NEO-BRUT
A small domestic object that encapsulates a ritual. Neo‑Brut was born from the desire to create an incense holder that unites function, material, and gesture, turning the act of lighting incense into a calm, complete, and mindful action.
The project responds to the absence of a single object that holds incense sticks, a lighter, and an ash tray together. Its aim is to bring simplicity back to an everyday gesture, enhancing a personal moment of stillness.
Despite its essential form, the object takes on a symbolic and almost ritual character, a small domestic totem dedicated to quiet.
Concrete and wood: two opposing materials in dialogue. The first raw and static, the second warm and colourful, softening the brutalist rigidity of the form.
A raw concrete base is paired with two coloured wooden drawers, where the natural grain remains visible. The material contrast gives the object both weight and warmth, bringing out tactility as an aesthetic value.
The project is designed for simple serial production, using silicone moulds and laser‑cut wooden panels, yet it can be easily scaled to industrial manufacturing.
Sketches, models, and material experimentation: Neo‑Brut emerged from an empirical exploration of concrete and its sensory qualities.
The project began with sketches and small models in cardboard and polyurethane, followed by 3D modelling in Rhino and rendering in Blender.
In parallel, material tests were carried out with different cement mixes, aggregates, and pigments to evaluate texture, porosity, and colour. The final prototype was made using a 3D‑printed mould for the concrete part and laser cutting for the wooden drawers.
A single solid block contains two drawers and two functional holes, one for incense, one for a lighter. Everything is visible, logical, and immediate.
The concrete block features an angled hole for incense and a vertical one for the lighter. On the front, two independent drawers slide smoothly: the upper one acts as an ash tray, while the lower holds incense and accessories.
The language is simple and almost architectural, aiming for clarity of use, every visible element corresponds to a precise function.
Future developments aim to refine texture and functionality, introducing new uses and an even more tactile aesthetic.
I am experimenting with wooden or textured silicone moulds to imprint wood grain onto the concrete, evoking brutalist architecture. At the same time, I am testing concrete surfaces suitable for striking matches, turning the lighter slot into a match holder.
Neo‑Brut is conceived as part of a collection of ritual domestic objects, together with a valet tray and an ashtray, forming a small ecosystem of everyday gestures.