Which architect is often called the father of Brutalism?

Which architect is often called the father of Brutalism? Le Corbusier is often given that title.

The Swiss-French architect helped establish Brutalism’s visual language through his postwar use of exposed, unfinished concrete, known in French as béton brut. His 1952 Unité d’Habitation in Marseille is especially important: its massive form, rough concrete surfaces, modular apartments and visible structural logic became a major influence on later Brutalist designers.

The label is informal rather than an official historical title. Brutalism was shaped by several architects, including Alison and Peter Smithson, Ernő Goldfinger and Louis Kahn. The Smithsons helped develop “New Brutalism” in Britain, while critic Reyner Banham popularised the movement’s terminology and theory.

A common mix-up is confusing the person most associated with Brutalism’s concrete foundations with the people who named or promoted the movement. Le Corbusier did not single-handedly create every version of Brutalism, but he is the canonical answer to this general quiz question.