For anybody that, like me, never understood how anyone could see any value in Brutalism, I can highly recommend having a wander around the Barbican Estate if you ever get a chance.
Brutalism became associated with cheaply built, rapidly decaying bare concrete hellholes, but the Barbican was an aspirational development and remains so to this day. It's a remarkable place - huge, unique and endlessly explorable.
I find it amazing but frustrating to no end that this much thought went into good design all that years ago, and it hasn't become absolutely standard to do so, like with the three-point seatbelt.
In my (rented) kitchen, the dishwasher is next to the refrigerator, which both manufacturers advise you against.
The cupboard panels are glossy and face South, so during most sunshine hours, you are slightly blinded by reflections, and can see every single speck of dirt and grease on them.
Some of the cupboards don't have handles, instead open by spring when pressing one corner of their door - which only works reliably within an area of around 2cm x 2cm, otherwise they just jiggle in place.
> "where middle and upper income groups are concerned ... the tendency to entertain without the help of servants, greatly influenced the design of the kitchens ..."
compare 1960: Is [Chatterley] a book that you would even wish your wife or your servants to read?
More info: https://www.barbicanliving.co.uk/flats/rooms-and-features-2/...
Photo: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/69383650494817609/
*a Brutalist housing complex of 2,000 units in London