Brutalist Buildings in Madrid Spain

I had a solo trip to Spain during last year's winter break. It was my first solo trip to Europe, and I didn't know what to do when I was in Madrid, so I decided to visit some Brutalist buildings there.

The brutalist architecture emerged during the 1950s as a part of the reconstruction of the post-war era. The use of raw concrete and modern design concepts provides a fast and convenient way to solve the accommodation issue after war. I always have a strange passion for brutalist architecture. Some say the raw concrete plain buildings without any extra decorations make ppl feel depressed, however, in my pov the use of exposed concrete in Brutalist architecture brings out the rawness of the material, helping me connect more intimately with the architect’s most fundamental emotional expression. 

Moreover, this architectural style also embodies the architects' hope for the future in the aftermath of war. And when residents lived in these buildings, their material conditions might still be difficult due to the lingering effects of the war. Yet, the hope brought by the end of the war remained indelible. I am aware that those of us born in times of peace are privileged, but the collective yearning for progress and development in the postwar era defined the spirit of that time—an era marked by the emergence of new ideologies and advances in science, aesthetics, and the humanities. People were like fish swimming upstream, pushed forward by the current of their time, striving to make progress despite the turbulence. In contrast, our present society continues to flow with the same current of history, yet we seem stagnant--complacent in our peace and content with our status quo, therefore unsure of what we are meant to do. That is the root of my nostalgia. When I see Brutalist architecture, or the postwar residential blocks in my hometown, I can feel the quiet yet powerful hope of those who once lived there. 

The Edificio Princesa buildings are designed as residential housing for the military after the war, featuring deep balconies with thriving plants growing out of them, creating vertical gardens. A similar concept of combining plants and the concrete work is also shown in the Alexandra Road Estate and the Whittington Estate, located in Camden, London. The latter was also designed as accommodation for post-war reconstruction. The residents thought the unfinished reinforced concrete was giving a depressing vibe, therefore introduced many plants to their concrete balconies. It beautifully captures the life-affirming spirit with which people rekindled their hopes for a brighter future in the post-war era. 

Oiza's Torres Blancas building is located at Chamartin, the bold use of curves creates a unique style of its own. The shape of the tower is designed to resemble a tree, with the curved balconies stacked together symbolising the branches and leaves. (I was so excited to see the building and was impressed by the idea, then i showed the picture of this building to my friend studying architect, and she responded as "the ugliest building she's ever seen", as she really hates curved designs T.T)

The Brutalism in Spain not only includes the residential buildings, but also religious buildings. The church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Filipinas, designed by Cecilio Sanchez-Robles Tarín, is a great example. The most amazing part for me is the interior of the church, the natural light will spill in and shine on the cross through the slit above, creating a holy, pure and powerful atmosphere even for me, who is non-religious.

My friend told me the Church of the Light, designed by Tadao Ando, located in Ibaraki, Osaka, used a similar concept of using concrete and the use of natural light--two slits on the wall vertical to each other to create a natural cross of light to the enclosed concrete space inside the building. (I've never been to the church, I hope I can visit someday.)

The blog ends here, tho i'm not a professional architect nor a professional photographer, i hope you enjoy the buildings :3.