What ideas from Le Corbusier’s architecture influenced Brutalism?

Le Corbusier’s later work served as a primary catalyst for the development of Brutalism, a style that emerged in the mid-20th century. His influence on the movement was defined by several key architectural ideas:

• Raw Materials: Le Corbusier’s use of raw, unfinished molded concrete—often referred to as béton brut—became a hallmark of the Brutalist aesthetic, emphasizing a utilitarian and honest approach to construction materials.1
• Monumental Sculptural Forms: He moved away from the polished, glass-and-steel minimalism of contemporaries like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, favoring massive, sculptural shapes and bold, geometric silhouettes that architects later emulated to create powerful visual images.12
• Functionalist Innovation: His designs, such as the Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, introduced functionalist concepts like vertical communities, "skip-stop" elevator systems, and the use of brise-soleil (concrete sunshades) to protect building facades.23
• Austere Expression: Projects like the convent of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Tourette demonstrated a fortress-like austerity that resonated with the Brutalist desire for functionalist principles and a willful avoidance of traditional elegance.12