BRUTALIST ASHTRAYS

BRUTALISM

Brutalism is characterized by its rough, raw, and unfinished appearance. While it was initially celebrated for its bold and unconventional style, Brutalism has also been criticized for its often austere and imposing aesthetic, which some people find uninviting or even oppressive. I think it is a pretty good analogy for city life.

CONCRETE

Concrete is a building material made from a mixture of cement, sand, water, and aggregate. It’s a versatile and durable material that’s commonly used in construction for everything from foundations and walls to floors and sidewalks. Invoking a sense of ubiquity and looking like the city, concrete is the perfect material choice.

I am a huge fan of brutalism and wanted this project to bring the expansive structures that define brutalism down to a human scale.

I can understand why some people might find Brutalist architecture uninviting or even intimidating. The use of heavy concrete and other industrial materials can make buildings designed in the Brutalist style feel cold and uninviting, especially if they lack green spaces or other elements that soften their appearance. Additionally, the often-imposing size and scale of Brutalist structures can make them feel oppressive and overwhelming to some viewers.

However, I personally find the bold, unapologetic aesthetic of Brutalism inspiring and even beautiful. The raw, unfinished quality of concrete and other materials used in this style of architecture can be seen as a celebration of the inherent beauty of these materials, rather than an attempt to cover them up. The strong geometric shapes and forms used in Brutalist design can also be seen as a reflection of the underlying structural logic of the building, creating a sense of honesty and integrity in the design.

A FUNCTIONAL APPROACH

The Elodie ashtray was named for and designed for my good friend ZMX, or Elodie. She’s the sort of no-nonsense boss bitch whose dream man is somewhere in the overlap of the 5 guys she dates casually.

Elodie loves smoking, and the ashtray is designed for a social girl like ELodie to have friends round, with 4 large cigarette rests to accommodate cigarettes at any stage of consumption.

The Elodie is on the slimmer side of the ashtrays we design, perfect to be slipped into a suitcase when travelling, as of course you’re a jet-setter.