Brutalist architecture is a controversial movement that originated in Britain shortly after World War II, bringing rise to expressive structures made of raw materials with an uncompromisingly rugged aesthetic. Throughout the country, preeminent architects erected large residential complexes, primarily in concrete, some of which featured unconventional play designs.
Playful brutalism at Vitra
At the Vitra Design Museum, Assemble and Simon Terrill recreate Brutalist playgrounds as hybrid architectural installations and sculptures for adults and children.
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- 09 January 2017
- Weil am Rhein
For this exhibition the architectural collective Assemble (winner of the 2015 Turner Prize) and artist Simon Terrill have used archival material from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to recreate now demolished “Brutalist” playgrounds in hybrid architectural installations and walk-through sculptures for adults and children.
The interactive presentation of “The Brutalist Playground” allows visitors to explore the original spatial concepts of this architectural style. In the exhibition, children can let their imaginations run wild, as architects once advocated, and adults are likewise invited to immerse themselves in the surrealistic playscapes of the post-war era and experience a new, unmitigated view of Brutalist architecture.
14 January – 16 April 2017
The Brutalist Playground
Vitra Design Museum Gallery
Charles-Eames-Str. 2, Weil am Rhein