Concrete and Code

Concrete and Code is a publication that traces the history and philosophy of Brutalist architecture while confronting a contemporary condition: the overload of information. It positions Brutalism not as a relic of the post-war era, but as a visual and conceptual framework that resonates with today’s digital environment.

Brutalism emerged in a period of reconstruction, defined by bold geometric forms and the unapologetic use of raw concrete. It addressed a world in urgent need of renewal, clarity, and structural honesty. Today, that same visual language finds an unexpected counterpart in the web: an ecosystem saturated with data, fragmentation, and continuous input—a kind of digital Brutalism, unfiltered and excessive in its own right.

At the core of Brutalist architecture lies material honesty. Concrete is not disguised; it is exposed, heavy, and direct. This rawness becomes a form of expression in itself—austere yet emotional, rigid yet human. To translate this sensibility into physical form, the cover adopts a tactile approach: a constructed surface of white glue and newspaper, layered and spray-painted to evoke the texture of raw concrete.

The book cover itself is produced in uncoated cardboard, left deliberately unrefined. Embossing introduces a subtle, concrete-like relief, while the exposed binding reveals the structure of the object, refusing concealment in favor of openness. The book becomes not just a container of content, but an architectural object in its own right.

Typography follows a modular system, with numerals inspired by Brutalist form languages. Geometric reduction and structural clarity define the typeface, echoing the architectural principles it references — an alphabet reduced to its most honest spatial expression.

Narratively, the book unfolds through photography. Black-and-white imagery establishes a post-war atmosphere of restraint and documentation. As the narrative shifts toward digital technology and the continued influence of Brutalism on contemporary artists, color gradually enters the visual field—signaling not just a temporal transition, but a shift in perception, intensity, and medium.

Concrete and Code

Art Director: Shengjie Wu
Designer: Shengjie Wu
Photographer: Chia-Yu Liu

More informations can be found here.