Even the statue is like, Nope!
Is this Brutalism? 
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I’ve never seen it in person, but seeing a picture of Geisel in a discussion like this was actually part of what started turning me around a bit on Brutalism. The fact it is named for Mrs. and Dr. Seuss and somehow manages to reflect that whimsical spirit in a Brutalist building is truly an amazing achievement. I also found out it was used in the first shot of the Simon & Simon opening credits, which I assume will mean as much to everyone else as it meant to me . . . .
By the way, continuing the theme of exteriors reflecting interior use, that is apparently supposed to look like hands holding up a stack of books.
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I say yes.
Typically era (often 1960s), form (geometric, in some cases modular or conformal), material (concrete), lack of artifice and a departure from the familiar.
It really is beautiful.
I am not a fan of most of the buildings I have seen, but this one I really do like.
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Here is a shot with someone doing their best to present Lau dramatically:
It is another good example of a Brutalist building reacting to an older building nearby, in this case the iconic Healy Hall, complete with competing spire (I note I think this photos were taken not very far from each other, with Lauinger just to the left of Healy):
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That is sort of similar to U of Washington. The ugly building in red square is very close to the library (which we loved).
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An article that debates whether the architecture at SFSU is Brutalist or just brutal:
And the Slate article referenced in the article above:
Most of all shown looks brutal to me :).
Ahmed I meant not SFSU but all the pics above.
I was living in Seattle back in the '80s, and the University of Washington used to jokingly refer to its campus architecture as, “Gothic, Brutalist, and Prison-inspired architecture.”
“An article that debates whether the architecture at SFSU is Brutalist or just brutal:”
Now I live 15 minutes south of SF State. It’s amazing how ugly the buildings are on campus.
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Those of us whose departments were in the Humanities Building at the University of Wisconsin used to joke about the irony of working and attending class in a building that seemed to actively thwart humanity. Many of us also suspected that the description of a particular brutalist campus building in Richard Russo’s Straight Man must have been based on the Humanities Building, though of course it could have been been inspired by any number of brutalist campus buildings.
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Here is the “Reg” library at the University of Chicago in the background. I personally love it.
In front is the newer and visually stunning Mansueto library. You might have seen that before; it was used as a set in the “Divergent” movie some years back.
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There’s a fair sprinkling of Brutalism at Northwestern, my alma mater.
University Library:
Rebecca Crown Center (administration building):
Norris University Center (student union):
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The Chicago and Northwestern examples I quite like. Like that IM Pei building at Syracuse, I feel like there are some thoughtful additional elements.
I will, uh, reserve comment on Wisconsin . . . .
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The U Mass-Amhest arts center… I found it difficult to get a picture that conveys this building’s scale. It is awesome, and best appreciated on foot, walking up and being overwhelmed by the mass of it… the second photo is just zoomed in on one section of the building. And the third of the concert hall within it …
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When we toured Sonoma State University, the guide stopped before a building and asked the group what it reminded them of. Someone called out, “A prison!”. The tour guide then informed us that the architect of that building had designed several structures in the California state prison system. Evidently, they found a style they liked and stuck with it.
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I dare say they really nailed the sci fi, Star Wars, futurism side. I think it is cool!
