Simon Phipps
Simon Phipps
Photography | Architecture
Simon Phipps, born in Leeds, is an artist based in London. He is a graduate in sculpture from the Royal College of Art and a renowned photographer of post-war modernist architecture. He is the author of six books: Brutal London, Finding Brutalism, Concrete Poetry: Post-War Modernist Public Art, Brutal North, Brutal Outer London and now Brutal Wales. Finding Brutalism was a winner of the 2018 DAM Architectural Book Award, Brutal London was a finalist for the British Book and Production Awards 2017, and Brutal Outer London was shortlisted for the 2023 Architectural Book Awards. Phipps’s photographic archive can be seen at www.simonphipps.co.uk and for more – Twitter and Instagram @new_brutalism.
BRUTAL WALES / CYMRU FRIWTALAIDD
BRUTAL WALES / CYMRU FRIWTALAIDD
‘Brutal Wales is a treat – both for lovers of brutalist architecture and concrete buildings, but also for history and photography enthusiasts, as it offers an indulgent journey through a series of established and lesser-known Welsh gems of the particular genre.’
WALLPAPER*
‘Phipps’ photography provides a much-needed extensive document of the abundance and richness of an often unfeted and unseen architecture, integral to the hope and social vision that characterised the golden age of Britain’s post-war modernism.’
MARK DURDEN, PROFESSOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES
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‘A collection of powerful architectural photography, including many lesser-known examples of Welsh modernist architecture such as rare internal views of the Trostre steelworks and filmic shots of the undercroft of the George Street Bridge in Newport. Beautifully designed by Marc Jennings with Welsh and English language text throughout.’
WALES ONLINE
‘It is likely that this book will open eyes and minds to a rich and distinctive period of architecture in Wales.’
BUILDING DESIGN
‘Phipps’ volume serves as a reminder of the architectural heritage we must protect.’
AESTHETICA MAGAZINE
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BRUTAL OUTER LONDON
BRUTAL OUTER LONDON
Shortlisted for the 2023 Architectural Book Awards.
‘I love this book.’
BBC Radio London Robert Elms
‘The modernist ambition, scale and structure of these buildings are starkly rendered in [Phipps’] acclaimed photographs.’
I-M Intelligent Magazine
‘The book awakens a curiosity in the subject in a most satisfying way by celebrating and cataloguing an oft-derided and omnipresent architectural style.’
The London Society
BRUTAL NORTH: POST-WAR MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
BRUTAL NORTH: POST-WAR MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
‘Captures the most aspirational and enlightened architecture of the north’s postwar years.’
Guardian
‘An excellent and very thorough study of the many Brutalist sites in the north. Full details of location, architect etc make it an invaluable handbook for the enthusiast.’
Mike
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‘Living in Sheffield I have grown up with brutalist buildings. I always think they get a bad reputation, but I have always loved the practicality and form of brutalist architecture. This book is a great collection of some of the best brutalist buildings in the North.’
James
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CONCRETE POETRY: POST-WAR MODERNIST PUBLIC ART
CONCRETE POETRY: POST-WAR MODERNIST PUBLIC ART
‘It’s an absolute beauty that’ll get you going for a look about at angular concrete lumps in squares. A masterclass in book design too.’
Simon Armstrong, Tate
‘Filled with Phipps’ distinctive photographic compositions, this is a richly produced tome.’
Wallpaper*
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‘Gems of British Brutalism and Modernism are under threat from time and tide, as much as the wrecking ball – luckily, photographer Simon Phipps has been documenting these harsh beauties for his book, Concrete Poetry . . . From the Denys Wilkinson Building to the Blackwall Tunnel’s ventilation shafts, the UK is studded with post-war concrete odes to a better tomorrow. For those of us who don’t have the time to trot around the country, ticking these pioneering structures off their list, Phipps’ book is an essential coffee-table tour.’
Wired
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BRUTAL LONDON
BRUTAL LONDON
Finalist for the British Book and Production Awards 2017.
‘Brutalism is back in vogue … Now we’ve come to love the iconic, it’s time to explore further deeper.’
Londonist
‘In his new book Brutal London, Mr Phipps expounds upon his clear passion for brutalist architecture, in a collection of his own black-and-white shots of such properties as the Thamesmead development in London (where Mr Stanley Kubrick shot many scenes of his 1971 film A Clockwork Orange) and the Barbican Centre, as well as many under-appreciated properties such as Robin Hood Gardens in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, or the Cotton Gardens estate in Kennington, Lambeth. The book, arranged in boroughs with accompanying maps, functions as something of a walking guide to London’s best brutalist buildings, accompanied by thoughtful notes that offer convincing, and somewhat romantic interpretations of these buildings’ austere geometry and physical narratives.’
Mr Porter
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