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The client, with a legacy in pottery, asked for a warm, crafted space that honoured tradition, stayed affordable, and aligned with sustainable values. The brief was simple—no cosmetic finishes, low carbon impact, and a design that “feels made with hands.” Roast & Toast had to be honest, rooted, and inclusive. All materials were reused, regional, or naturally processed. Golden Plaster—made on-site using cow dung, clay, hay, sares, and dye from the Flame of the Forest flower—adds texture, colour, and fragrance. Everything was handcrafted. With a 30-day timeline and a modest budget, the result is a built story of earth, people, and purpose
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The challenge was to reduce embodied and operational carbon emission & honour traditional knowledge while creating a space that resonates with a contemporary audience. Rooted in its urban setting it engages the surroundings through locally sourced materials & handcrafted elements. The café’s golden plaster, made on site with cow dung, clay, hay & natural dye from the Flame of the Forest flower, connects deeply with traditional practices. Reclaimed wood, recycled metal & handmade lighting add layers of craft & context. The material decisions reflect a thoughtful response to place, cost sensitive evoking belonging through regional identity & sensory richness. The café becomes an anchor that adds meaning & material depth through simplicity, restraint & respect for local knowledge.
The entire design and construction followed a 0% carbon approach. Reclaimed wood, furniture, lamps, and tableware were handcrafted by local artisans to support its eco-conscious, contextual narrative. The core material, Golden Plaster, was developed on-site using cow dung, clay, hay, Sares (natural glue), and dye from the Flame of the Forest flower. Cracks in early trials led to on-site refinements, avoiding synthetic pigments. Cow dung with hay and grains is breathable, durable, VOC-free, fragrant, thermally insulating, and improves air quality. Built in 30 days on a tight budget, the project upholds sustainability through intent, resource sensitivity, and tradition, guided by principles of reuse & minimal intervention
Roast & Toast rethinks sustainability using traditional Indian practices, humble materials & a hands-on approach that respects both the environment & local craft. It avoids superficial “green” treatments and instead follows a 0% carbon footprint model that relies on REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE. COW DUNG & CLAY was mixed with the dye extracted from the flower of the kesudo (flame of forest tree), & other organic ingredients like sares – natural glue & hay to birth a glorious golden coloured plaster for the surface hand application on the walls and ceiling. The hay acts as a reinforcement that holds the organic paste preventing it from developing cracks. The kesudo (flame of forest) prevents the original golden colour from fading. The natural fragrance of the paste on the wall & ceiling adds an organic essence, & the colours & textures resonate with the theme. The result is not only replicable, but scalable in different geographies using local variants of these materials and skills. This proves that innovation can come from shifting mindsets not always from invention, but from rediscovery. This project embraces a new way of thinking, connecting with nature to improve health & wellbeing while encouraging local craft & skills, aligned with Biophilic design principles. It invites design to go back to the earth & forward into relevance, it questions the idea that innovation must come from technology, instead offering a material and process-led shift rooted in Indian building wisdom.
As potters (ancestry), we’ve always worked with earth. We wanted the space to reflect the same warmth, honesty, and rootedness. We envisioned a space that echoed our roots—earthy, honest, and crafted with care. The architects brought this vision to life with sensitivity and depth. Roast & Toast feels personal an extension of our story and values.
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
