Joseph Wilson

• MArch Architecture
• Brutalism: The American Dream or an American Nightmare?

My dissertation research concentrates on the current discussions surrounding the cultural significance of Brutalist architecture.  International Brutalisms appeared in the post-war period and discussions regarding their qualities and status continue today.

I have specifically focussed upon on North America’s affiliation with Brutalism during the post war era.  I conducted field research in several US and Canadian cities, analysing a series of brutalist buildings.  I also interviewed academic researchers and practicing architects to gain a greater understanding of North American Brutalism and analyse how it contributes to the global conversation of International Brutalisms.

During the course of my field research, I noticed that North American universities are in abundance with modern concrete architecture.  I found that the demands created by the Second World War made an opening for theories that reconfigured universities’ approaches to planning and architectural expression.  This paved the way for architects to implement their modern ideologies onto campuses.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Dr Stephen Parnell