Brutalism, a minimalist architectural style named after béton brut (French for “raw concrete”), can evoke strong reactions from people. In Washington, where this style is prevalent, it is often widely disliked. According to a 2023 analysis by the British company Buildworld, the FBI headquarters is considered the ugliest building in the country and the second ugliest in the world.
However, not everyone shares this sentiment. The National Building Museum is currently hosting an exhibition called “Capital Brutalism” that explores the love-hate relationship Washington has with this architectural style. Some individuals genuinely appreciate brutalist buildings, as highlighted in a 2021 Washington Post article titled “Brutalist buildings aren’t unlovable. You’re looking at them wrong.”
Despite the polarizing opinions, the museum has gathered proposals from six architecture firms to reimagine six of the city’s most divisive buildings. These structures are over 50 years old, falling out of favor with modern tastes and technologies, and showing signs of aging. With office vacancies on the rise since the pandemic, parts of federal Washington have become deserted. However, demolishing and rebuilding these structures would generate carbon emissions.
The exhibition emphasizes that the most sustainable building is one that already exists. Instead of tearing down these buildings, the show proposes a refresh rather than a demolition.
In addition to the proposals, “Capital Brutalism” showcases beautiful architectural portraits of brutalist buildings by Ty Cole. It offers an intriguing and sometimes humorous look at the past, present, and potential future of brutalism in Washington.
The exhibition features several iconic buildings, including the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, James V. Forrestal Building, Joseph Mark Lauinger Library, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, and more. Each building has its unique design challenges and proposed solutions for renovation or repurposing.
If you are interested in exploring the world of brutalist architecture, you can visit the National Building Museum located at 401 F St. NW. Admission fees are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, students, and children, and free for museum members and children under 3.