New Brutalism

Wyndham Court, Southampton.

Built in the late 1960's, this example of (New) Brutalist architecture was given listed status in the late 1990's.

It is very near the railway station in Southampton. When I lived in Southampton in the 1970s this place used to scare the living daylights out of me.

I'm not sure how happy I would be wandering its labyrinth of stairwells and landings today.

All that said, I think it has an ugly, austere beauty to it, and B+W is perfect for it, because it looks no different in colour, apart from the blue door at the bottom of the tower!

Best viewed large to see it in all it's glory.

[Andreas]

I agree Sean, it is ugly, but there is something of the futuristic space age of the 60'ies that somehow is appealing. The dark clouds work well with the building.

[Frank Hymus]

Yes, you get a much better feel "large." The surface textures give it some merit. Not a style that resonates with me. A great descritive shot, however. Nicely captured.

[Ruth Moucharafieh]

Processing and clouds spot on, listed!!-amazing! Perfectly shot and composed.

[🐓 Patricia Fletcher]

The stuff of nightmares! brilliant shot Sean, you have captured its brutality perfectly.

[Fanny Brogden]

What a perfectly dreadful building, guaranteed to depress the residents of Southampton....why did the town planners allow this stuff i wonder? Excellent in b&w

[MaryBeth Dailey]

Interesting to see in a photo, but I would not want to live near that. There are some architechtural sytles from the 60s I like, but mostly interior decorating features I guess. This is a austere and scary!

[Myrna O'Hara]

Ha, this reminds me of a college campus not far from me that was build around that same time probably and is ALL cement!!!!! So weird and ugly.

[Phil]

Next time I make a rotten dinner I must remember to preserve it for posterity..... (This is no reflection on your talents!!)

[Donna]

Looks like a prison in a nearly city...Brutalism, nice to know

[Rosie White-Hlouveraki]

It is ugly. Maybe if it was dressed up in different sized and coloured discs (like the Bullring), it would look absolutely funky!

[Sjouk]

Great shot :-)

[Ross Walker]

Blockhouse architecture. Your photo emphasizes the starkness of this concrete pile.

[Natalie]

After the bomb is dropped - eerie and gloomy

[Cheryl Kreis]

Another really great capture of this old building. Love the Clouds.

[Deni]

I love this stark architecture, caught at a good angle and perfect for b&w

[ladyjane]

Quite an imposing structure. Looks great against that moody sky.

[Janelle]

That is indeed an ugly building. But there is a hint of 60's retro to it. The grey skies etc and grey mood of the photo suit it perfectly

[David]

Ugly yes! Beauty, can't see it, Sean. Listed! - well i suppose one or two examples need preserving if only to remind us how no to do it! I'm not surprised it scared the daylights out of you! Really well photographed, so perfectly composed - preserve it! I keep going back to it - yes, definitely a Fav!

[Humphrey Hippo]

Ha! I recognised this from the thumbnail. Tis ugly, isn't it?
I do wonder how long it will be there. They seem to be trying to gentrify the area.
On the bright side - you found a nice angle to show off its shape (which I think makes it slightly less ugly than the box that is Castle House).

[Al Bailey]

I rather like brutalist architecture - our bus station is a good example of it.
Nice shot :)