Print exclusive: Brutal and beautiful

Neem trees anchor this Brutalist home by Studio Saransh

03 May 2025

The common perception about Brutalism is that it is harsh and cold. Let’s be honest, the stark aesthetic and emphasis on raw textures may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, MS House, a family home designed by Studio Saransh, an Ahmedabad based design studio is an anomaly. Crafted to converge the rigour of Brutalism with fluid organic forms, this family home of one of the principal designers, Kaveesha Shah, feels, well, homely.

The idea of exploring reinforced cement concrete (RCC) also allowed the design to preserve the nine neem trees that surround the plot — a key request from the family. “The use of RCC made it possible to incorporate massive windows into the structure. It really opened up the house to views of these trees from every room. But despite the openness, it still feels protected and private, like you are always in the embrace of these trees. It’s a paradox but that’s the most amazing part of the architecture,” explains Kaveesha.

"MS House unapologetically embraces both its hard and soft personalities, playfully defying the stoic and rugged demeanour often associated with Brutalism." — Kaveesha Shah

MS House in Ahmedabad unapologetically embraces both its hard and soft personalities, playfully defying the stoic and rugged demeanour often associated with Brutalism. “In urban homes it’s very rare to get a context of trees. So we had a lot of fun planning the home in relation to these existing trees. For example, the entrance is thoughtfully placed beneath a sweeping branch, the dining deck under the canopy of a large tree, and another one gracefully pierces the compound wall,” says Malay Doshi, also the principal architect at Studio Saransh.

Ahmedabad has a rich history of Brutalist architecture, influenced by the works of Le Corbusier and B.V. Doshi. This connection feels organic, given Brutalism’s legacy in the city. Popular from the 1950s to the mid-70s, most Brutalist structures were institutionally commissioned — schools, churches, public housing, and government buildings. The style emerged after World War II when architects sought to create structures that were both monumental and highly functional. Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, which highlighted the raw beauty of materials like concrete, brick and timber, is believed to have pioneered the movement.

In the living room is the Arco lamp from Flos, Sayed Raza’s serigraphs sourced from Archer Gallery, a wooden center table by Studio Saransh and sofas from Poshway; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

In the study room overlooking a verdant view, the receeding daylight lends a warm glow to the Valsadi teakwood furniture; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

The thing worth noting about MS House is its architecture which is monumental, yet feels weightless. The journey starts at a dramatic vestibule punctuated with square openings. It infuses the austere passage with life, especially when the dappled sunlight dances and creates intricate patterns on the walls and the floor. Up next is a jaw dropping, double height dining area with a bespoke marble console. This is undoubtedly the heart of the house. Family meals come to life in the dining area which opens out to a sit out with views of a magnificent neem tree. The space faces east which means an abundance of morning sun. Come evenings the pendant lights create a warm ambience that highlights the natural beauty of the surrounding foliage. Upstairs is a study area and three bedrooms.

What’s interesting is the unique way in which the design connects each space with the trees outside. While the master bedroom directly above the living room boasts a shaded balcony with tree-filled vistas, the daughter’s bedroom tucked away in the quieter rear part is decked out with views of the serene backyard. A luxurious glass-enclosed terrace with stunning views of the setting sun provides the perfect finale to this house.

RCC structure enabled massive windows, opening every room to tree-lined views while maintaining a sense of protection and privacy; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

In the living room, a suspended lamp designed in collaboration with Andlabs crowns the iconic Eames chair sourced from Poshway. Tucked away in the background is the dining area; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

While the family is interested in minimalism, they’re also fascinated by whimsy. Irreverent accents like the dreamy pendant light dramatically punctuate the otherwise muted space with elegance and breaks against the hard, cold concrete. Likewise, rugs in abstract green bring opulence to a dazzlingly new height. Many of the art pieces at MS House were acquired by the family during their travels. To these Saransh Studio added serigraphs and decadent fabrics which inject colour and vitality throughout — truly bringing the space to life. Other materials like terrazzo and kota provide a visual richness while also letting the beauty of the setting take centre stage.

In the bedrooms the wooden cladding on wardrobes create a perfect encapsulation of the home’s structural and decorative elements speaking to one another, creating a synergy between the hard and the soft, the minimal and patterned, smooth and tactile elements. The landscaping further dissolves the boundaries between nature and architecture. While verdant views of the neem trees form the backdrop of almost every room, a serene water body at the entrance reflects the blue sky and creepers dance on the terrace walls. You can’t help but notice the obvious beauty in the rigid geometry and unpretentious simplicity.