Our 'Brutal and Beautiful' exhibition takes its name from the term 'New Brutalism', a style coined by English architects Alison and Peter Smithson in 1953.

'Their phrase stood not for chunky concrete but for the use of natural materials honestly expressed, as was first seen in Derek Sugden's house in Watford', says architectural historian Elain Harwood.

This short film features the Grade II listed Sugden House in Watford, Hertfordshire, the Grade II listed Susan Lawrence and Elizabeth Lansbury Schools in London, and the Grade II* listed Balfron Tower in London, designed by architect Ernő Goldfinger.

This is the first of three short films by Alun Bull, James O Davies and Leon Seth about 20th-century listed buildings, written and presented by Elain Harwood (1958–2023).

Elain was a Senior Architectural Investigator at Historic England and worked for us since 1984. She was outstanding in her field, a fierce advocate for twentieth-century architecture and a true heritage champion.

Elain wrote many acclaimed books on her area of specialism, including ‘Space, Hope and Brutalism’ and, more recently, ‘Brutalist Britain’. Her expertise was unrivalled, and she shared it generously with colleagues, the public and her peers through her books, cycling tours, walks and talks. She inspired so many with her enthusiasm for the buildings and places of which she was such a passionate advocate. She will be sorely missed.

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