I think it’s beautiful. It represents the capacity of concrete to psychologically defy gravity. It’s very structural, like it was made from Childrens’ building blocks. It still looks futuristic in 2025. It represents organization and its repetition of lines and squares creates a harmony. On an anthropomorphic level, it represents hierarchy from it order and proportions. It represents stability and in a way harkens towards referencing a mediaeval impenetrability. Like a castle or fortress. Much larger than human scale. Rather than feeling diminutive and threatened by the grandeur and stability of the structure as one approaches being a small and insignificant human, one might feel proud that this wonderful public fortress maintains consistency and order for administration of the city. People don’t think of these things, but architecture does.
I love this building. Brutalism, ESPECIALLY prime examples such as Boston City Hall is retro and cool and a throwback to a period in time which give it a ton of character. If it were up to all these people there would be no character in our cities at all, it's the exact reason that massive amounts of beautiful victorian architecture was torn down all over the US in the 1950's because it wasn't "modern" looking. Most people have zero taste and absolutely no clue what they are talking about.. thats why all their home kitchens right now have zero color; white walls, grey wood flooring, white cabinets, Edison bulbs and a live, laugh, love sign 🤣
It has no "character". The 1700 and 1800s were the days where craftsmen worked their magic creativity, and used beautiful materials to bring joy not austerity to peoples lives.
@@viviannedonnelly233 The very fact that it's the pinnacle example of an architectural style of a specific time period gives it character whether you find it appealing or not.
Only someone who has never studied architecture would say it is ugly. They have no appreciation for its proportions and complex symmetry. It is a landmark structure in so many ways.
Brutalism comes from the art brut movement which basically captures this modernist line of thinking amongst artists that an honest lack of sophistication is both morally and aesthetically superior. That is why brutalist buildings put their building materials on display rather than have facades.
i like this building. IT'S DIFFERENT. IT'S UNIQUE. IT'S UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE. why should it look like ALL other buildings?!!!. so shut up people. who cares if you don't like it !.
Regardless of the building itself, with the glut of office space downtown, I’d like to see city hall move into a vacant high rise nearby and allow this enormous plaza to be redeveloped into a dense populated residential community.
All of those buildings from the 60s, they are so incredibly ugly and dehumanizing. Especially in Boston, couldn't there have been a more open design or point of pride for our history?
Gargoyles are not put on the tops of buildings for esthetics, they are rainspouts. None of these people know anything about art to be given the opportunity to criticize it. It's really easy to criticize
you are right. Even the rainspouts were so imaginative and decorative. I confess I have a victorian home that down to its door hinges is covered with floral designs etched into the brass.
What's your take on Boston City Hall?
Add a public roof garden with trees. Hanging vines. Why not a Rathskeller (Resteraunt Bar) like in city halls in Germany.
Am I the only one who loves this building? I find it fascinating 🤷🏾♂️
The building is fantastic. The public space surrounding it is abysmal.
I think it’s beautiful. It represents the capacity of concrete to psychologically defy gravity. It’s very structural, like it was made from Childrens’ building blocks. It still looks futuristic in 2025. It represents organization and its repetition of lines and squares creates a harmony. On an anthropomorphic level, it represents hierarchy from it order and proportions. It represents stability and in a way harkens towards referencing a mediaeval impenetrability. Like a castle or fortress. Much larger than human scale. Rather than feeling diminutive and threatened by the grandeur and stability of the structure as one approaches being a small and insignificant human, one might feel proud that this wonderful public fortress maintains consistency and order for administration of the city. People don’t think of these things, but architecture does.
I grew to like this building too! It’s part of our city’s history. Don’t destroy it! It contrasts well with Faneuil Hall’s red bricks!
I love this building. Brutalism, ESPECIALLY prime examples such as Boston City Hall is retro and cool and a throwback to a period in time which give it a ton of character. If it were up to all these people there would be no character in our cities at all, it's the exact reason that massive amounts of beautiful victorian architecture was torn down all over the US in the 1950's because it wasn't "modern" looking. Most people have zero taste and absolutely no clue what they are talking about.. thats why all their home kitchens right now have zero color; white walls, grey wood flooring, white cabinets, Edison bulbs and a live, laugh, love sign 🤣
It has no "character". The 1700 and 1800s were the days where craftsmen worked their magic creativity, and used beautiful materials to bring joy not austerity to peoples lives.
@@viviannedonnelly233 The very fact that it's the pinnacle example of an architectural style of a specific time period gives it character whether you find it appealing or not.
How about building a glass pyramid on top, filled with tropical trees and plants. An oasis to escape the winter weather?
This is a gorgeous Brutalist masterpiece. The people milling about around it could use some work, though.
I love the city hall! it should be repurposed to a shopping center for the public; imagine it with some
hustle and bustle
This country is far too consumerist. IMHO, there is much more to life than shopping malls.
Whats the jazz musics name?
Only someone who has never studied architecture would say it is ugly. They have no appreciation for its proportions and complex symmetry. It is a landmark structure in so many ways.
People that use “brutal” and “brutalist” as synonyms don’t know the meanings of the words they use.
You are correct. People are basically too lazy to study the proportions and compositional integrity of this building.
Brutalism comes from the art brut movement which basically captures this modernist line of thinking amongst artists that an honest lack of sophistication is both morally and aesthetically superior. That is why brutalist buildings put their building materials on display rather than have facades.
I absolutely LOVE IT!
i like this building. IT'S DIFFERENT. IT'S UNIQUE. IT'S UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE. why should it look like ALL other buildings?!!!.
so shut up people. who cares if you don't like it !.
The whole square looks completely dystopian.
Regardless of the building itself, with the glut of office space downtown, I’d like to see city hall move into a vacant high rise nearby and allow this enormous plaza to be redeveloped into a dense populated residential community.
It was deemed the ugliest building in america. I was born raised in boston beautiful Victorian buildings.
seriously? Add more Bricks??? Sorry I can't help myself.
It puts brutal into brutalist
Trying to find your way around inside, the cold, hard, poorly lighted bewildering layout is allegory to the city government.
Klingon latrine.
It is a monstrosity.
All of those buildings from the 60s, they are so incredibly ugly and dehumanizing. Especially in Boston, couldn't there have been a more open design or point of pride for our history?
Yep - it's just as ugly as the Hurley Building if not more.
Jail House
Gargoyles are not put on the tops of buildings for esthetics, they are rainspouts. None of these people know anything about art to be given the opportunity to criticize it. It's really easy to criticize
Curious about your take on the building?
you are right. Even the rainspouts were so imaginative and decorative. I confess I have a victorian home that down to its door hinges is covered with floral designs etched into the brass.
Some of the gargoyles should look like Dapper O'Neil and Louise Day Hicks