Brutalism has become the subject of architecture tours, a coffee-table art book darling, and a highly sought-after living environment. But concrete is a complicated material, both appreciated and demonized. IDEAS explores the implications of Brutalism’s 21st century hipster aesthetic in a world of housing challenges, environmental crisis, and economic polarization. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 11, 2024.

Guests in this episode:

Joseph Bogdan is principal emeritus at BNKC Architects, Urban Design Consultants.

Elisabeth Bogdan is subject lead at Sotheby's Institute of Art London.

Stasia Bogdan is a senior leader for healthcare capital planning and design at Unity Health Toronto.

Nick Thoburn is a professor in the department of sociology at the University of Manchester. He's also the author of Brutalism as Found: Housing, Form and Crisis at Robin Hood Gardens (Goldsmiths Press, 2022).

Zahireen Tarefdar is a Toronto-based creative and enthusiast of the Ontario Science Centre.