Shoe cleaner Upcycle Project with Brutalist Aesthetic – Post 2

I plan on building a portable and ergonomic shoe cleaner out of recycled materials. I intend to create this project with the intentions of following a brutalist aesthetic.

Brutalist Aesthetics emerged in the mid 20th century from the UK in efforts to reconstruct bombed cities from the second world war. A notable example in which we are all familiar with of brutalist architecture is the Engineering center at CU Boulder. Brutalist architecture typically utilize very angular geometries in succession or repetition. Additionally, brutalist architecture is not very “warm”, as it utilizes monochromatic colors of typically beiges, greys, browns, and black. Due to the uniqueness, Brutalist is often very controversial due to blocky buildings and nearly dystopian style buildings. Below will be some examples of brutalist architecture:

As noted from the above examples, brutalism utilizes very sharp shapes with very little fluidity and relies on harsh angles to spark interest of those viewing it.

While I will not be utilizing concrete or glass in order to construct my portable shoe cleaner, various different pieces of recycled metals will not only give the monochromatic aesthetic, but will also give the ability to build a rigid frame for my shoe cleaner.

The above picture is a piece of recycled steel I was able to acquire from the ITLL. The simplicity of the y-shape allows for the angular distinction that can be found in brutalist architecture and aesthetics. The color, a greyish-black, will be vital to ensuring I can build a monochromatic shoe cleaner. I plan for the steel to be oriented as it is in the provided picture, to where it can be placed on the ground and the user can scrub their feet on a steel brush or some other bristle. The holes located on the bottom side may also be utilized to insert stakes through. This would ensure stability of the cleaner while using it and could be placed in a garden or other outdoor setting where the stakes may be inserted into the dirt.

The above steel brush utilizes steel bristles that would absolutely match the piece of steel I already acquired. The issue is that when it comes to utilizing a recycled material, I have to make do with whatever comes by. If anyone has any clue as to where to come by such content, please inform me in the comments below.

A major constraint in the design is that the y-shaped steel is fairly narrow and many shoes would be too wide to use it as is if bristle was located perfectly vertical on the sides. An alternative to this is to flare out the sides and I believe this would best align with the brutalist aesthetic due to the angular geometry it would provide.

Another issue is that the piece struggles to remain stable, especially if a force is applied on the top half. The previously mentioned stakes would solve this but only if the cleaner is placed in a ground that the user is willing to stake through. I hope to construct supports that are symmetric on each side. Preferably, a repetitive pattern with various right angles in a sort of a starfish configuration would best seek out the brutalist aesthetic.

Content Citing:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/brutalist-architecture-101

Image Citing:

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1991/Shoe-Boot-Scrapers/Mud-Chucker?pricode=WA9318&gadtype=pla&id=H-1991&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAneK8BhAVEiwAoy2HYakGvkeeo5fiZxMiZoMio_9qycvX-R40to5P4k2tm1boG6VU2YIBohoC3nIQAvD_BwE

https://bluecrowmedia.com/blogs/news/brutalist-architecture-in-london-today

https://www.gq.com/story/9-brutalist-wonders-of-the-architecture-world