There is a large and interesting literature on brutalism if one wants to take the time to look into it. One of the progenitors of the movement, Le Corbusier (yes, a cheese eating surrender monkey) focused on the natural look of the concrete after the forms are taken away, and how it preserves the grain of the wood that the forms were built of. There are many people who love brutalist architecture, and there are some admittedly stunning designs. However, it all depends on how it is carried out. Some of it is inspiring, but most of it is soul-crushing.

Le Corbusier is himself an interesting case study. He hated traditional architecture, called houses "a machine for living in," and wanted to tear down parts of Paris and build a series of identical tower blocks, like "The Projects." Fortunately, he didn't get his way with Paris.