Domestic Brutalism of Villa Gontero — Can an Interior Remain Convenient Under Structural Bluntness?

How far does brutalism shape comfort in interior | Arch-essay

Since brutalism was born in the postwar period in the UK, raging a new movement that gained skepticism at first but has gradually gained appreciation lately. Its influence on other areas like Europe, especially in France and Italy, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The unique taste of brutalism in architecture is way more like crafting a sculpture then turning it into a building. ‘Brutalism’ derives from the French word brut — ‘raw concrete’.It’s followed by exposed materials like raw concrete, steel, glass and unfinished surfaces. It’s wrapped under the tag, ‘Structure, Form, Material before Function’. But it always follows the question: Is it convenient for living in a spatial language that is dominated by structural exposure over comfort?

“Those who do not take risks are either imitating or repeating. If they want to invade a new field, they must tackle the unknown.” — Sergio Musmeci

Villa Gontero, created by Carlo Graffi and Sergio Musmeci in 1965-1971. It was a bold and experimental form for residential design with a single body in exposed reinforced concrete and Vibrapac blocks.

Brutalism is often used in large-scale or public projects, such as churches, office buildings, and stadiums. Perhaps it is Brutalism’s ability to shape geometry in ways that evoke emotion that makes it well-suited for the qualities of solemn and monumental spaces. For example, like the National Temple to Mary, Mother, and Queen in Trieste, also designed by Sergio Musmeci with Antonio Guacci.

Both the facade and interior are disguised by hexagonal concrete with an ‘M’ module evoking the memory of Mary. The design is simple but unique, with a divided mass of different liturgical halls. With the key element of classic raw concrete with a minimum decoration, the church serves a sense of the sacred through the shifting patterns of sunlight and shadow that move across its mass.

That conveyed the difference between monumental brutalism and residential brutalism. Because mostly the essence you wanna display about a house is not how big and spiritually sacred, but comfortable and convenient for daily use. How far does Brutalism accommodate?

A central concrete column confined the staircase, with a large cantilever flying above the pool. It’s a bold move of overhang concrete in the structure. At another point, there is a canopy made of reinforced concrete, featuring a rectangular grid shape. It cannot really be called a “functional canopy,” as it is not fully covered skin.

The actual interior of the house is unexpectedly clean, symmetrical, and minimalist, with repeating patterns and a restrained palette of white and red. Contrasting sharply with its raw Brutalist exterior, the interior of the house features lower ceilings and a more intimate scale, creating a sense of warmth and domesticity. Unlike the monumental and imposing exterior, the interior emphasizes functionality and comfort, with spaces designed for everyday living rather than for dramatic sacred architectural effect.

The plan of Villa Gontero —

In conclusion, Villa Gontero exemplifies how Brutalist architecture can balance monumental, raw exterior forms with intimate, functional interiors. While the exterior asserts weight, geometry, and naked material, the interior prioritizes comfort, low ceilings, and minimalism, creating a homey environment. This contrast demonstrates Brutalism’s flexibility: The juxtaposition between exterior boldness and interior warmth illustrates how Brutalist design can adapt to both expressive and domestic purposes.

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Semarang, 24/10/2025