“Turkish stones possess a grace and delicacy that inspire admiration worldwide.”
Bhadri Suthar, a prominent voice in contemporary Indian architecture, is the founding partner and lead designer of Ahmedabad-based tHE gRID Architects studio. In Suthar’s approach, architecture is not merely an aesthetic or functional production, but a profound dialogue between nature, people, and space. Defining design as a “spiritual journey,” the architect creates timeless structures centered on empathy, craftsmanship, and material integrity. We discussed his architectural philosophy, the character of Indian natural stones, potential collaborations with Turkey, and his message to young architects.
Could you please introduce yourself first? How did your journey in architecture begin?
Bhadri Suthar, Co-Founder & Co-Principal Designer
tHE gRID Architects | Research & Design Studio, Ahmedabad – India
My journey into architecture began with an intuitive curiosity about how spaces shape emotion. I grew up surrounded by art, craft, and the quiet rhythm of Indian living environments — courtyards, verandahs, the smell of lime and earth. These experiences gradually became a language I wanted to interpret through design. Architecture felt less like a profession and more like a calling — a way to build meaning and connection between humans and nature.
Can you share with us the story behind the founding of THE gRID Architects in 2002?
The studio was founded by spouse and partner Snehal Suthar and me (Bhadri) n 2002 with a simple belief — that architecture should nurture empathy and belonging.
We started from a small room with a shared sketchbook and a shared purpose: to create spaces that heal rather than impress. Over the years, tHE gRID has evolved into a collaborative research & design studio exploring architecture across scales — from installations like BRUTONA at the Venice Biennale 2025 to large-scale sustainable projects such as Tarang, Kamdhenu Dairy Welfare Facility, and AGRItecture Home & School. Our focus has always been rooted modernism — contemporary thought grounded in Indian ethos.
What do you think is the strongest aspect that distinguishes THE gRID Architects from other studios in India?
At tHE gRID, we don’t see architecture as creation — we see it as connection.
Our work grows from empathy and awareness rather than from form or trend. Every project begins as a conversation between the elements — earth, sky, water, light, and the human spirit that inhabits them. We believe a studio is not a hierarchy but a family of seekers. No one works for tHE gRID Architects; everyone works with it. This shared sense of purpose allows design to unfold organically, shaped by many hands and one intent — to create spaces that feel honest, healing, and alive.
Material honesty, contextual sensitivity, and a deep respect for craft guide our architecture. We design in silence before we draw listening to what the site, the material,wish to become. In that stillness, our buildings find their form grounded, and timeless.
You say, “Design is a spiritual journey.” What does it mean for you that design is a spiritual journey?
When you begin to design with love, it is no longer an act of creation — it becomes communion.
Each line drawn, each space shaped, becomes a silent prayer whispered through your hands. In those moments, the boundary between the creator and the creation dissolves. You are not designing something outside yourself — you are revealing what already exists within.
Design, at its purest, takes you beyond thought and beyond self, into a state of silent awareness, where intuition flows more freely than intellect. It feels as though the universe designs through you — and you become a vessel for something higher, something timeless.
For us, design is not a profession but a form of meditation — a surrender to the unseen rhythm of life. It is a sacred act where the soul converses with the divine, and in that quiet dialogue, beauty manifests effortlessly.
India is one of the leading countries in terms of natural stone variety and reserves. In your opinion, what makes Indian natural stones unique?
India is a living map of geology — an ancient land where every layer of earth tells a story of time, transformation, and endurance. This immense geographic and climatic diversity has gifted the country with an extraordinary palette of stones — from the crystalline strength of granite to the layered warmth of sandstone, the timeless grace of metamorphic marble and slate, and the quiet resilience of sedimentary limestone. Agra Red sandstone, Kota stone and makrana marble all have special significance. Yet, what truly makes Indian stone unique is not just its geological abundance but the wisdom with which it has been understood and used. For millennia, our builders have listened to the material — knowing which stone could carry a temple shikhara, which could breathe through a carved jali, and which would stay cool underfoot in the summer heat.
