Artist Adam Carthy Champions Beauty in Brutalist Architecture Through Concrete Models

Despite a common view that Brutalist architecture lacks soul and is devoid of beauty, artist Adam Carthy holds a deep appreciation for the style. He expresses this passion by spending months crafting concrete replicas of Brutalist structures globally. Having established his business, Spaceplay, almost ten years ago, Mr. Carthy has distributed approximately 10,000 models. He states his objective is to enable individuals to embrace their memories with pride. He noted, “People feel connected to these buildings but they often feel a bit embarrassed about sharing their connection and love.” Mr. Carthy began producing these models following his redundancy from an architecture position, and he currently operates his business on a full-time basis. His models are dispatched globally, with orders originating from nations such as Japan, Canada, Australia, and South Korea. He asserted, “There are millions of people who think these buildings are beautiful, there’s a global community of appreciation.” He also mentioned that the process of creating the models allows him to discover the affection others hold for these structures, which he finds “very special.” He further stated, “Buildings are places of stories that we all share and Brutalism has some of the most beautiful stories.” Brutalism, an architectural style characterized by large, grey constructions, is linked to Britain’s post-war era and is believed to derive its name from the French term ‘beton brut,’ signifying raw concrete. This style became prominent in the 1950s when urban areas underwent rapid reconstruction following wartime devastation. A specific model, depicting Birmingham Central Library, was produced to highlight the building’s significance during discussions about its potential demolition in 2015. Mr. Carthy commented, “There seems to be an understanding that these buildings are ugly or that they are poor buildings and I think that perception is not true.” He further described Brutalism as embodying a “freedom to be expressive” and possessing a “distinctive and unique” design. Having been raised in Birmingham, Mr. Carthy initially focused his models on the city’s architectural landscape. He hopes to encourage individuals to re-evaluate their perceptions of the city and to value their environment, encompassing both its inhabitants and structures. He stated, “Birmingham is an understated city and it has an incredible energy but it never champions itself.” He concluded, “The communities and buildings are often overlooked and I think there is a lot that can be celebrated.” Readers can connect with BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.