PC: Parnavi Bangar

The owl house cafe close to our Toybox Villa, available for sale now, has become a favourite spot for our office meet-ups and onsite lunches. Of all the cafes in Goa, this is special. It is the perfect spot for a calming afternoon after a busy day on site. The peaceful atmosphere of simple living, roof detailing and vibrant wall art & paintings feel refreshing.

What truly makes The Owl House Café special is that it's managed by adults with neurological conditions. Offering them a supportive environment. They also host courses, therapies, and training sessions for similar individuals.

They have a lovely souvenir shop at the back with handmade goods from bookmarks to jewellery. All made by differently able, giving them a platform with a supportive environment.

Owl House Cafe is the combination of great food, peaceful surroundings, and a heartwarming purpose. Here’s a glimpse of our recent office meetup there! If you're in Goa or you're living in Goa, this is our recommendation to enjoy the slow living life in Goa.

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PC Parnavi Bangar

A compelling statue of Abbe Faria has been standing in the middle of a public square in Panjim, for 75 years, depicting him hypnotizing a woman. At a liminal place, between the current Panjim city and the history of Goa, with a forgotten legacy.  

Abbe Faria

(31 May 1756 – 20 September 1819)

was a Goan Catholic priest and one of the pioneers in the scientific study of hypnotism. Born José Custódio de Faria in Candolim, Bardez, Goa, he moved to Lisbon with his father in 1771.

Convincing the King of Portugal to support his studies, he went to Rome to pursue the priesthood, earning a doctorate and another degree focused on the Holy Spirit.

Faria departed from the then-popular theory of "magnetic fluid" in hypnotism, emphasizing instead the power of suggestion and the concept of autosuggestion. He demonstrated that what he termed "nervous sleep" was a natural state, laying the groundwork for modern hypnotism.

Faria’s impact extended beyond his scientific work; he also inspired the character Abbé Faria in Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel "The Count of Monte Cristo." In the novel, the character is an imprisoned priest who teaches the protagonist various skills, reflecting Faria's real-life intellectual legacy.

PC Gaurav Sawant

Interestingly, the statue's location across from the gaudy casino boats on the Mandovi River offers a striking contrast. This juxtaposition encourages tourists to consider Goa beyond its party image, appreciating its rich history and Panjim’s historic urban fabric. The statue is hard to miss for those living in Goa or driving into Panjim, forgotten but in plain sight.

During a recent visit to HH Art Spaces in Aldona, Goa opened in 2014, I saw the ‘Déjà vu’ exhibition, which was a part of a few live performances. This exhibition, photographed by Shivani Gupta, with a focus on performances using masks as props beautifully captured the essence of live performances. The photographs preserved the emotions and energy of the performances, allowing viewers to engage with themes of identity and change even after the live acts ended. One photograph of the exhibit particularly stood out to me, it was Farah Naz Moon’s performance with a green paper sheet.

In this simple piece Called 'How to live together?’, the artist held a large sheet of green paper that moved with her breath and the wind, seemingly merging her with the background. The paper gently covered her face, blurring her identity while locating her presence in the space. Like she was becoming one with her surroundings, not by disappearing but by blending into the context around her.

How to live together?

This reminded me of our architectural practice- Grounded in Goa. When we design villas in Goa, especially with projects that engage with the natural beauty of the land like the House with Three Pavilions and Nivim, we strive for something similar. Architecture that doesn’t dominate but complements. We don’t hide the building behind metaphorical paper sheets, but we design in a way that responds to the environment. 

Spaces that belong

HH Art Spaces

If you're in Goa and love art, be sure to visit HH Art Spaces in Aldona. Located beside a beautiful St. Thomas’ Church with a stunning view, they showcase exhibitions that bring together contemporary art and performance. It's a must-visit for art enthusiasts, young artists, and art collectors looking to explore something unique.

St. Thomas’ Church

pc: Sanjeet Wahi

Google might suggest that winter is the best time to be in Goa, but have you ever experienced Goa during the monsoons? The weather in Goa during this season is slow and peaceful.  Just taking a walk around gives you a glimpse into the everyday life in Goa.

Cloudy sky | Cool breeze | Green landscapes

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You can watch people in their daily routines, cycling to places, fishing with a stick near creeks, and simply enjoying the weather. An evening visit to a nearby cafe can be a great way to end the day. Though the monsoons here can get heavy at times, a cup of coffee or tea by your window with a good book captures the essence of ‘Susegad’, the relaxed Goan lifestyle. A big plus is that Goa is less crowded with tourists during this off-season. Monsoon in Goa is a perfect escape from city life, offering a calm and natural retreat.