This sensitivity led to an architecture that felt born of the earth itself — structures that emerged from their landscapes rather than being imposed upon them. Indian stones are witnesses — to empires, rituals, footsteps, and lifetimes. Their beauty lies in endurance, in the quiet patina that comes from centuries of touch and weather.
It is this union — of geological richness and cultural intelligence — that makes Indian stone exceptional: a material that bridges the monumental and the everyday, connecting history, craft, and human life in one continuous story. This deep understanding led to a process of humanization. Stone’s inherent virtues were unlocked to create structures that were profoundly useful, contextually beautiful, and deeply affordable.
In modern architectural projects, with which features do Indian natural stones stand out the most? (durability, color diversity, workability, etc.)
It always begins with context — understanding why and where a stone is being used. The strength of Indian stone lies in this adaptability. Whether for structural endurance, flooring, cladding, or intricate detailing, each variety offers a distinct response to climate, scale, and emotion.
Most Indian stones are inherently rugged and long-lasting. They age gracefully, gaining character rather than losing it. Their natural density and resistance to weathering make them ideal for both exterior and interior use, while their tactile warmth allows them to connect architecture to the human experience. Beyond durability, Indian stones offer a timeless aesthetic, colours drawn from the earth itself, subtle textures that catch light differently through the day, and surfaces that invite touch. They stand out not only for their physical resilience but for their emotional permanence,they belong to the landscape, and with time, they become part of it.
Natural stone export is important for India. In your view, in which areas should Indian stones be promoted more strongly in the global market?
Indian stone should be seen as a cultural material. Promotion must highlight craftsmanship, sustainability, and the wisdom of local artisans who shape stone with care and intelligence.
Indian granite, in particular, stands out for its unique colours, textures, and strength. It is durable, excellent for carving, and suitable even for heavy-traffic areas like airports and railway stations — a true example of beauty born from resilience. Architectural collaborations, curated exhibitions, and design-led storytelling can help position Indian stone as both ecological and emotional material.
Turkey is also one of the world leaders in marble and natural stone exports. How do you evaluate Turkish natural stones and their processing quality?
Turkish stones have an elegance and refinement that are admired globally.
Their processing quality and finish precision are exemplary, from large façade panels to intricate inlays. The industry’s investment in technology and quality control has created a strong benchmark.
For us as architects, Turkish stones represent balance between strength and subtlety, between craft and industrial precision.
In your opinion, what opportunities exist for collaboration and knowledge exchange between India and Turkey in the field of natural stone?
Both countries share ancient civilisations, strong craft traditions, and abundant natural resources.
A collaboration could focus on responsible quarrying, low-waste fabrication, and circular-economy models for stone use. Design residencies, material research programmes, and joint exhibitions could allow artisans and architects from both regions to learn from each other. Material and design are not a hierarchy but a dialogue a conversation between the given and the imagined, between the law of nature and the dream of humanity. The perfect creation finds that delicate equilibrium where one cannot tell where the material’s suggestion ends and the designer’s intention begins. They become inseparable — like the soul and the body.
India and Turkey both share this reverence for material. Their collaboration can become a dialogue of wisdom and innovation, where ancient craft meets modern precision.
What message would you like to give to young architects regarding both design and material selection?
To young architects — The future of architecture rests on empathy, humanity, and a deep bond with nature. Design selflessly—with purpose, rootedness, and context as your compass. True architecture is not about how it looks, but how it relates—to people, place, and the environment. Let your work reconnect humans with nature, even in the heart of cities. Respect the terrain, light, and climate; build mindfully to create harmony and balance. When choosing materials, understand their origin, character, and spirit. Work with craftspeople, revive traditional wisdom, and let materials express their truth. Create spaces where design dissolves and life flows effortlessly. As Daaji (The world Spiritual leader for Heartfulness path of meditation) says, Honesty in design, humanity in execution, and moderation in success — this belief makes design a spiritual journey. Architecture is not about creating monuments; it’s about creating meaning.
+90 532 585 51 95
+90 532 585 51 95