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Material & Craft: The Soul of Our Practice

bySIAN ArchitectsTakes projects across India; Visit studio in Derawal Nagar, DelhiStarts from₹180 ₹ per sq. ft. of Built-up AreaView full gallery

We believe every material holds a story. From reclaimed wood to local stone, our practice explores how we can give everyday elements a second life, blending vernacular techniques with modern ingenuity.

A video showing our design process, from digital sketches to construction scaffolding to the final, light-filled interior. It's a journey of collaboration and craftsmanship that turns a vision into reality.

Waste wood accounts for nearly 35% of material loss in projects. This image of a sculptural bookshelf made from offcuts asks the question: is it truly waste, or untapped potential?

We explore ways to give waste wood a second life. This collage shows how repurposed wood can be used for acoustic paneling in a bar or for outdoor seating, reducing costs and creating purposeful design.

A material's story doesn't end at the construction site. This image of a serene balcony, built with thoughtfully sourced wood, is accompanied by our philosophy on minimizing waste and maximizing impact.

Material innovation is at the core of redefining luxury. Here, we repurposed common bumper tiles for a wall elevation, integrating them with bespoke resin lighting to create an extraordinary result from ordinary materials.

Embracing both success and failure is integral to our creative journey. This image of a floating staircase shows our commitment to pushing design boundaries through experimentation and refinement.

Innovation flourishes in an environment of experimentation. This close-up shows handcrafted floral motifs made from a stone-resin composite, a result of our fearless exploration of new materials and techniques.

A technical drawing showing our design for a synthetic thatch roof. While we value vernacular techniques, we also explore modern alternatives to address challenges like longevity and fire resistance.

An illustration showing how synthetic thatch can be applied over traditional terracotta tiles. This hybrid approach offers a durable, low-maintenance solution that still respects the spirit of vernacular materials.

A diagram detailing the components of a synthetic thatch roofing system, from the aluminum rail to the hip and ridge panels. This shows our deep dive into the technical aspects of material innovation.

About Material & Craft: The Soul of Our Practice

We often get asked about the luxury of our materials. The truth is, we find beauty in what others discard. Take our use of industrial bumper tiles or offcut timber; these are not just cost-saving measures, they are deliberate choices to weave character and narrative into a home. When you visit our studio, you will see that innovation starts with looking closely at the overlooked bits on a construction site.

Crafting spaces across Delhi NCR since 2018 — Approved by the tribe
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SIAN Architects

Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Derawal Nagar, DelhiStarts from ₹180 ₹ per sq. ft. of Built-up Area

We are Surbhi and Deepanshu. We don't just design buildings; we listen to the land and the materials it offers, letting those stories guide every line we draw. If you are looking for a home that feels personal, layered, and deeply thoughtful, we should talk.

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Art is not an afterthought; it is part of the architecture itself. This terracotta mural depicting the Dandi March is integrated into the brick wall of a courtyard, turning a structural element into a powerful storytelling canvas.
A large terracotta jali wall with an intricate leaf pattern at the entrance of the ASA office. This functional screen provides ventilation and privacy while serving as a beautiful piece of architectural art.
A framed terracotta tile mural depicting lotus flowers, hung against a textured brick wall. This piece highlights how we collaborate with artists to create custom works that complement the building's material palette.

Materials & Craftsmanship in Ecological Architecture

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Biome Environmental SolutionsStudio in Vidyaranyapura; projects across Bengaluru & India
We are always exploring ways to use waste materials. Here, we are testing a new type of wall cast using wood waste from a furniture factory, with wood chips substituting for aggregate.14
The process of grinding down the surface of our experimental wood-waste concrete block to expose the wood chips embedded within. This creates a unique, terrazzo-like finish.
A close-up of the finished wood-waste concrete. The random pattern of wood chips creates a warm and tactile surface, turning a waste product into a beautiful architectural material.
The outer face of the experimental block is cast against formwork made of waste wood strips, creating a ribbed texture. This exploration allows for different finishes on the interior and exterior of a single wall.

The Art of Materiality

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CollectiveProjectStudio in Indiranagar; Projects across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad & India
The completed bamboo roof of a yoga hall, seen from below. The intricate spiral weave is not just beautiful but also structurally sound, creating a breathtaking canopy with a central oculus that lets in natural light.12
The interior of the completed yoga hall, showing how the bamboo roof structure meets the mud-plastered walls. This combination of earth and bamboo creates a space that feels organic, calming, and deeply connected to nature.
A scaled maquette of the spiral bamboo roof. I created this model to study the complex joinery and geometry, a process that honors the hands-on, craft-based approach of my inspiration, architect Revathi Kamath.
A section drawing of the yoga hall, illustrating how the bamboo roof structure allows for a wide, open-span interior. The design lets light filter through the bamboo, creating a serene, dappled effect perfect for a meditative space.

Material Craft: Bamboo, Stone & Upcycled Elements

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SAFE Design StudioTakes projects in Shillong, Guwahati & Delhi NCR; Studios in Shillong & New Delhi
We are always learning and exploring new techniques in earth construction. These sample tiles showcase a range of earth plaster finishes, each with a unique color and texture derived from different soil compositions and pigments.28
Our material library is a constant source of inspiration. These jars contain soil and aggregate samples from various locations, which we use to develop our custom, site-specific plaster and flooring finishes.
A glimpse into the process of creating sprayed earth plaster with our collaborators at BC Architects. This innovative technique allows for the rapid application of earth finishes, and we are excited to bring this knowledge to our projects in India.
A cross-section model demonstrating the layers of an earth-based flooring system. This type of educational tool is invaluable for understanding the technical aspects of sustainable construction methods like rammed earth and earth blocks.

Architecture Defined by Earth, Wood, and Stone

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Case DesignTakes projects across India; Visit Design Studio in Saki Naka, Mumbai
This image captures the process of creating our signature leaf-imprinted concrete. We carefully press large palm leaves into wet concrete, leaving behind a beautiful, natural texture that is truly one of a kind.9
The final result is a stunning home theater where the walls are adorned with custom leaf-shaped light fixtures and the bar features our unique leaf-imprinted concrete. It's a space where art and architecture become one.
A view through a circular opening in a brick wall during construction. This shot highlights the beautiful play of light and shadow created by a latticed roof, turning a simple material into a dynamic architectural element.
During the construction of a new project, we explore patterns and textures with exposed brickwork. This attention to material detail, even in the early stages, is fundamental to our design process.

Handcrafted Materials and Architectural Detail

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Mistry ArchitectsTakes interior projects across India; Visit Design Studio in Indiranagar
The journey of the 'House of Solid Stone' began at the source. This image shows the sandstone quarry in Rajasthan and the massive blocks cut and prepared for the project, where we committed to using no material other than stone for construction.9
A black and white shot capturing the raw effort of construction on the House of Solid Stone. Workers guide a heavy stone lintel, lowered by a crane, into its final position, a moment of precision and teamwork.

The Art of Making: Material and Craft

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Malik ArchitectureTakes projects across India; Visit office at Ballard Estate, Mumbai

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