and social housing projects since they were economical and quick to construct. Brutalism peaked in the 1970s, and examples may still be found in Western cities like New York City, London, and Boston.
Some restaurants and modern office buildings will have the plumbing or air ducts in the ceiling exposed as "unfinished" architecture, but that's more interior design than the structural, functional design of the building. Some buildings might have some circular patterns left over from the mason's trowel, showing off his style, a signature to his craft. But most brutalist buildings are government, institutional, or public housing, and U am sorry, Ian, but to the middle-class aestheticand sensibility, these are absolutely oppressive.
Well, this week I saw a green mesh fence go up on the perimeter, and you know what that means: demolition. And it started earlier this week, probably Tuesday, June 12, 2023.
I mean these views don't inspire. In fact, they're more reminiscent of East Germany. But because Keck Medicine (i.e moves in there, we're supposed to feel all sade and effective (i.e., cancer treatment), we're supposed to overlook the brutalism. Ha!
