Brutalist Architecture at York University
This project explores Brutalist architecture at the York University campus. Included are some of the most well known buildings on York campus that have a Brutalist architectural style.
Brutalist architecture is associated with the use of concrete as a building material, rough and textured surface. The rough finish is caused by the formwork that the concrete is poured into. The unfinished surface of the concrete is referred to a béton brut. Windows typically do not open, and form a contrast with the rough surface of the concrete that frames them. In addition to texture, the concrete displays a variation of colours which often evolve over time as a result of interaction with the climate and environmental conditions. Brutalist architecture is characterized by sculptural qualities resulting from the concrete forms. Exterior walkways and plazas often feature prominently in the design of Brutalist buildings.
The Brutalist style evolved in the U.K., and was embraced by architects around the world in the 1960s and 1970s. Architects in Canada applied the Brutalist style to public buildings and universities. These buildings are often known for their large scale, sculptural qualities, and a prominent use of concrete, characteristics that contribute to the buildings' monumentality and longevity. Many universities were built in Canada during the 1960s and 1970s, and many were built in the Brutalist style.
York University includes several such buildings. Under the direction of its first president, Dr. Murray G. Ross, the university was founded in 1959. Its first campus was at Glendon Hall which opened in 1961. Four years later, the Keele campus opened. This new campus was the site of a lot of expansion during the late 1960s. Many of the university's buildings were built during the 1960s and 1970s, notably from 1962 to 1972 at the Keele campus. The development over a twenty year period was based on a master plan. The University Planners, Architects ad Consulting Engineers (UPACE) undertook the design of many of the buildings. UPACE was made up of three firms from Toronto: Gordon S. Adamson and Associates, John B. Parkin Associates, and Shore and Moffatt and Partners. Many of the buildings exhibited similar Brutalist qualities, small windows, open public spaces surrounding and connecting buildings, and low to mid-rise. The building construction took place alongside an expanding population of students, reaching 12,000 by 1969.
The selection of buildings in this project is not exhaustive, yet it includes some of the most well known buildings.
Learn more about brutalist architecture
