This project that follows the aesthetic of brutalist architecture that involves creating a simple, functional home for a small entrepreneurial family with an appreciable creative streak. The client runs a thriving business, but is also an enthusiastic poet, while his son is an avid wildlife photographer.
Brutalist Architecture with a Twist of Modern Design Sensibilities | The Grid Architects
Visit: The Grid Architects
Beton Brut makes a definite visual statement depicting purity of form and intent. Its eye-catching form possesses a softer side: that of contextuality and rootedness to the land and culture. Its narrative builds a relationship between the house and the city; man, and nature — without which architecture is meaningless
The architectural form – Since the plot faces southwest, the garden was placed on the west. Once the floor plan was frozen, the challenge was to control the sunlight coming in from the southwest. Architecturally, this concept was proven by studying the sun’s path. Additionally, the architectural envelope at this point looked too bulky and disproportionate to the scale of the home. To circumvent this, we sliced and staggered the rectangular box, and strategically ‘erased’ the bottom portion of the resultant cantilevered portion to derive the canopy.
The intent -The home had to be built on an approximately 12,000-sq-ft, southwest-facing plot. The primary concern was to ensure a structure that would be protected from the harsh sunlight and heat. This became entwined with the desire to create an abode that reveled in a sense of space — a home that brought the family together but left enough space for the individual personalities to thrive and bloom. This meant we had to ensure places of congregation and places of solitude in the spatial narrative. Additionally, we endeavored to pair enclosed volumes with open areas to amplify this sense of freedom and luxury. We also proposed that the home would mesh the intangible with the tangible — in effect, create diverse experiences within its physical form.
The central idea -The mysterious and alluring visual of an Indian woman protecting her head and face from the sun with the graceful folds of her pallu or odhani became a compelling inspiration when it came to creating a home sheltered from harsh climatic elements. With the decision of creating a pure structure that respected the honesty of materiality, the architectural path was determined as a brutalist one, typified by bare concrete, geometric shapes, a monochrome palette, and a monolithic appearance.
The material palette – The selection is ruled by the honesty and purity that allows the beauty of each material to shine through, unhindered by cosmetic overlays. Grey concrete, the singular and central material, stars both in the architectural and interior narratives. These grey expanses are beautifully textured by timber imprints of the shuttering used to cast the slabs and walls. In the interiors, the building material is joined by sandstone, Kota stone, sunlight, and teakwood (for furniture) to create an environment that is beautifully poised between simplicity and richness.
The first of these is a linear slit-like opening, placed near the wall, that throws light on the beautiful timber textures of the concrete expanse, creating powerful and dramatic visuals. The second is a faceted structure with a cut-out that pours glare-free light into the stairwell and the green court below. Besides this, extensively glazed fenestration throughout the house means that the interior spaces are suffused with the beneficence of sunlight throughout the day. This means that the users while being in the comfort provided by an enclosed space, feel constantly connected to nature through sunlight, green views, and proximity to plantations.
The interior narrative – A simple entrance, sheltering under a concrete canopy, features a three-meter-tall door, scooped outward and embedded with stone. This opens to a long passage with living spaces strung along the left, and culminating, visually, at the backyard wall adorned by patinated sculpture. On the right, a seating arrangement in a vestibule-like space forms the waiting lounge. Take a turn, and the whole inner sanctum unfolds, within visual distance of the central landscaped court: the formal living room, the dining area, and the bedroom of the senior couple. The kitchens (wet and dry) and the store are tucked away in a corner. More bedrooms with ensuite facilities and walk-in dressers lie upstairs. All living spaces are connected to the staggered terraces or gardens, putting the occupants in constant touch with the outside
The plantation -Beton Brut fully leverages the animating freshness of plants both externally and internally. Keeping in mind the region’s largely arid climate, we have put in drought-friendly plants on the terraces as they face southwest. These seasonal and sustainable plants also encourage hummingbirds and butterflies — and thus biodiversity. Trees are positioned strategically so that when they grow, they will protect the house from the southwesterly heat. The indoor plants have been selected to maintain the moisture level in the interiors.
