From the curator
Brutalist India is a photo-essay series curated by Bhawna Dandona in collaboration with ArchitectureLive!. The series serves as a platform to explore India’s Brutalist architecture, a stylistic and material expression that emerged in the post-independence period. These structures are characterised by the innovative use of bold geometric forms as an articulation of structural expression, and by a raw, exposed aesthetic in which concrete is the primary material.
This initiative aims to highlight both iconic and lesser-known architectural works from across India, offering insights into their history and contexts, design principles, and techniques. The narrative reflects on relevant techniques, forms, materials, and finishes, fostering an appreciation of their architectural and material significance.
In light of the recent demolitions of concrete buildings, the series seeks to raise awareness and foster a deeper understanding of the importance of safeguarding India’s architectural heritage from the recent past. By promoting the knowledge and understanding of Brutalist architecture through this series, the aim is also to inspire efforts towards preservation and sustainable practices ensuring that these structures continue to enrich our everyday built environment.
About the curator
Bhawna Dandona
Bhawna Dandona is a conservation architect with a Master of Science in Architectural Materials Conservation from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked extensively with heritage sites in both India and the United States. Her practice focuses on documentation, diagnosis, and the development of sustainable conservation strategies using scientific methods. Her research interests include construction histories, the impact of climate change on building materials, and material-based approaches to heritage conservation. She was awarded a scholarship for her research on Lakhori brick. Currently, she is focused on researching and mapping 20th-century Indian architecture, with a particular emphasis on Brutalist structures.
