Brutalist Plants: When Concrete Surrenders to the Love of Nature

In the world of architecture, concrete is a bit of a ‘marmite’ building material: Some love it, some hate it. Yet it’s one of the essential materials in construction, forming the physical foundation, framework, and finishing of many architectural projects. One notable example is Habitat 67, a housing complex at Cité du Havre on the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Designed by Israeli-Canadian-American architect Moshe Safdie. These stark forms of these buildings became known as Brutalist; loved and hated equally yet are now considered works of art. A new book shows this hard material with a softer side, find out more in Brutalist Plants: When Concrete Surrenders to the Love of Nature

Main image on the left from Brutalist Plants; Evangelische Friedenskirche (Peace Church), Monheim-Baumberg, Germany. Architect: Walter Maria Förderer

In the world of brutalist architecture, where concrete reigns supreme, there exists a captivating phenomenon: the gradual encroachment of nature upon the man-made. Here buildings with the starkest of exteriors (and interiors) have ‘made friends;’ with plants, bringing a softer aside to this somewhat harsh style.

Les Étoiles d’Ivry, Paris, France. Architect: Jean Renaudie; Images from Brutalist Plants

Through over 150 striking images curated by Olivia Broome, we are invited to witness a profound transformation, a narrative of abandonment and resurgence, in this new book Brutalist Plants.

Monument to the Revolution, Kozara National Park, Prijedor,
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Architect: Dušan Džamonja ; Images from Brutalist Plants

In some cases, buildings were initially designed with greenery incorporated, such as green roofs and living walls. Today, living walls or vertical gardens are highly fashionable, symbolizing a commitment to sustainability and a desire to bring nature into urban environments. Popular in new builds as the plants take Carbon Monoxide out of the air.

Habitat 67

Award-winning Habitat 67 comprises 354 identical, prefabricated concrete forms and created 146 residences of varying sizes and configurations, each formed from one to eight linked concrete units.

Habitat 67, Montreal, Canada. Architect: Moshe Safdie

Each unit is connected to at least one private landscaped garden terrace.

The concept of plants as part of a building as can be seen is far from new. Architects have been integrating greenery into their designs for decades, especially within the realms of brutalist architecture. Examples include Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, which features rooftop gardens and communal green spaces, and the Barbican Estate in London, known for its extensive use of plants and water features amidst its concrete structures.

When added to these harsh buildings, the greenery and the life it represents seem to almost soften the grey exterior, giving the bleak canvas a sense of life. The lush courtyards and conservatory of the Barbican Centre, for instance, create a striking contrast with its rugged concrete, transforming it into a vibrant, inviting space. This illustrates how the fusion of concrete and vegetation can transform stark brutalist structures into dynamic and livable environments.

Mill Owners’ Association Building, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Architect: Le Corbusier; Images from Brutalist Plants

In other instances, the buildings may have been abandoned, and nature found its way in; reclaiming the space over time.

What initially appears as scenes of desolation and neglect reveal themselves to be something far more profound. Nature, it seems, is not content to be merely a passive observer of human endeavours. Instead, it asserts itself with a quiet, yet undeniable force, slowly but surely reclaiming territory long thought lost to the march of progress.

Casa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, Mexico. Architect: Ludwig Godefroy; Images from Brutalist Plants

In some of these images, we glimpse a world where time stands still, where the vestiges of human habitation are gradually consumed by the inexorable march of vegetation.

Mailman Center for Child Development, University of Miami; Images from Brutalist Plants

Cracks in concrete become conduits for life, as resilient plants push through the hardened surface, reclaiming their rightful place in the sun. What emerges is a post-apocalyptic landscape, a hauntingly beautiful tableau that speaks to the resilience of nature in the face of human folly.

Casa de Vidro, São Paulo, Brazil. Architect: Lina Bo Bardi; Images from Brutalist Plants

But perhaps what is most striking about these scenes is not the triumph of nature over concrete, but rather the realization of the ephemeral nature of human endeavor.

The Barbican Conservatory, London, United Kingdom. Architect: Chamberlin, Powell and Bon; Images from Brutalist Plants

In the grand scheme of things, our towering structures and imposing edifices are but fleeting monuments to our own ambition. And yet, in their decay, they become something else entirely, a canvas upon which nature paints its own masterpiece, reminding us of our place in the grand tapestry of life.

Cover of Brutalist Plants

In a similar vein, the upcoming documentary Heart of an Oak, offers a poetic and immersive look at the natural world. This beautiful documentary follows a year in the life of a majestic, 210-year-old oak tree and its many inhabitants, exploring the immensely rich universe thriving beneath its branches.

Poster of the film Heart of an oak

Featuring a unique cast including squirrels, birds, ants, and mice, Heart of an Oak is packed with humour, joy, and heart-in-your-mouth action. This remarkable feature provides a fascinating insight into the heart of a buzzing, vibrant ecosystem, showcasing the resilience and complexity of nature.

Image from the film Heart of an oak

Directed by Laurent Charbonnier and Michel Seydoux, the film employs cutting-edge audiovisual technologies, including 360-degree virtual cameras and special effects, to offer an unprecedented immersion into the microscopic worlds and inner universe of living creatures.

The directors intended to blend documentary storytelling with the narrative and technical expertise of fictional feature films, creating an experience that is both educational and deeply moving.

Image from the film Heart of an oak

In the clash between concrete and foliage, we are reminded of the fragility of our own existence, and of the enduring power of the natural world. As we bear witness to the silent resurgence of nature amidst the ruins of human civilization, and as we explore the vibrant ecosystem of an ancient oak in Heart of an Oak, we are left with a humbling reminder of our own impermanence. Ultimately, it is nature that will have the final say, reclaiming and transforming our creations into new forms of life and beauty.

Heart of an Oak will be available exclusively in the UK on the Icon Film Channel from June 10th, in select UK cinemas from July 12th, and on digital download from August 12th.

If you enjoyed reading Brutalist Plants: When Concrete Surrenders to the Love of Nature why not read Why a Holiday in a Forest or Woods is Magical 

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