On 5th July, I had the opportunity to speak at a wonderful evening event at Ahmedabad, hosted by FOAID India and Design Perspectives India. The event brought together architects and industry leaders for a productive conference. One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity to exchange thoughts with the immensely talented Vin Varavarn from Vin Varavarn Architects in Thailand.

During my talk, I shared the vision of Grounded Goa, our architectural firm that focuses on sustainable design. I explained our design process and gave the audience a look at some of our key projects, especially our Villas in Goa.

At Grounded, we combine rustic and contemporary styles to create buildings that reconnect people with nature and the simple joys of life. Our goal is to bring fresh air, natural light, and a sense of well-being into every home we design. Goa Villas by Grounded is a special part of our firm that builds unique and sustainable houses in Goa. We take care of everything from design to construction, ensuring that each house reflects our commitment to both beauty and sustainability.

Listening to other speakers and engaging with the amazing audience was truly enriching. A big thank you to Hiren Patel, Dipen Gada, and Grid Architects for attending the event, and a special thanks to Shraddha for the invitation. The evening was beautiful, and I walked away having learned so much.

On one of our Villas in Goa sites for Grounded Villas, we faced the need to cut down a few teak trees onsite. Instead of letting this valuable wood go to waste, we saw an opportunity and decided to reuse it creatively.

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Working with a local craftsman, Nereus Drego in Goa, we designed the teak into custom-made furniture pieces. The furniture pieces are a long country table for the eat-in kitchen for Toybox, along with two uniquely designed center tables.

These furniture pieces not only stand out for their beautiful design but also hold sentimental value. It's crafted from the very trees that once were a part of the site, creating a lasting connection. It's our little effort to savor the precious resources of the environment and the trees in Goa.

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Using natural materials in our interiors aligns with our philosophy of ecological design by blending indoor spaces with nature. One of the center tables is interactive and designed for a family that opens up into small storage for display. The long table in Toybox's kitchen serves as a focal point, as the double-height kitchen space is the heart of the house. Toybox is about to launch soon! Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about Toybox and our sustainable design practices.

Goa is known for its vibrant tourism with its stunning Goan villas, traditional wadas, and modern Goan houses lining the scenic streets. These picturesque homes are nestled among lush plantations and swaying trees in Goa. But have you ever paid attention to the intriguing details on the roofs of these old houses?

Take a closer look, and you’ll notice terracotta figures perched on the entrance gateways and atop the roofs. These old Portuguese houses in the Goa residential area date back 150 to 400 years. The tradition of placing these figures on the rooftops has been there from the beginning, though living in Goa many homeowners may not know their history or meaning. These figures are of soldiers, cockerels, rabbits, pigs, lions, and even seated human figures.

Soldados (Portuguese for soldiers) Saluting at the entrance of a house in Goa

They symbolize the identity of the homeowners, offering a glimpse into who resides beneath the roof without directly knowing them. For instance, lion motifs, mostly seen on the entrance gateways represent strength and signify a connection to the Kadamba Dynasty. The lion was the royal emblem of the Kadamba Dynasty which ruled Goa from the 10th to 14th centuries. Roosters, on the other hand, are linked to the rooster of Barcelos, a character symbolizing integrity and truth from a beloved Portuguese folktale, often seen on the roofs of Goan Catholic houses. Landlords' houses often featured animal motifs like lions, with the animal pointing in the direction of the property.

Rooftop Human, Source: Reddit

Lion on Gateways, Source: Soultravelling

Rooftop sentinel, Source: Gomantak Times

Architecturally, these figures contribute to the aesthetics of the rooftop by sitting on the meeting point of multiple roofs, adding to the visual appeal. The figurines on the gateways give a sense of richness to the visitors, like the massive fort gates. Today, these miniature ornaments are not just decorative; they are an integral part of Goa’s culture, reflecting the community’s rich past. They also connect us to the local artists of Goa who craft these terracotta artifacts, including the charming miniatures.

Curiosity often unveils hidden treasures. So, next time you wander through the streets of Goa, pause to admire these rooftop details. Who knows what stories you might uncover?