The aesthetic articulation is liberally peppered with Indian elements, softening the gravitas of the concrete envelope. Reclaimed panels and brackets from old Havelis, mandapas, old vessels, and carved panels that depict gods and installations showing hand mudras pour an Indian essence into the home. The most shining example is the jharokha mounted on a soaring living room wall, through which you can glimpse the room from the first floor. The simple, clean-lined furniture does not disturb the architecture and yet is very functional and comfortable.
Fact File
Designed by: The Grid Architects
Project Type: Residence Architecture & Design
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Year Built: 2022
Project Size: 11559 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Snehal Suthar & Bhadri Suthar
Photograph Courtesy: Photographix India
Consultants of the project
Contractor: HN projects, Hariom Thakkar
Engineering: Ravi Engineering Corporation, Milind Mehta
Project Coordination: Vishvajit Hada, Keyur Patel, Ruchik Rathod, Ankita Mevada
Structure: Niyat
Products & Materials: Saint-Gobain, Tata Steel, Astral Pipes, Greenhouse, L&T, Mitsubishi, Shailja, Techtona Grandis
Firm’s Website Link: The Grid Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: The Grid Architects
For Similar Project>>>Reliving the Roman Era with the Minimal Sophistication is this Residence in Vadodara
The planning entails an introverted spatial relationship blurring the boundaries of the eternal world. The dynamic screenplay of light created by the terracotta skin and the funicular slabs on the ceiling enact a sundial. Editor’s Note: A woven tale of intricately detailed façade with the earthy brown amidst the white background of residence strikes as […]
The project vision of this house renovation was a conceptual void, leading to a strategic insertion within the built environment to optimize visual connections with the surrounding landscape. This approach is particularly evident on the ground floor, where the social spaces seamlessly integrate with a meticulously curated patio, offering panoramic vistas of the natural surroundings. […]
A wardrobe is not just a piece of furniture constructed in the house. There are types of wardrobe one builds in the house according to their needs and requirements. Choosing the right type of wardrobe can be a critical task at times. While designing the house, one always thinks about the kind of storage space […]
Compact homes and furniture for small spaces have become today’s trends in designing a home. However, affordability is not the only reason for choosing a compact house with furniture for small spaces. They are also easy to maintain and reflect simplicity in daily life. For furniture for small spaces, their ideas and designs are more […]
Bars are not merely places to grab a drink; they are vibrant social hubs, cultural icons, and embodiments of bar interior design innovation. The ambiance, layout, and aesthetics of a bar interior design play pivotal roles in shaping the overall experience for patrons. Whether you’re embarking on a new venture or seeking to revamp an […]
The goal of The Regional Science Center is to Bring Science to People’s Doorstep, creating top-notch facilities that educate, entertain, and integrate modernity with cultural heritage, embodying the state’s forward-looking approach to science, education, and community engagement. It situates itself in Bhuj city, in the Kutch region of Gujarat state in the north of a hillock known […]
The quest for the best decking material began with wood, but over time, the deck-building realm has evolved with composite, plastic, and aluminium options. Decks are a versatile space in homes, serving various purposes. Some prefer large spaces for outdoor gatherings, while others prefer smaller, tranquil spaces. Decking materials, including pressure-treated lumber, capped composites, and […]
Building a house on a slope in India presents unique challenges due to soil erosion, monsoon rains, seismic activity, and regulations. At the same time, building a house on a slope requires a strong foundation for stability and proper drainage to prevent water accumulation. Various challenges, such as accessibility, are difficult, especially for elderly or […]
Green Bedroom Design ideas are a popular choice in most Indian homes. Whether warm or cool, there are numerous shades of green available that go with any colour. Solid colour or wall paper are great ways to experiment with Green Bedroom Design. At the same time, accents, decor and lighting play a major role in […]
This Compact Elevated House Transends Limits. Large plots are not essential for lavish homes, but a thoughtful space planning can break the limitations of small plots by making it breathable, inviting adequate natural light and ventilation. Editor’s Note: The facade of this residence in Ahmedabad bathes in warm tones of brown and grey with alternate […]