Explore British brutalism through the lens of Simon Phipps

Photographed here, the University of East Anglia in Norwich (1962–68) by Denys Lasdun.

A new title by fine art photographer Simon Phipps and Park Books looks into Britain’s post-war Brutalist architectural legacy. Photographed here, the University of East Anglia in Norwich (1962–68) by Denys Lasdun. Photography: Simon Phipps, Courtesy Museum im Bellpark

(Image credit: Simon Phipps/Courtesy Museum im Bellpark)

By Ellie Stathaki

last updated 26 August 2022

Our admiration for all things concrete is part of our DNA, so when we found out about fine art photographer Simon Phipps’ new book on brutalist architecture, we were rubbing our hands together in glee; and when the book reached our offices, it did not disappoint.

Filled with Phipps’ distinctive photographic compositions, this is a richly produced tome. The photographer spent more than 20 years, documenting brutalist architecture in Britain, creating a hefty archive of about 125 buildings. The book features some 200 takes of those, making for an impressive collection to reference and savour.

Yet if you think that this is all about aesthetics, think again. Phipps, in effect, follows through his lens the rebuilding of Britain after World War II. His numerous photographs of Brutalist masterpieces not only appeal to the eye and refined tastes, but also ‘recognises the architects’ enormous contribution to the transformation of the political and social landscape of the country’ in the aftermath of the war, explain the publishers.

Travelling north and south, east and west, the book includes Phipps’ imagery on dramatic structures, such as the Barbican Estate in London (1965-1976), by architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon; Trinity Square Car Park in Gateshead (1962-1967), by Rodney Gordon for the Owen Luder Partnership; the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool, by Frederick Gibberd (1962-67); and the Queen Margaret Union at the University of Glasgow, by Walter Underwood & Partners (1968).

Phipps’ Finding Brutalism photographic survey, which was also presented in a namesake exhibition at the Museum in Bellpark, Kriens, Switzerland earlier this autumn, is now available from Park Books.

The National Theatre at South Bank, London (1967-76) by Denys Lasdun. — The front cover of *Finding Brutalism* published by Park Books

Aintree Estate (1962-1967) by LCC Architects’ Department. *Photography: Simon Phipps, Courtesy Museum im Bellpark*

Earlstoke Estate in London (1972–1976) by Renton Howard Wood Levin Partnership for GLC. *Photography: Simon Phipps, Courtesy Museum im Bellpark*

The Chapel at Churchill College in Cambridge (1967) by architects Sheppard Robson. *Photography: Simon Phipps, Courtesy Museum im Bellpark*

Balfron Tower on the Brownfield Estate in London (1965-1967) by Ernő Goldfinger. *Photography: Simon Phipps, Courtesy Museum im Bellpark*

The University of East Anglia in Norwich (1962–68) by Denys Lasdun (lef) and the Apollo Pavillion in Peterlee (1969) by Victor Pasmore (right). *Photography: Simon Phipps, Courtesy Museum im Bellpark*

INFORMATION

Finding Brutalism: A Photographic Survey of Post-War British Architecture, €38, published by Park Books

TOPICS

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture Editor at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018) and Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020).