The value of brutalist architecture to tackle city housing shortages

In army parlance, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. This saying in accordance with the challenges that climate change has presented is fit for purpose amid the global conundrum and the fight against the planet's forces. All efforts (coastal protection barriers, rain water harvesting, food aid, etc.) that are currently in place by the United Nations to address rising seas, drought, and food scarcity will at some point become obsolete in either their scope or purpose. Depending on how effective they were in solving the problems listed as Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations they will need to inevitably change over time.

Forgive me if I digress a bit but there's a catch to the incoming drift. Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, for those who opted for Atlas Shrugged instead, is a fiction novel set in the early 1900s about a determined and ambitious but stubborn architect who rises to become a popular and important part of the architecture scene in America. The protagonist, Howard, was non-conformist and had an unequivocal style to his sketches and buildings. Skyscrapers and other grand architectural designs in the 30s and 40s in America were typically owned by brilliant but odd industrialists who had money to spend either from ongoing war efforts or capitalist and entrepreneurial means. Thus, architects like the protagonist in the novel will always have radical ideas (brutalist architecture is radical), and their beliefs will be typically aligned with a style or school of thought. The spirit of Charles-Édouard Jeanneret aka Le Corbusier lives on.

Coming back from my Ayn Rand drift and drilling down to the value of modern design and the trade off between beauty and function in the fight against climate change, the operational risk of flooding to infrastructure in Massachusetts and neighbouring states is gargantuan. So also is the case in all other coastal cities worldwide. With flooding comes loss of life and destruction to properties like schools, banks, and religious houses which will need to be rebuilt and repurposed to withstand the blitz of climate change. Considering the rich history and heritage of the lanes of the state of Massachusetts and its capital of Boston, the need to combat the effects of climate change is dire.

According to First Street Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in New York, it is estimated that in Massachusetts and within the periods of 2021 to 2051, 379 social facilities, 72 infrastructure facilities (includes airports, fire stations, hospitals, police stations, ports, etc.), 2,119 commercial properties, and 1,181 miles of road will be flooded to the point of being inoperable. This means they will no longer function as intended and will become unsafe for denizens.

Suffolk County sits at top spot with 7.7% of residential properties (6,221), 13.6% of roads (234), and 22.3% of commercial buildings (875) at growing operational risk of water reaching buildings or causing roads to become inoperable. The other two measures, social and infrastructure are also the direst in Suffolk County with 17.5% of education or social facilities (179), and 19.8% of critical infrastructures (35). Other counties were also discussed in the report.

To combat the effects of climate change, with architecture as a focal point for sustainability and resilience against harsh weather conditions, brutalism brings a rugged solution to an impending disastrous dystopia. Firstly, because the aesthetic of the architectural design is ‘béton brut’, (concrete, as is) such that developers can then focus more on the interior and other modern features associated with smart homes like energy metering, water recycling and conservation in general, developers will need to accentuate its natural beauty with the infusion of eco-friendly features and designs.

Secondly, the opportunity to use the unique features of brutalist structures for the purpose of sustainability, in particular, the collection and refinement of rainwater and alternative energy generation can be exploited. Flat and angular designs provide this opportunity. Plant cover or small farms on roofs, and the lack of walls for an open floor plan for a bold and innovative utilisation of space and natural light are possibilities. Eco-friendly features are today's norm and they are mandated by building codes for housing, office or warehousing, whichever the case. The One Dalton in Back Bay Boston has a very different ethos and pathos compared to the brutalist Boston City Hall building which was built in 1968 during the Nixon era but the city hall still has a unique place in the fight against climate change. As such, it can always be upgraded for resilience with 3D software and digital twins during the planning phase.

In conclusion, Boston has a mixture of styles of architecture like federalist, colonial, and romanesque among many that are built in granite and sandstone perhaps to signify strength, durability, and power. It is essential to note that most of these buildings that were built more than a century ago historically stand as monuments to a struggle or a time that represents what the city still stands for today. As urban city planners and developers seek to innovate and provide structures that are attractive to buyers, it is important to source and infuse climate friendly materials like concrete that has low carbon content which can be used for flood resistant barrier projects and coastline protection. Also, the risk of affordability by new homeowners or renters when weighed against the cost of developing climate resilient properties must be monitored as higher end materials may make it difficult for prospective owners to own or rent thereby causing a housing or property crisis. To protect the city’s assets and its identity from the impending losses detailed above due to its location on the coast and proximity to the sea, the nature and characteristics of brutalist architecture can be brought to the fore and be used as resilient infrastructure in the fight against climate change. Inevitably, strategy and policy, more palliatives, and heavy subsidies may need to be introduced for higher flood risk prone areas to effectively address affordable housing problems and climate change.