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BRUTONA is a self-initiated experimental installation for Venice Biennale 2025. The brief was to create an architectural expression responding to ecological discourse through form, material & meaning. It explores how raw strength & refinement can coexist at a compact, human scale. The concept began with proportion studies examining balance, symmetry & lightness using UHPC. Through in-house sketches, mock-ups & collaboration with local fabricators, curved geometries, a central spine & tensile cables were tested. The architectural language of BRUTONA is defined by its layered geometry and the integration of tension and balance Each component was developed for dry assembly and disassembly. BRUTONA’s form is designed to move, adapt, regenerate & reflect mindful construction
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BRUTONA stands within the gardens of Palazzo Mora Venice, creating a contemplative presence, inviting ecological consciousness reshaping the perception of concrete through think curved forms that evoke fluidity while maintaining structural integrity. It engages with the historic landscape where layered architectural heritage meets contemporary discourse. Venice becomes a meaningful backdrop for a work that explores longevity, regeneration & repair. Its 6x6 ft footprint ensures minimal impact. Curved UHPC panels & open form blend with the site’s rhythm. It invites spatial reflection, where material, proportion & setting quietly resonate. The audience includes architects, designers, students, curators & the broader public anyone engaging with the future of responsible, regenerative design.
Sustainability & eco consciousness is embedded from concept to execution. BRUTONA uses UHPC (durability & efficiency) for thinner profiles, reducing material volume & weight. Each component is modular, stackable, packable precast designed for disassembly, repair & reuse minimising waste & extending life. No adhesives or finishes were applied. Fabrication was local in Ahmedabad, using controlled water & energy inputs. Packaging was minimal with reused crates. The central vertical pipe is made of mild steel, supporting the tensile network that gives structural tension and visual clarity. Brass rods 18mm diameter at joints enable clean damage-free reassembly. The form is disassemblable, installed in 20 minutes & packed flat lowering transport impact. Components remain exposed & honest
The installation crafted in UHPC, exploring soft brutalism through intersecting curved panels challenges the perception of concrete by evoking lightness, adaptability & structural clarity. Its defining features are rhythm, balance, disassembly, refinement without ornament. Designed & made in India, the project foregrounds material intelligence, modularity & sustainable thinking. It assembles in 20 minutes, creates no excess. its tactile presence invites users to engage intuitively. Using UHPC, BRUTONA reshapes the perception of concrete through thin, curved forms that evoke fluidity while maintaining structural integrity. It engages with soft brutalism—a thoughtful shift from harsh, imposing forms toward a more refined architectural language. The aim was to ensure the form holds itself without dependence on anything temporary. The structure strikes a dynamic balance between concave and convex surfaces. A central pipe anchors tensile cables—adding stability and a contemporary layer to the brutalist foundation. The balance between gravity, symmetry, and the load-bearing curves demonstrates a thoughtful blend of architectural precision and experimental design. Even during display, BRUTONA stands with minimal ground contact, reducing site impact. BRUTONA demonstrates that architecture need not be large to be meaningful. BRUTONA addresses a crucial concern: how can design embrace repair, regeneration, and reuse as core values—without becoming temporary or ornamental
An accomplished concrete technologist and entrepreneur, he envisioned a space that could demonstrate UHPC’s expressive and structural potential. BRUTONA evolved as an architectural installation & material experiment—where rhythm, modularity, and ecological clarity align with regenerative design. It positions concrete as structure, surface, and system—inviting direct engagement through touch, scale, and spatial interaction, grounded in essentialism and architectural precision
Founded in 2002, tHE gRID Architects is a Research based design studio in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, founded by Bhadri Suthar along with her spouse and partner Snehal Suthar. They actively contribute to the design fraternity by serving as visiting faculty and jury members at various architecture and design institutions. Their work reflects a deep sensitivity to human-nature connections, resulting in environments that are meaningful, and guided by ecological awareness. Through research and innovation, they aim to enrich and inspire future generations. The studio works across architecture, interiors, landscapes, and furniture. Their approach draws from vernacular knowledge and engages with contemporary architectural practice. In addition, the studio engages in experimental projects, research and design explorations. The future of architecture lies in empathy, humanity, purpose and a deep connection between people, nature, and the built environment, and collective responsibility.
