Brutalism

Perception, path dependence and context play funny tricks on us. Looking at the Southbank - that much-loved marvel of Brutalism - and stripping away the art installations, one can see a scene reminiscent of Eastern Bloc architecture, i.e. the thousand variations of a shoebox.

But if we were to examine a building in the East, would we consider it a Brutalist gem, or something just plain ugly?

Anyway, I am reminded that I must do a London tour soon.  Londonist has some good suggestions.