Off-the-Grid: Brutalist Penthouse Apartment in Surat, India by DOT.

The 2023 completion of the “Off-the-Grid” penthouse by DOT blends functionality with an elevated minimalist aesthetic. Spanning 650 square meters, this residential project occupies the 11th floor of a building in Surat, Gujarat, India.

As one arrives, the softly lit entrance foyer with bright artwork against a neutral grey wall and a contrasting black terrazzo floor set a welcoming tone. The grand timber door with its intricate carved handle is a tactile invitation to enter. Inside, the journey begins with a straight timber wall leading to a captivating curved cast-in-situ concrete plane, directing the gaze towards a naturally lit living room and a landscaped balcony. “We wanted to create a sense of fluidity and openness,” note principal architects Krishna Mistry and Anand Jariwala, “allowing natural light to permeate every corner of the space.”

The living room, encapsulated by three curved concrete walls, maintains an unaltered layout that ensures no inserts touch the peripheral walls or ceiling. This design choice accentuates the apartment’s linear expanse and allows for a seamless flow of light and air. Despite delivering plenty of visual drama, this is an environment devoid of dark corners.

As one moves from the living room to the dining area, a subtle step-up signals the transition to a more private part of the home. The dining area, with its southern window and double-height staircase to the terrace on the north, is designed to combat the harsh southern light. The inclusion of a skylight and a green pocket adds a touch of the outdoors, fostering a feeling of dining within a landscape. The monochromatic palette is warmed by timber elements and bright red accents in the kitchen and dining table.

Plain Ties House in Surat, India by Matharoo Associates.

Plain Ties is named for the simple connections and relationships that hold the building together. The home uses concrete quite poetically while sculpting and layering the façade to allow it to resemble a cubic masterpiece.

The curved concrete staircase serves as both a functional and spiritual element. It leads to the terrace while also housing a place of worship and a cosy reading nook underneath. “The staircase was designed to be more than just a means of vertical circulation,” explains Anand Jariwala. “It’s a space for reflection and connection.”

The material palette—bare slabs, fair-finished curved concrete walls, teak partitions, handmade IPS walls, and terrazzo floors—is carefully chosen to evoke a sense of minimalism, consistency, and connection to nature. The design employs a grid for the flooring, harmoniously connecting with the exposed beam grid in the ceiling and skylights, thus extending the relationship between the landscaped terrace and the lower floor. This overlay of multiple grids creates a cohesive yet off-the-grid living experience.

A Monolithic Jewellery Boutique in Ahmedabad by R+R Architects & Apical Reform.

The drama of this jewellery boutique in Ahmedabad lies in its simple palette and repeated elements, creating a theatrical interior that guides customers on an immersive experience. The fluid design draws visitors in without overpowering the delicate jewels inside.

[Images courtesy of DOT. Photography by Ishita Sitwala.]