Top 11 'Concrete-Canvas' Brutalist Buildings to visit for Powerful Architectural Shots in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
There's a raw, undeniable power to Brutalist architecture. Forget the polished gleam of glass-and-steel skyscrapers for a moment. Instead, picture monolithic forms, unapologetic concrete, and a heroic sense of scale that commands your attention. For photographers, these structures are more than just buildings; they're giant, textured sculptures dropped into our urban landscapes—veritable 'concrete canvases' waiting for the right light.
Once dismissed as cold and imposing, Brutalism has seen a massive resurgence in popularity, captivating a new generation of admirers who appreciate its honesty, ambition, and dramatic photographic potential. The style, which flourished from the 1950s to the 1970s, championed raw materials (béton brut, or raw concrete) and structural expression. The result is an architecture of dramatic shadows, repeating geometric patterns, and a profound sense of weight and permanence.
As we look ahead to 2025, it’s the perfect time to plan your next architectural photography adventure. Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we love to explore subjects that challenge the eye and inspire powerful compositions. This list is your curated guide to eleven of the world's most photogenic Brutalist icons—each offering a unique challenge and a rewarding photographic experience. Pack your wide-angle lens, and let's explore.
1. The Barbican Estate, London, UK
The Barbican is not just a building; it's an entire world. This sprawling complex in the heart of London is a masterpiece of post-war urban planning, designed as a utopian vision for city living. Its fortress-like walls enclose serene residential blocks, a world-class arts centre, tranquil gardens, and a stunning conservatory, all connected by a network of elevated walkways.
For the photographer, the Barbican is a lesson in texture and contrast. The signature "pick-hammered" concrete finish gives every surface a rough, tactile quality that begs to be captured in detail. The genius of the design lies in its juxtaposition of this harsh material with a surprising amount of nature. The central lake and the lush, overgrown greenery of the conservatory create a beautiful tension between the man-made and the natural.
- Photography Tip: Spend time on the highwalks to find unique, elevated perspectives of the courtyards below. For a classic shot, frame the iconic Barbican towers reflected in the lake. Don't miss the conservatory on select weekends; the contrast between tropical plants and raw concrete is a shot you won't find anywhere else.
2. Habitat 67, Montreal, Canada
Looking like a futuristic cubist sculpture, Habitat 67 is one of the most unique residential buildings on the planet. Designed by Moshe Safdie as his master's thesis for Expo 67, this experimental complex is composed of 354 identical, prefabricated concrete modules stacked in a seemingly chaotic yet artful arrangement.
The genius of Habitat 67 is its play on light and form. Each interlocking block creates a complex geometry of deep shadows and bright highlights that shifts dramatically throughout the day. It was designed to give each apartment privacy, a garden, and a sense of individuality—a radical departure from the typical apartment block.
- Photography Tip: Visit during the golden hour. The low-angle sun will carve out the shapes of the individual modules, creating a breathtaking sense of depth and dimension. Use a telephoto lens to isolate interesting clusters of blocks, or a wide-angle lens from across the Saint Lawrence River to capture its full, iconic silhouette.
3. Geisel Library, University of California, San Diego, USA
Part spaceship, part concrete ziggurat, the Geisel Library is a true icon of late-modernist design. Named after Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss), the building's otherworldly form seems fitting for a place dedicated to imagination and knowledge. Designed by William Pereira, its heavy concrete piers branch out to support a multi-story, glass-enclosed structure that seems to float above the ground.
This building is all about bold, dramatic lines and a powerful silhouette. Its commanding presence on the university campus makes it a focal point from every angle. The reinforced concrete arches and the stark, angular geometry are a dream for photographers who love strong, graphic compositions.
- Photography Tip: Get low to the ground with a wide-angle lens and shoot upwards to exaggerate its imposing, futuristic form against a clear blue or stormy sky. For a different take, focus on the repeating patterns of the windows and the way light filters through the building's massive structural supports.
4. Unité d'Habitation, Marseille, France
If you want to photograph the source code of Brutalism, go to Marseille. Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation is the movement's foundational text, a revolutionary "machine for living" that redefined high-density housing. This colossal building is raised on massive pilotis (concrete stilts), freeing the ground level for green space.
Its most famous feature is the Mondrian-esque grid of balconies, with deep-set loggias painted in primary colors, offering a vibrant contrast to the raw concrete (béton brut). But the real photographic playground is the rooftop. It’s a surreal landscape of sculptural ventilation stacks, a running track, and a wading pool, all with panoramic views of Marseille and the Mediterranean.
- Photography Tip: Focus your lens on the rhythm and repetition of the colourful balconies. Use a longer lens to compress the facade into an abstract pattern. On the roof, treat the ventilation stacks as individual sculptures, framing them against the sky for powerful, minimalist shots.
5. Trellick Tower, London, UK
An imposing sentinel in the West London skyline, Trellick Tower is one of architect Ernő Goldfinger's most famous and controversial works. This 31-story residential block is a prime example of Brutalism's social vision, designed to be a self-contained vertical community.
Its most distinctive feature is the separate service tower, containing the lifts, stairs, and utilities, connected to the main residential block by a series of narrow sky-bridges on every third floor. This functional separation creates a dramatic and instantly recognizable profile. The building's raw, corduroy-like concrete facade has aged beautifully, taking on a patina that tells the story of its history.
- Photography Tip: Capture the tower from the base of the nearby Grand Union Canal for a classic shot that emphasizes its towering height. Use a telephoto lens to isolate the details of the sky-bridges connecting the two towers, creating a sense of scale and tension.
