Brutalist Plants is a new book that focuses on eco-brutalism

Brutalist Plants is a new book with an impressive selection of images that capture the best of the “eco-brutalism” trend. This texture-rich movement has gained attention recently, focusing on brutalist architecture that has been embraced – to varying degrees – by flora, as planting engulfs entire structures and creates a calming concrete jungle for city life.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Hoxton Mini Press)

Brutalist Plants by Olivia Broome

With their rough textures and sharp angles, brutalist structures can be divisive and ubiquitous – such concrete monoliths contribute to many urban landscapes in today's major cities around the world. Yet beauty and gentleness can be found in their undeniably sculptural and seemingly hard forms.

Mailman Center for Child Development, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA. Architect: Hilario Candela

The incorporation of vegetation can be part of the design and add a new level of intrigue – as concrete volumes effortlessly intertwine with the foliage flora, contrasting the hard and soft and light green tones of the plants with the textured gray of the material.

Bucharest, Romania — (Image credit: Bogdan Anghel)

Curated by Olivia Broome, Brutalist Plants had humble beginnings – an Instagram account that quickly gained traction with followers who also shared a love of eco-brutalism and perhaps the visual juxtaposition of monochromatic design and sprawling greenery.

Casa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, Mexico. Architect: Ludwig Godefroy

Together with photographers, Broome curated over 150 images of brutalist buildings surrounded by nature. The extensive selection of images includes designs that consciously consider their green context, while others show green reclaiming its built environment.

The Barbican Conservatory, London, United Kingdom. Architect: Chamberlin, Powell and Bon

Brutalist architecture tends to be associated with a colder, simpler aesthetic. This monograph provides insight into the symbiotic relationship between style and nature and illuminates its potential in architecture. From earthy roofs to living walls, greens and cool grays provide poetic contrast, proving that the existence of one does not have to exclude the other.

Reinforced slope, Aogashima, Tokyo, Japan

Browse through the book and discover the small garden of Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation and the lush courtyards and winter garden of London's Barbican Centre. Broome's selection takes the reader through the world's popular brutalist structures with a green twist.