STORIES

Explore Heritage, Culture and Community [STORIES] that are related to or inspired by brutalist buildings.

STORIES

Explore latest Heritage, Culture and Community [STORIES]

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What is the cultural connection with Brutalist heritage architecture?

In the 1960s, large housing estates replaced Victorian slums, particularly in poor areas or those affected by war damage, with this bright, bold new architecture featuring spacious open-plan apartments connected by walkways. These walkways, sometimes wide, came to be known as ‘streets in the sky’. They provided spaces where children could play, neighbours could meet and socialize, fostering a sense of community. This communal spirit was the ethos behind many Brutalist estates such as the Whittington Estate. New residents enjoyed bright, clean homes with hot running water and indoor bathrooms—not always present in older Victorian houses.

However, by the 1970s, severe economic recession and neglect by local authorities, owing to lack of funds, led to the deterioration and neglect of these buildings. They lost their charm and sense of newness; the concrete dulled, and few repairs were made. In the eyes of many communities, these unloved buildings mirrored the neglect they felt. In some cases, the buildings were abandoned, left to their fate. They often failed to support the communities living within them, as residents’ voices went unheard and undervalued by authorities.

Brutalist architecture served as a canvas for artists and the creative industry, who viewed these structures as opportunities to craft a narrative, often portraying them in dystopian settings. Films like Blade Runner, Resident Evil: Afterlife, and A Clockwork Orange depicted these buildings as futuristic and ominous backdrops. However, these portrayals did not truly capture the lives of the communities residing in or near these structures. Films like The Kitchen shed light on the personal stories of individuals in extensive estates facing eviction for newer constructions, narrating a more human-centered tale.

The school, along with many other Brutalist buildings, holds the stories of the people who inhabited them. These narratives embody individuals’ creativity when influenced by their living community—it may recount tales of hardship through art, performance, dance, or music. It might share wisdom, knowledge, or memories. MoBA and the Hall for All serve as places where these stories are exchanged, offering a platform for voices to be heard.

MoBA aims to promote live performances within the hall, encouraging individuals to express their views and interpretations using their preferred medium. This act of performance enhances the cultural heritage of the Hall for All, aligning with the original ethos of Brutalist architecture.

INTERACTIVE HERITAGE, CULTURE and COMMUNITY MAP

Use the map below to explore Heritage, Culture and Community [STORIES] that are related to or inspired by brutalist buildings. We collect stories, insights and experiences such as [Multimedia, Audio and Video], [Sketches, Photography and Drawing], [Music, Poetry, Dance and Theatre], [Storytelling and Narration] and any community or personal creative output which has a connection with Brutalist buildings.

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We would be interested to hear your immersive experiences, interpretations and influence of Brutalist architecture on culture and heritage. If you have an addition for MoBA please contact us at hello@museumofbrutalistarchitecture.org

Alternatively submit your story and add one image, by clicking the button below. Please also contact us if you wish to add more information onto the digital museum.

Our AIM is to add as many heritage stories and community voices as possible to MoBA’s interactive MAPS

link to add your story