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IN A SPEECH last month, Britain’s transport minister John Hayes called for a wave building to replace brutalist architecture across the nation.
Hayes called the style, which was popular from the 50s to 70s, “aesthetically worthless” and a “cult of ugliness”.
The post-war style is named after the French word “brut”, in reference to the raw concrete that figured boldly in its designs. While it is strictly a movement of architecture, it has taken on more of a catch-all connotation for the functional, concrete-leaning architecture of the 1960s.
Having been popular in the UK, it influenced many of the most important buildings in Dublin.
But, should Dublin wage war on its icons? With plans already underway to modernise the ESB headquarters on Fitzwilliam Street, is time to modernise other buildings?
For Joseph Little, assistant head of the School of Architecture at DIT, it’s not about the style of architecture – it’s about individual building design and city planning.
“There’s a difference between Brutalist buildings and brutal buildings – ones that are harsh and unappealing.
“Busaras is a superb example of architecture. It belongs to early modern architecture and because we weren’t in World War II, Michael Scott was able to create something special.
“If people don’t like it, that’s fine – that’s your palette. But many architects like it. It has a lot of different materials and details at every different scale.”
Hayes says that the commonly thought of examples of brutalism in Dublin – Central Bank, the ESB headquarters on Fitzwilliam Street – are more inspired by the style than true examples of it abut says other examples are less successful.
“I think Dublin Council is poor architecture. Especially if you compare it with Central Bank, which is a pompous, self-important building – a cathedral to finance in many ways.
“It’s a very appropriate building – there’s a very interesting connection between building and its use.”
Hayes says that how Ireland has learned a lot from buildings which went up in the 60s and 70s about their relationship with their surroundings. Particularly from the ESB headquarters, which saw Georgian houses replaced by a concrete office building.
“The ESB is an interpretation of a Georgian streetscape and wasn’t successful. We’ve learnt a lot more about integrating new buildings with the older buildings around it. There is a building on Dublin’s quays, home to IBAT college – what it replaced was appalling but they stripped it down to the concrete frame and put a new skin on it. It’s more in tune with its surroundings and a very successful building.”
As for whether to go to “war” on our older buildings, Hayes says that’s not really the issue.
“When these buildings were put up, there was probably the want for cheaper and quicker buildings. And that’s what these buildings did. They were a very mechanistic response unsympathetic to the human condition.
“But it’s important to look at energy, cultural engagement, safety and heritage on the streetscape rather than just architectural style.”
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Phibsborough shopping centre must be the most brutal of all.
Apollo ,& Hawkins House or are you allowed to mention these now!
If we decided to get rid of all the brutal architecture in Dublin, i’m not sure there would be many buildings left standing.
You wouldn’t be far wrong there at all Fred!
Eh… there would be a hell of a lot of buildings left! Most of Dame street is beautiful Buildings and then there’s the central bank which is awful. Lots of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings in Dublin which are great looking and complement each other. It’s the crap we made after the Brits left which is usually horrible.
Trinity College , Bank of Ireland, Leinster house, the museums, pretty much all of Merrion square and any of the Georgian Town houses peppered around Dublin, the Pheonix Park……
Sorry I forgot Dublin Castle, City Hall, the GPO, The Customs House…..
@Fred Johnson:it is a shitload nicer than your precious Belfast.
@john: It’s amusing you’re criticizing one of the few buildings with any imagination, while you think the rest of the mock-Georgian garbage on the street is fine.
I never quite understood how quickly some architects would run to defend the ugliness of brutalist architecture as being ‘misunderstood by the masses’ . . . yet they’d frown at the mere suggestion of recreating classical building styles as being ‘old hat, unimaginative & pastiche’ . . . I’m delighted that time has eventually proved this thinking wrong.
Couldn’t agree with you more
Probably, it looks SHlTE!
Hawkins house, Liberty Hall. wood quay a real viking city dating back 1800 yrs only for the corpo to build a german bunker on it was disgrace, who was behind it along with other ugly buildings all over the city Dublin City Councillors/corporation who gave their blessing, under british rule we had beautiful buildings only for the irish state to demolish them and allow rubbish to be put up! There is no imagination with building now or in the past.
The Catholic Church is one of the greatest architectural vandals in the country having replaced many ancient churches (paid for by the parishioners) with 1960s trendy monstrosities.
The best architecture in Dublin was built by the British.
@Buster VL:
Rubbish
The best architecture built all over the country was designed and built by the British.
I’ll take that back if you don’t mind…
@Buster VL: They were built by Irish people. It’s time people start realizing that the Anglo-Irish were also Irish.
British architecture is impressive these days. Bad blip in 60s and 70s… Irish architecture completely talentless ugly garbage…
Grafton architects, O’Donnell and Tuomey, deBlacam and Meagher, Henry J Lyons, Scott Tallon Walker, bucholz McEvoy, peneghan heng etc etc. Talentless ugly garbage?
Rubbish. Ireland has a planning problem first and foremost. Setting a 28m height limit in the city centre isn’t very forward thinking. All its going to do is spread Dublin out into neighbouring counties. The historic core should be protected but raise the ceiling on the rest of it
County Hall in Cork was absolutely disgusting before it was given a face-lift. It might be worthwhile doing the same to other unsightly buildings around the country.
Genuine question, not trying to be cynical, I really don’t know: How does a government creates a policy to get rid of a private owned building and replace it? what happens to the occupants whether they are renters or owners and who pays for the costs and what happens to the occupants?
I still think Dun laoghaire library is fantastic. A rarity but I do love that building.
Also thought the Gibson hotel block turned out well and the Bord Gais theatre is lovely.
It’s not all misses to be fair.
To be fair, Dublin is more known for its modern sculptures. Many visitors aren’t looking at the Central Bank building, they’re looking at the tree of life, or Molly Malone, enjoying the tiny sculptures on Temple Bar paths, discovering a statue new to them. Everyone has a favourite one to show a friend.
Wouldn’t be too upset if Liberty Hall was levelled
Seeing as most of Dublin is West Britain anyway then maybe so.
The standard seems to be to run down anything outside of Dublin, anything to do with the Irish Language, Culture or Heritage.
Tut tut, your nation’s capital it is. Dont forget that!
Has anyone taken noticed the old revenue office on Sullivans quay in Cork soon to be demolished TG and the Garda headquarters on Anglesea St.both designed and built by the OPW architecturally absolute eyesores.
‘Gone to war’ with architecture? Exagerrate much? I’m sure Syrians would love the comparison and appreciate the simliarities.
Give it a rest.
I remember watching this video years ago. Prince Charles articulately slamming 80′s architecture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iriNIKeBLY
Sure, as long as we can build things like a concrete Stonehenge on Achill, we’ll be alright. Is that still standing by the way?
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