It is true that Madrid It is not a city where a single architectural style is homogenized. Just crossing from one street to another can bring you an unimaginable variety of constructive buildings, shapes and designs. Madrid stands later than the rest of Spanish cities, when Toledo, Sevilla or Zaragoza were of the utmost importance. Therefore we find a capital that has made itself over time, influences and architects and styles that have dominated the panorama in each era.
Among its diverse architectural trends There is one that stands out by its strength, its forcefulness and its unmistakable presence: brutalism. This architectural movement, born in the mid -twentieth century, continues to generate debate among those who consider it a pure expression of functionality and those who see it as a cold and monolithic aesthetic. If you want to finish understanding this current, here we present seven of the most representative brutalist buildings in Madrid.
The brutalist, Hollywood’s promise that will conquer the Oscars
He Brutalism Not only has I left a mark on architecture, but it has also begun to penetrate popular culture. The movie The brutaliststarring Adrien Brody and directed by Brady Corbet, he has put this architectural style in the center of the conversation. The film follows the life of an immigrant architect who struggles to carry out his vision in a society that often rejects what he does not understand. The film is, therefore, a simile with the imposition of this new style on the society of the twentieth century.
With an enveloping narrative that many have criticized for their almost four hours of footage and an aesthetic that honors the force of overcoming, The brutalist It has been received with great enthusiasm at the Film Festivals and is emerging as one of the great contenders in the next season of the Oscars.
The fascination with brutalism goes beyond its visual impact; It is a current that represents a way of understanding architecture without superfluous ornaments, betting on the strength of concrete and the functionality of spaces. And although it is not always easy to digest, its presence on the big screen reinforces its importance within the world architectural heritage. Let’s see what happens in the Spanish capital.
The 7 most important brutalist buildings in Madrid
To know brutalism in Madrid, there is no better way than touring some of its buildings more emblematic. In his book Brutal MadridAlejandro García Alcántara, through photographs of Luis Carrón, collects some of the most impressive constructions of the capital. Here we present seven of them, ordered chronologically:
1.- White towers (1964-69). Perhaps the most iconic brutalist building in the capital. Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza designed this structure with the idea of emulating a giant tree, where vegetation is integrated with architecture. His organic aesthetics and his resounding presence have made him a masterpiece.
2.- Old Embassy of the United Kingdom (1966). This building, the work of the British WS Bryant in collaboration with Luis Blanco-Soler, mimics the structure of a bullring and hosted the British embassy. Its sober design and its relationship with urban space are made by a key piece of Madrid brutalism.
3.- Casa Carvajal (1969). Designed by Javier Carvajal, this single -family house has been recognized as a good of cultural interest (BIC). Its integration with the environment and its use of concrete have made it a reference throughout Spain. It has served as the scenario of movies, musical videos and exhibitions.
4.- Valencia Tower (1970-73). Also work of Javier Carvajal, one of the best brutalists in our country, this building generated controversy since its construction, since it modified the iconic view of the Alcalá Puerta from the Plaza de Cibeles. Its vertical structure and its impact on the Madrid Skyline make it one of the most discussed examples of brutalism in the capital.
5.- Galaxy architectural set (1973). This set of homes by Antonio Lamela sought to integrate green spaces, shops and residential areas harmoniously. An example of how brutalism was not only applied to office or institutional buildings, but also to large residential projects.
6.- Pyramid building (1974-79). Designed by Antonio Lamela, this building stands out for its unique geometric shape and its imposing structure. Originally he housed the offices of the Bank of Valencia and is an excellent example of how brutalism can play with symmetry and mass.
7.- Building Los Cubos (1976-81). Designed by Michel Andrault, Pierre Parath, Aydin Guvan and Alain Capie under the supervision of Spanish Luis de la Rica, this building is one of the most recognizable structures of the M-30. Its modular design and its inspiration in the Japanese metabolist movement are reference.
The architecture that makes us
Brutalism is a current that leaves no one indifferent. Its buildings, from robust and monumental appearanceThey are witnesses of an era in which functionality and solidity prevailed over Rococó ornamentation or aesthetics of the right. In fact, if in any case the brutalism stands out is in the aesthetics of the ugly, the non-buried, the naked.
Turning these seven buildings is a way of better understanding how brutalism has left its mark in the capital. And, later, a perfect moment to enjoy the performance on the big screen of Adrien Brody.
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