This ‘crinkle-cut’ concrete landmark in Birmingham is officially one of Britain’s greatest brutalist buildings

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The brutalist movement often gets a bad wrap as some sort of architectural terrorism. It’s been called all sorts, from an ‘eyesore’ to a ‘monstrosity’ and a lot of worse words than that. But there’s beauty in this post-war style of blocky, raw concrete—from the Barbican Estate in London to Geisel Library in California.

Birmingham itself is a jumble sale of architectural designs. Be it the Jacobean-style Aston Hall, the classical revival of Birmingham Town Hall, St. Philip’s Cathedral in Baroque style or the modernism of the Selfidges Building. But brutalism has played its role here too—most notably the former Birmingham Central Library.

Like a lot of brutalist buildings in Birmingham, the Moseley born artciect, John Madin’s masterpiece is now gone, while others face demolition in the future (say farewell to The Ringway Centre soon). But there are still many more, like Spaghetti Junction, the Rep Theatre and the Rotunda, that capture our imaginations daily. 

One such building, in fact, has been named among Britain’s 10 greatest brutalist buildings by the Telegraph, and it’s not one you’ll find many speaking about daily. Birmingham Power Signal Box on Brunel Street officially opened in July 1966 and directed thousands of trains a day until it closed in 2022.

While the technology inside the Grade II listed building couldn’t keep up with the modern day, its importance as a city centre landmark cannot be replaced. Still in the hands of National Rail, Historic England describes it as “a dramatic building of exceptional architectural quality with a strongly sculptural form.”

The Telegraph, which ranked Birmingham Power Signal Box seventh among Britain’s greatest brutalist buildings, described it as an “eye-catching construction” that “shines”. Ending on the note, “What does that crinkle-cut exterior make you think of? For me, it can only be my grandma’s fancy chips ready to be served with steak.”

Britain’s greatest brutalist buildings

1. High Point, Bradford
2. The Barbican, London
3. Preston Bus Station
4. UEA, Norwich
5. Glasgow School of Art and Hunterian Art Gallery, Glasgow
6. Clifton Cathedral, Bristol
7. New Street Signal Box, Birmingham
8. Norco House, Aberdeen
9. Bernat Klein Studio, Selkirk
10. Trellick Tower and Balfron Tower, London

To read more about Britain’s greatest brutalist buildings, head here.