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Show HN: Brutalist Concrete Laptop Stand (2024)

sam-burns.com

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Re: Show HN: Brutalist Concrete Laptop Stand (2024)

#11

Post by gcr »

If you like brutalism, you might also enjoy the Quake Brutalist Map Jam 3, which released last month: https://www.slipseer.com/index.php?resources/quake-brutalist...

My favorite map is ‘One Need Not Be a House’ by Robert Yang, which was inspired by Louis Kahn's "brick brutalism" masterpieces in Bangladesh and India, as well as contemporary level design like The Silent Cartographer. The artist writes about their process on their blog post, https://www.blog.radiator.debacle.us/2026/01/one-need-not-be...

The map jam is standalone and uses custom assets so you don’t need a copy of Quake to enjoy it. Check the website for the ‘standalone’ variant.

Sorry for derailing! Cool laptop stand!

Re: Show HN: Brutalist Concrete Laptop Stand (2024)

#12

Post by HPsquared »

ramon156 wrote: post #5
jb1991 wrote: post #4

There are some subtly weak desks out there, quite a few actually, where placing this on top could be brutal.

Next up: Brutalist desk

There are some subtly weak floors out there, where placing such a desk could be fatal.

Re: Show HN: Brutalist Concrete Laptop Stand (2024)

#13

Post by seeeeebt »

tokai wrote: post #10

Isn't the ornamental 'urban decay' detail kinda the opposite of the utilitarian and functional style of brutalism?

Yes, Sam is probably just having a bit of fun here, but I think it's worth presenting brutalism correctly as it's often so misunderstood.

Concrete is simply the mass production medium of the time, many of the patterns and moulds used in Barbican for example feature pretty timber imprints, scalloping patterns, painstakingly pick-hammered textured panels, or pleasing swooping shapes.

Further there is always space for glass, brass, Terrazzo and lighting.

Sam's design does feel cold, unnatural and broken, definitely not what brutalist living is about.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2016/feb/22...

https://www.structuralrenovations.co.uk/portfolio/barbican-e...

https://www.barbicanliving.co.uk/barbican-story/construction...

Re: Show HN: Brutalist Concrete Laptop Stand (2024)

#15

Post by jesse_faden »

bpavuk wrote: post #6

if we give it a little more polish, colder/greyer tones and "newness," it would fit very nicely for a Control fan :) EDIT: https://store.steampowered.com/app/870780/Control_Ultimate_E...

as a control fan, i agree. the art direction in that game is something else.

Re: Show HN: Brutalist Concrete Laptop Stand (2024)

#16

Post by sam-bee »

xpe wrote: post #7

Also known as an inertial mass dampener for your sit-stand desk. I appreciate++ the design except for the too-perfect rebar and the exposed wire directly _in_ the concrete. Pros would use a conduit methinks.

The conduit is a good idea. I'm working on a Raspberry Pi stand in leather and walnut right now. Think I'm going to incorporate that somehow

Re: Show HN: Brutalist Concrete Laptop Stand (2024)

#18

Post by pjc50 »

ramon156 wrote: post #5
jb1991 wrote: post #4

There are some subtly weak desks out there, quite a few actually, where placing this on top could be brutal.

Next up: Brutalist desk

I've seen quite a few blog posts of "old door on breeze blocks", the canonical brutalist/abandoned warehouse desk.

Re: Show HN: Brutalist Concrete Laptop Stand (2024)

#20

Post by BariumBlue »

tokai wrote: post #10

Isn't the ornamental 'urban decay' detail kinda the opposite of the utilitarian and functional style of brutalism?

Yes I had the same thought.

Imo brutalism is monolithic and unyielding. This is opposite, with the sturdy concrete yielding into plant overgrowth and exposed rebar.

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