Editing Brutalism (section)

== Institutional Buildings ==

Brutalism served institutional purposes throughout Philadelphia, with government, educational, and cultural buildings adopting the style during its period of dominance. The style's associations with permanence and public purpose made it attractive for buildings that required monumental presence without the expense of traditional materials. Concrete construction allowed dramatic forms—cantilevered volumes, sculptural masses, fortress-like enclosure—at costs that competitive institutions could afford.<ref name="tatum"/>

Many Brutalist institutional buildings have proven difficult to maintain and adapt. Concrete surfaces that appeared powerfully raw when new can seem merely shabby after decades of weathering and staining. Buildings designed for specific programs resist reconfiguration as needs change. The style's aggressive character, compelling in original context, can appear hostile in altered surroundings. These practical problems, combined with aesthetic unpopularity, have led to demolition of some Brutalist buildings while others receive unsympathetic renovation that obscures original character.<ref name="banham"/>