I grew up in southeast London and there's a lot of brutalist architecture.

Kate Herron’s quote — “I grew up in southeast London and there’s a lot of brutalist architecture.” — reflects a formative connection between her personal upbringing and the built environment that surrounded her. By highlighting brutalist architecture, Herron draws attention to a style known for its raw concrete, geometric forms, and uncompromising aesthetics, often found in post-war urban developments across cities like London. This type of architecture, while polarizing, is a defining feature of many public housing estates, government buildings, and cultural centers in the UK.

Growing up in southeast London, Herron would have encountered numerous examples of brutalist design, such as housing complexes, civic buildings, or transport infrastructure. These structures, often built during the 1950s–1970s, were meant to represent modernity, functionality, and a socialist vision of equal access to space and services. While some see brutalism as cold or imposing, others—like Herron—may view it as part of the visual and emotional landscape of home and identity.

As a filmmaker, Herron's background in such a visually distinct setting may have influenced her aesthetic sensibilities, especially in her work on shows like Loki, where architectural atmosphere plays a key role in world-building. Her familiarity with brutalist forms might inspire an appreciation for monolithic, surreal, or structured environments, which often appear in science fiction and dystopian storytelling. These environments carry a psychological weight, evoking feelings of order, oppression, or institutional power—all themes relevant to her narrative style.

Ultimately, the quote serves as a simple but meaningful acknowledgment of how place shapes perspective. Herron’s exposure to brutalist architecture in her youth doesn’t just describe her environment—it hints at a deeper engagement with space, mood, and design, all of which contribute to the visual storytelling she brings to her work.