protoBrutalist

ProtoBrutalist is a term used in architectural discourse to describe a set of late-1940s to early-1950s works and tendencies that presage the later Brutalist movement. The label is not universally standardized; it appears in scholarly articles and catalogues as a way to highlight transitional aesthetics and material strategies that prefigure Brutalism.

Origins and context are tied to postwar reconstruction and the evolving language of modern architecture. ProtoBrutalism overlaps with early modernist currents and with the growing interest in the expressive potential of raw materials, particularly concrete, while often emphasizing functional massing over ornament. The concept also engages with the notion of material honesty and structural clarity that would later become central to Brutalism.

Typical features attributed to protoBrutalist work include the use of exposed or minimally finished concrete, blocky or monumental volumes, modular planning, and a preference for austere, non decorative surfaces. Proponents stress a tension between industrial production methods and architectural form, with an emphasis on durability, scale, and social function.

In discourse, protoBrutalism is sometimes presented as a historical precursor or transitional phase, but its utility is debated. Some scholars consider it a useful label for understanding the antecedents of Brutalism, while others view it as a misleading umbrella that risks conflating distinct movements. Regardless, the concept helps situate Brutalism within a broader lineage of postwar modern architecture.

See also: Brutalism, béton brut, Le Corbusier.