6. Wotruba Church, Vienna, Austria
Brutalism meets abstract sculpture at the Wotruba Church on the outskirts of Vienna. Designed by sculptor Fritz Wotruba, this building appears as a chaotic pile of 152 asymmetrical concrete blocks. It’s a radical departure from traditional church architecture, creating a space for worship that is both jarring and deeply contemplative.
There are no traditional lines or symmetries here. The building is a puzzle of form, light, and shadow. Gaps between the massive blocks are filled with plain glass, allowing slivers of light to pierce the interior in unpredictable ways. This creates an ever-changing atmosphere that is a true challenge and delight to photograph.
- Photography Tip: Black and white photography is your best friend here. It will accentuate the stark forms, the rough texture of the concrete, and the dramatic interplay of light and shadow without the distraction of color. Walk around the entire structure; every angle reveals a new and surprising abstract composition.
7. Boston City Hall, Boston, USA
Few buildings are as divisive—and as photogenically powerful—as Boston City Hall. Hailed by architects as a masterpiece and derided by some locals as an eyesore, its monumental presence is undeniable. Designed by Kallmann, McKinnell & Knowles, it is a textbook example of Brutalism's governmental and civic expression.
The building's inverted ziggurat form, with its cantilevered upper floors, creates deep, dramatic shadows. The vast brick plaza surrounding it serves to emphasize its scale, making it feel like an ancient monument dropped into a modern city. The intricate patterns and textures of its concrete facade offer endless opportunities for detailed abstract shots.
- Photography Tip: Shoot in the harsh midday sun to maximize the deep shadows that define the building's form. Frame your shot to include the contrast between the rough concrete of City Hall and the sleek glass of the modern skyscrapers that surround it.
8. Torres Blancas, Madrid, Spain
Translating to "White Towers," this building is ironically made of dark, exposed concrete. Architect Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza's masterpiece defies the blocky stereotypes of Brutalism with its cluster of organic, cylindrical forms that resemble a giant concrete tree.
The design is a complex interplay of curves and voids. The rounded balconies, interwoven like leaves on a vine, create a dynamic and sculptural facade that is unlike anything else. It’s a softer, more expressionist take on Brutalism that feels both futuristic and primal.
- Photography Tip: Stand at the base and shoot directly up. The dizzying perspective will turn the interwoven cylinders into a mesmerizing abstract pattern. Experiment with different times of day to see how the curved surfaces catch the light and create soft, evolving shadows.
9. The Breuer Building, New York City, USA
A heavyweight granite-clad masterpiece on Madison Avenue, Marcel Breuer’s design for the former Whitney Museum of American Art is a study in controlled power. The building is a top-heavy, inverted ziggurat that seems to defy gravity, asserting its presence among the more traditional buildings of the Upper East Side.
Its most recognizable features are the distinctive, trapezoidal windows that jut out from the facade, which Breuer described as "eyes." The dark granite and concrete surfaces give it a sombre, fortress-like quality, but these playful windows add a touch of personality. It’s a perfect subject for street and architectural photographers alike.
- Photography Tip: Capture it from across the street to show how it cantilevers over the sidewalk. Use its solid, imposing form as a backdrop for street photography, contrasting the permanent structure with the fleeting motion of New York City life.
10. National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan
Showcasing a more refined and polished take on the style, Kisho Kurokawa’s National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka is a stunning example of Japanese Metabolism, a movement that shares much of its DNA with Brutalism. The building is a modular system of stacked concrete and aluminum cubes, creating a complex and visually rhythmic facade.
The building is situated within the Expo '70 Commemorative Park, and its design beautifully interacts with the surrounding landscape and water features. The mirrored glass and sleek lines offer a different photographic challenge than the rough, textured concrete of its Western counterparts, focusing more on reflection, precision, and pattern.
- Photography Tip: Look for compositions that capture the building's reflection in the surrounding water. The perfect symmetry of these reflections can create incredibly serene and balanced images. Use the grid-like patterns of the facade to create strong leading lines within your frame.
11. Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, USA
Our final stop is a building that transcends simple labels. While not purely Brutalist, Louis Kahn’s Salk Institute is a masterclass in the poetic use of concrete and light. It consists of two symmetrical laboratory blocks flanking a stark, travertine-paved courtyard. A thin channel of water, the "River of Life," runs down the center, seemingly flowing into the vast Pacific Ocean beyond.
The building is an exercise in sublime minimalism. The poured-in-place concrete is warm and almost velvety, glowing in the California sun. Kahn’s meticulous attention to detail and his understanding of how light shapes space make this a place of pilgrimage for architects and photographers. Projects like the Salk Institute, which I love to highlight, are more than just architecture; they're complete sensory experiences.
- Photography Tip: You absolutely must be here for the golden hour before sunset. The warm light turns the concrete a beautiful pinkish-gold. The iconic shot is looking down the central water channel towards the ocean, but don't forget to explore the angles from the lower levels and the way light pours into the teak-accented study towers.
Your Concrete Canvas Awaits
Brutalist architecture challenges us to see beauty in unconventional places. It teaches us to appreciate texture, to master light and shadow, and to find the human story within monumental structures. These eleven buildings are just a starting point for an incredible photographic journey in 2025.
Each one offers a unique voice and a powerful presence. Whether you’re drawn to the utopian vision of the Barbican or the minimalist perfection of the Salk Institute, these concrete canvases are ready for you to capture them.
Now I want to hear from you. Which of these Brutalist gems is on your travel list? Is there a powerful concrete building in your city that you love to photograph? Share your thoughts and your favorite locations in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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