Concrete, mon amour

Once hailed as icons of radical experimentation and creative ambition, the concrete structures of the mid-to-late 20th century, which have become a defining subject of Stefano Perego’s photographic exploration, continue to stir both admiration and debate. Through the scope of his lens, Perego invites readers to reflect on the era that has shaped these relics of visionary modernism and the ideals they embody.

Whether celebrated landmarks or forgotten outliers, enduring symbols of artistic ingenuity or imposing expressions of misappropriated power, Concrete, mon amour unpacks the intricate narratives embedded in these architectural giants. It considers their paradoxical nature: raw yet deliberate, unadorned yet unapologetically evocative.

By capturing their permanence in diverse settings—urban or remote, pristine or weathered—this book compels a deeper interrogation into what sustains their continued relevance—their sheer monumentality, the audacity of their forms, or the honesty of their materials. Ultimately, the significance of these once-revolutionary visions lies not in answers but in the questions they leave behind.

Stefano Perego is a Milan-based architectural photographer renowned for exploring European modernist, brutalist, and postmodern structures. Celebrated for his ability to portray both the monumental and the intimate, Perego’s work invites thoughtful reflection on the ideals and contradictions inherent in modernism’s impact on the built environment.