Bold, distinctive, and often divisive, Brutalist architecture has become a familiar part of the UK’s cityscapes. It began to take shape in the post-war years, with an early milestone in 1954: Hunstanton Secondary School in Norfolk by Peter and Alison Smithson, a design that helped introduce a new, stripped-back approach focused on honesty and practicality.
Built with raw materials and a strong sense of purpose, these buildings were created to serve everyday life in a changing society. This collection brings together The best examples of Brutalist Britain, offering a chance to see Brutalism in a new light—full of character, texture, and unexpected beauty.
England
Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool
Designed by Frederick Gibberd and Partners in 1967
Ziggurats, UEA, Norwich
Designed by Denys Lasdun and Partners in 1968
Our Lady Help of Christians, Birmingham
Designed by Giles Scott, Son and Partner in 1967
Apollo Pavilion, Peterlee new town, County Durham
Designed by Victor Pasmore in 1969
Clifton Cathedral, Bristol
Designed by Percy Thomas Partnership in 1973
Central Hall, University of York
Designed by John Speight in 1968
Roger Stevens Building, Leeds University
Designed by Chamberlin, Powell & Bon in 1970
Leeds University Campus
Designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in 1978
London
Trellick Tower, London
Designed by Ernő Goldfinger in 1972
Balfron Tower, London
Designed by Ernő Goldfinger in 1967
National Theatre, London
Designed by Lasdun, Softley and Partners in 1976
IOE, UCL
Designed by Sir Denys Lasdun in 1975
Barbican, London
Designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in 1982
Brunswick Centre
Designed by Patrick Hodgkinson in 1972
Alexandra Road Estate
Designed by Neave Brown in 1978
Brunel University Lecture Centre
Designed by Sheppard Robson in 1967
Scotland
Dollan Aqua Centre, East Kilbride
Designed by Alexander Buchanan Campbell in 1968
McCance Building, Glasgow
Designed by Covell, Matthews & Partners in 1964
Bernat Klein Studio, High Sunderland
Designed by Peter Womersley in 1972
Nuffield Transplantation Surgery Unit, Edinburgh
Designed by Peter Womersley in 1968
Medical Sciences Institute, Dundee
Designed by Mackie Ramsay & Taylor in 1970
HQ of General Accident, Perth
Designed by James Parr & Partners in 1988
Gordon Aikman lecture theatre (previously George Square theatre), Edinburgh
Designed by Robert Matthew in 1970
Gala Fairydean Stadium
Designed by Peter Womersley in 1964
Barking station booking hall
Designed by in 1961 by Eastern Region of the British Railways Company
Woodside, Glasgow
Designed by Boswell, Mitchell & Johnston in 1974
Wolfson Centre, Glasgow
Designed by Morris Steedman Architects in 1972
Kildrum Parish Church, Cumbernauld
Designed by Alan Reiach and Stuart Renton in 1962
Thomas C Keay Ltd (former offices), Dundee
Designed by Ronald Cuddon with Tandy, Halford and Mills in 1970
Kentigern House, Glasgow
Designed by the Property Services Agency (PSA) in 1986
Boiler House, Dingleton Hospital, Melrose 1977
Designed by Peter Womersley in 1977
Wales
Flintshire County Hall, Mold
Designed by Robert Harvey in 1967
Bell Tower (La Campanile), Aberystwyth University
Designed by Percy Thomas Partnership in1970
Brambell Building, Bangor University
Designed by Percy Thomas Partnership in 1971
Nuclear Power Station, Trawsfynydd
Designed by Basil Spence & Partners in 1965
Northern Ireland
Fanum House, Belfast
Designed by Ian Campbell in 1965
Linen hall engineering workshops, Dublin
Designed by Byrne, Whelan and Associates in 1964
Belfast City Hospital
Designed by James Ashe of Freelance in 1986
Marlborough House, Craigavon
Designed by Craigavon Development Commission architects in 1977
Portadown Technical College
Designed by Shanks Leighton Kennedy Fitzgerald in 1976
Do you know any more?
Let me know if I’ve missed any brutalist builds that you love down below!
