Brutalism as an architectural style may not survive

A few months ago, this story was on National Public Radio about a Christian Science church in Washington, D.C. It was built in 1971 in a style known as Brutalism, which is characterized by raw concrete in a modern, often stark, presentation. The Christian Science congregation wants to tear down the building and build new one it considers more appropriate to its current need and mission, but historic preservation is holding them up.

A recent story on Slate.com asked whether a newly restored Brutalist building at Yale will help preserve the style. (Yale's reasons for renovating the building were more financial than historic.)

Finally, here in Madison, Wisconsin, the University has its own Brutalist behemoth to contend with--the Mosse Humanities Building. Actually, that building is slated to be demolished, both for functional reasons and because few people will miss its aesthetic. Here's a link to an academic architecture blog that has a photo and short discussion of the Mosse Building.

(Photo by Heidi Glenn / NPR.)