Note change of venue, back to the shop!

You will understand the true power of concrete and of mammoth-sized buildings, but also some of the more subtle aspects of brutalist buildings that you may not have known or considered.

Brutalist architecture, which flourished in the 1950s to mid-1970s, gained its name from the term ‘ Beton-brut’, or raw concrete – the material of choice for the movement. British architectural critic Reyner Banham adapted the term into ‘brutalism’ (originally ‘New Brutalism’) to identify the emerging style. The architectural style – typified by buildings such as Trellick Tower in London and Unite D’Habitation in Marseille – is controversial but has an enthusiastic fan base, including the speaker who is on a mission to explain his passion.

John Grindrod’s talk will be enlightening for those new to the subject, bringing humour, insight and honesty to the subject but will also interest those already immersed in built culture.

Illustrated with striking drawings by The Brutal Artist, the talk is divided up into a series of mini talks that explain the brutalist world from a human aspect (John grew up amongst these buildings), as well as an architectural, historical and even pop cultural angle. The book journeys from the UK to discover brutalism and its influence around the world – from Le Corbusier’s designs in Chandigarh, India, to Lina Bo Bardi’s buildings in Brazil.

John Grindrod came to the bookshop last year to talk about his book Outskirts, and he is a very good speaker.

In association with Notts and Derby Society of Architects and the Twentieth Century Society

Tickets: £3.00 on the door, but free to students

To book a place, simply email us at  fiveleaves.bookshopevents@gmail.com