Concrete and Code is a book that illustrates the history and philosophy of Brutalist architecture as it confronts the contemporary problem of information overload.

In the past, Brutalism, a style marked by bold geometric forms and the use of raw concrete as its primary material, spoke to a post-war world in desperate need of urban renewal. In today’s context, the concept of Brutalism finds a new expression in the digital realm, particularly on the web. The term “digital-Brutalism” has been coined to describe websites and online platforms that adopt a similarly raw and unfiltered aesthetic. Just as Brutalist architecture responded to the physical clutter and devastation of post-war cities, digital-Brutalism confronts the metaphorical clutter of information overload in the online world. These websites often feature stark, unembellished designs, prioritizing functionality and directness over aesthetic flourishes.

The use of raw materials, such as concrete, is the defining feature of Brutalist architecture. Its honesty, raw beauty, and boldness produce architecture with a soul that speaks directly to people’s hearts. To embody and display the beauty of raw materials, I constructed a textured shell using white glue and newspaper, spray-printing it to look like raw concrete.

The cover is made of unaltered cardboard. The embossing gives it a rough texture, mimicking concrete. The exposed binding also demonstrates the concept of raw. The introductory spread emphasizes the reasons for the emergence of Brutalism by telling the story of the post-war world. The ruined streets, people’s lives after the war, and the form the brutalist architecture.

Concepts of geometric shapes and raw textures are used throughout the book in the form of typography, imagery, and geometric graphic elements. The modular typeface, numbers, are inspired by Brutalist forms. The original geometric shapes represent an honest and pure expression of Brutalist architecture. Typography is a powerful tool for creating an atmosphere that is reminiscent of architectural structures. I created a visual narrative consistent with the geometry, balance, and roughness found in Brutalist architecture by using typography.