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
Brick houses have been a cornerstone of architecture for centuries, celebrated for their durability, aesthetic versatility, and timeless appeal. In modern design, architects continue to explore innovative ways to incorporate brick into residential spaces, blending traditional materials with contemporary needs. While the design of each brick house is unique, there are several ways to incorporate […]
Nestled in the serene embrace of a quiet residential colony, Charcoal Charm stands as a testament to modern architecture home innovation, seamlessly blending with its surroundings. Designed for a prominent businessman’s family, this 4BHK residence not only caters to the family’s need for privacy and comfort but also provides a rejuvenating retreat from the bustling […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]
The initial impression of this contemporary residence design is one of striking visual interplay, where bold architectural gestures redefine conventional aesthetics. A diagonally laid brick veil, its textured surface meticulously arranged to capture the shifting light throughout the day, becomes a dynamic façade element, casting ever-changing shadows that animate the exterior. Editor’s Note: “The yellow […]
Namana is an east-facing home situated on a compact 60’x50’ plot beside a serene vineyard. Designed for a family of three, the single-story residence emphasizes spatial fluidity, natural illumination, and a tactile material palette that evokes warmth and simplicity. Editor’s Note: “Namana, a quiet dialogue between light, material, and space, is a home that listens […]
“We want a modern oasis to retire to with our little boys on the weekends” was a brief given to us by our clients who are busy medical professionals with a very hectic life in the city. Inspired by the essence of prairie-style homes, the couple wished to cherish and recreate their favourite moments from […]
AADHYA is a thoughtfully designed three-bedroom home for a family of three, blending introverted and extroverted spaces in harmony. This modern tropical house design goes beyond mere functionality to become a sanctuary where design elements tell personal stories. With reclaimed terracotta roofing, exposed cement, and brick walls, the residence fosters a tactile connection to its […]
Nestled between the bustling residential and industrial edges of Bengaluru, Ihita stands as a bold architectural statement, embodying a harmonious blend of traditional Indian house design and modernity. The home challenges conventional urban residential design by prioritizing openness, natural light, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Through the strategic use of large […]
Architecture is a field that is wider than the construction of a single building; it represents culture, history, and human aspirations. From the ancient wonderlands of Bhutan to contemporary ones like Morphogenesis, architecture narrates tales of innovation, perseverance, and change. Whether you are a practicing architect, a student, or an enthusiast in quest of inspiration, […]
This rustic farmhouse for a family aims at re-defining tradition to blend in modern thought. Make it contemporary but traditional, was a brief given to the Architect by the client to redesign and build a century-old farmhouse sprawling across 3500 square feet on a 3-acre site in Morbe, Panvel. Editor’s Note: The redesigning of this […]