Last December, our team at Grounded embarked on an exciting bird-watching walk at the Socorro Plateau in Goa. A local eco-organization organized this beautiful trail, Khoj-aao, providing us with a perfect retreat into the wild, which is literally in my backyard in Goa.

We gathered at the meeting spot around 4 PM, ready for an evening walk. Goa is renowned for its birdlife and home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, had us hopeful for what the plateau had in store for us.  We were told that the plateau is home to around 400 species of birds and many trees in Goa. These are some of the joys of living in Goa.

As we walked, the plateau revealed its wonders. We saw a variety of birds, insects, and plants that made the experience truly special. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the landscape, adding to the beauty of the evening.

Here are some of the highlights from our walk:

• Birds of Goa: Green bee-eaters, Blue-tailed bee-eater, Red-vented bulbuls, Red-whiskered bulbuls, Indian Robin, Indian Golden Orioles, Black drongo, Rock pigeons, Brahminy kite, Malabar Barbets, Asian Koel, Barn swallows, Spotted doves, Indian Peafowl, Pied Bushchat, Brahminy Starlings, Plum-headed Parakeets, Greater Coucal

• Biodiversity: Indian Giant Millipede, Crematogaster ant colonies, Indian Golden Hare (scat), Crab's eye, Ironwood plant (Anjan in Hindi), Button pipeworts, Saptaparni tree (blackboard tree), Ghela (fish poison plant), many types of grasses.

Pc: Sanjeet Wahi

Our bird-watching walk at Socorro Plateau was more than just an evening out. It was a chance to connect with nature, learn about the local wildlife, and bond as a team. The memories we made and the beauty we witnessed will stay with us for a long time.

If you're ever in Goa and looking for a peaceful retreat, we highly recommend taking a bird-watching walk at the Socorro Plateau. It's an experience you will remember!

Goa is not only known for its beaches, but it is famous for its flora and fauna as well. If you're someone living in Goa, you will know of its vibrant variety of aviary species. The state is home to 5% of the world’s bird species and about 50% of the bird species found in India, making it an important location for birdwatchers.

Intermediate Egret

Red Whiskered Bulbul

Asian Geen Bee Eater

The bird-lovers visiting Goa have a lot of places to choose from; Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Carambolim Lake, Soccorro Plateau, Morjim Beach, Curtorim Wetland Complex and Zuari are among the significant birdwatching locations here.

Purple Rumped Sunbird

Pale Billed Flowerpecker

Barn Swallow

Black Winged Stilt

Black Headed Ibis

Brahminy Kite

Oriental Magpie Robin

Gull Billed Tern

We here at GROUNDED have attempted to give you a compilation of the most commonly spotted birds in Goa, especially the regions closer to our villa projects. For anyone looking to move to Goa, check out our upcoming sustainable villa developments here.

All photographs are taken by our COO and resident wildlife and architectural photographer, Sanjeet Wahi.

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The House with Three Pavilions is a sustainable house in Goa, designed and developed by GROUNDED.

The house explores the intimate relationship between the land, its people, water, and the biodiversity that exists in Goa in India. It is designed as a cluster of three pavilions that gently weave around existing trees in an attempt to coexist with nature and to minimize the impact of new construction on virgin land.  

The architecture of the house takes inspiration from the surrounding Goan village houses. Mostly constructed as ground-floor structures, each pavilion attempts to match the volumetrics of its village peers. Throughout, a simple sweeping roof form is used in red terracotta tile that is ubiquitous to the Goan village built-landscape. Proportions are borrowed from doors, windows, and plaster bands of vernacular Goan structures even as a distinct contemporary style is articulated in the design.

With a focus on connection with nature, the materials used in the house are kept subtle and natural. All floors are finished with a natural Indian ‘kota’ stone in a blue-green color that merges with the landscape. Pigmented cement and exposed local ‘laterite’ are used extensively to mirror the rustic countryside character. ‘Teak’ is used for doors and windows to add warmth and rich texture to the interiors. Antique wood columns and stone pedestals are also incorporated to bring a sense of luxury and timelessness throughout.  

The project also prioritises the enhancement of the site’s resources and biodiversity through a comprehensive water-management system which includes a natural seasonal pond connected to a newly planned system of bioswales. This on-site wetland feature harvests rainwater, recharges depleted underground aquifers, and offsets the load on the public drain system. Furthermore, it preserves the pre-existing site habitat. It is a win to see that insects, birds, and animals continue to find the site a safe space even as they come in close contact with the human life around, making this truly a space for all seasons and species.

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