THE SUM OF ITS PARTS
A 19th century villa on the banks of the Mandovi River in Goa retains its old world charm while adding modern aesthetics, resulting in a spectacular mix of styles
Close to Panjim, in the heritage district of Ribander on the banks of the Mandovi River in Goa, stood an old dilapidated IndoPortuguese house originally built in the early 19th century. The approximately 8,300 sq ft plot was purchased by our client with a desire to convert the heritage structure into a luxury six bedroom riverside residence. Thus the design brief entailed retaining and restoring as much of the original structure as possible and adding an extension constituting of indoor and outdoor spaces that took advantage of the proximity to the Mandovi River.
THE DESIGN CHALLENGE
Maintaining a balance in the aesthetics between the traditional and the contemporary posed to be an interesting design challenge. Villa Ribander is a home designed to meet the comforts of day-to-day living while providing the luxuries of a weekend home. The 6,900 sq ft villa has an unassuming entrance off the main road through the original structure and it unfolds gradually, increasing in transparency as one moves through the house, to the new
wing, closer to the river.
THE REVAMP REPORT
Divided between two levels, the layout of the existing home was maintained. The weak existing walls of the structure were strengthened to withstand seismic, wind and vehicular impact. The south façade of the house facing the road, had traditional smaller openings, thus receiving comparatively less natural light, housing spaces that are used less often. The exterior of the old house has been meticulously restored to its original appeal to maintain the character of the streetscape, involving extensive research on the building style of the period. Rather than emulating the design style of the original villa for the new wing, it follows a contemporary design language so that a degree of lightness and modernity is introduced into the house. The intent was to create an interesting aesthetic with the juxtaposition of new against the old. An interesting feature of the extension is an overhead bridge structure made of metal slats, to allow a view of the water body below, providing direct access from the house to the terrace. The pavilion was designed to be a light semi-open structure with folding glass walls and a vast shading canopy providing seamless views of the river and access to the outdoor spaces and infinity pool. The verandah abutting the dining area serves as a long semi-open space overlooking the tropical garden and the river beyond.
A MODERN TOUCH
The interior design of the house boasts a minimal contemporary style with modern furniture mixed with eclectic found pieces. The neutral colour palette is balanced with the use of terrazzo and wooden flooring. Careful planning and craft have produced a house that has both, the nostalgia of the past, and the practicality of the present.