atrey and associates’ brutalist home pairs climatic intelligence with material honesty

Atrey and Associates’ Delhi Residence: Climatic Intelligence and Sculptural Form

The Nadhyavart Residence in Delhi, designed by Atrey and Associates, mixes climatic intelligence, material honesty, and spatial refinement within brutalist architecture. The home integrates passive design strategies, calibrated geometries, and craft-driven detailings all packaged within a sweeping, curvilinear concrete mass. This bold, texturally raw and strong form is contrasted by a terracotta brick screen, which introduces warmth and rhythm. Designed with a perforated jaali-inspired pattern, this screen functions as a breathable skin, modulating sunlight and casting dynamic shadows to balance high performance with crafted, sensory experience.

the Nadhyavart Residence in Delhi, India, designed by Atrey and Associates

All images courtes of Atrey and Associates

Studio Philosophy and Architectural Intent

Atrey and Associates, led by Ar. Arun Sharma, creates spatial experiences by treating architecture as a dialogue between people, nature, and structure. Every project is considers their philosophies: human-centered design, intelligent luxury, sustainability as a mindset, nature-positive architecture, detail-driven precision, creative boldness, and commitment to quality. The Nadhyavart Residence exemplifies this approach by balancing sensitivity, innovation, and craft, resulting in architecture that is purposeful, ecologically conscious, and deeply connected to the users’ experience.

the bold, texturally raw and strong material is shaped as a sweeping, curvilinear concrete mass

The home’s exterior design is defined by a rigorous material dialogue. The smooth, cool solidity of the curvilinear concrete is juxtaposed against the tactile vibrancy of the patterned brickwork and the industrial refinement of ribbed metal cladding. This textural palette balances rough and polished, warm and cool to spatially create tension and controlled dynamism. From the top, the cantilevered upper curve appears structurally bold and almost weightless. Then, at closer inspection, the perforated brick screen and the dramatic shadows, cast by the sculptural surfaces, reveal the architecture’s layered geometry. This highlights the project’s consistent commitment to material honesty and dynamic forms.

the interior is centered around an open-to-sky void, a vertical shaft that draws natural daylight deep inside

Inside, the design prioritizes spatial expression through light, curvature, and crafted materiality. The layout is centered around an open-to-sky void, a vertical shaft that draws natural daylight deep into the interiors. This void animates the space and makes the passage of time perceptible for inhabitants. Circulation is treated sculpturally, notably with a gracefully curved staircase ascending through the space, softened by timber detailing against the surrounding concrete. Internal glass openings are used throughout, creating a visual continuity and vertical layering that ensures different levels engage with one another. The result is minimalist luxury, pairing dark marble and warm timber with subtle, concealed lighting to maintain an understated yet premium atmosphere.

a minimalist luxury is realized by pairing dark marble and warm timber with subtle, concealed lighting

The studio continues the design’s language of quiet luxury and material harmony into the private areas. The bathrooms embrace an introspective and calm tone, defined by soft curves, stone surfaces, and framed views of nature. Similarly, the bedrooms feature large windows to bring in garden views and daylight. A semicircular backlit feature wall functions as both sculpture and an ambient light source. The spaces create a feeling of a private retreat, promoting restfulness from the fast-paced city life in Delhi.

the design’s language of quiet luxury and material harmony into the private areas

In the living areas, the design seamlessly merges interior and exterior. Long wooden ceiling panels visually extend onto the terrace, dissolving the boundary and enhancing horizontal flow. Materials like dark marble, sculptural furniture, and warm timber create a cohesive palette that echoes the adjoining garden, while large sliding glass partitions draw daylight inward. On the rooftop, the architecture turns outward. Circular pergola frames create rhythmic portals, defining the rooftop garden as a serene oasis where greenery softens the urban backdrop, completing the home’s biophilic integration and experiential richness.

materials like dark marble, sculptural furniture, and warm timber create a cohesive palette

the bathrooms embrace an introspective, calm tone defined by soft curves, stone surfaces, and views of nature

a semicircular backlit feature wall functions as both sculpture and an ambient light source

the bedrooms also feature large windows to bring in garden views and daylight

the spaces create a feeling of a private retreat, promoting restfulness from the fast-paced city life in Delhi

Atrey and Associates, led by Ar. Arun Sharma (pictured here), was established in 1997

project info:

project name: Nadhyavart Residence

project size: 11250 sq. ft.

location: Delhi, India

site area: 11250 Sq. Ft.

design studio: Atrey and Associates

design team: Ar. Arun Sharma, Neetu, Kamini, Jitendra, Vertika, Bijender

The post atrey and associates’ brutalist home pairs climatic intelligence with material honesty appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.