Brutalism & The Alley by Alejandro Alberto

         The Alley Theatre is currently going through renovations updating its interior design work to a more contemporary look and feel and what they believe will last through time. This being a common theme for The Alley Theatre, as change has always been part of their history since the conception of the company. However, though change does happen often, their vision stays the same, to have a theatre that draws people in and allows them to have a good time.

            Part of this vision involved creating a home of their own in downtown Houston. In 1968, it was realized when their new home was opened right in the heart of Houston. Ulrich Franzen was the architect who was contracted to design the new Alley’s home (Alley). Franzen was inspired by what we all know now as the brutalist movement (Ulrich). Though now they are redesigning the interior, the exterior is staying virtually the same. This is because the building has become well known for its “theme” and draw thanks to Franzen and his design work.

            Brutalism was a movement through architecture that was popular between the 1950s through mid 1970s (Ulrich). The word brutal comes from the French word “béton brut”, which means “raw concrete.” It was a term Le Corbusier used to describe his choice of material (n.d). It became popular as a building choice for low income housing and government office spaces. This was due to the economically depressed and World war II ravaged countries who could not afford large budgets for buildings. Even those who were able to afford it, decided to follow the movement as it was seen as the next generation of architecture. Brutalism is characterized by the use of material in there natural state, especially concrete. It also follows a grid like modular element (n.d.). Most brutalist buildings have facades made all from concrete and don’t have a finish to it. The most popular brutalist building is Le Corbusier Unité d’Habitation, pictured on the right. Brutalism was neither shy nor bashful. It stands strong and gives a big impression.

            The Alley Theatre does just that. In the middle of a busy and very crowded downtown Houston, it stands tall as one of a few brutalist building left to see. The impression of a very simplistic façade that holds inside a very uniquely designed theatre that holds all the best plays Houston has to offer. In the mist of it all, the Alley theatre is truly one of a kind.  

References 

Alley Theatre - Houston, Texas - Photos of Alley Renovation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://www.alleytheatre.org/Alle /Photos_of_Alley_Renovation1.asp

          Ulrich Franzen | ArchDaily. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://www.archdaily.com/tag/ulrich-franzen/ 

          Houston Photos - Page Two. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://www.top-city-photos.com/houston_city_photographs2.htm

          A HOME OF OUR OWN. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://www.alleytheatre.org/Alley/A_Home_of_Our_Own.asp 

      (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2015, from http://offcite.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2010/03/NewBrutalism_Fox_Cite40.pdf