Starting a new series on the blog today on ‘Designing a House in Goa’. Here we will outline some of the ideas and concepts that we have used over and over in projects which we believe are key to achieving the resort-style lifestyle desired and offered by these lovely houses in Goa.

This is a follow up on our previous post on ‘What to Look for when buying a House in Goa’.

First and foremost, create indoor-outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly together. By that we mean:

1. Design indoor spaces that are flanked by generous outdoor spaces in the form of verandahs and courtyards.

2. Introduce large openings in between these indoor and outdoor spaces which can be opened up to connect the two spaces to allow them to function as one space.

3. The openings should be designed to frame views and focus on key natural elements on the site, such as an existing tree, water feature, rocky outcrop, and/ or the views offered by the site.

4. Plan openings on at least two walls within a room to allow for easy cross ventilation and try to align the openings to the wind direction on the site.

5. We also like to use the same finish in the indoor and outdoor space, once again connecting them visually and making them appear as one contiguous space.

6. Plan for doors with mosquito nets to keep the bugs and creepy crawlies out. This is a very important element that allows for a comfortable use of a Goan home specially in the evenings and during the monsoon.

Images from Navovado. Photography by Sanjeet Wahi

Photograph (above) from Nivim. Photography by Bharath Ramamrutham.

Partner Content : How to Create an Indoor/Outdoor Space That’s Fun and Functional has some great ideas on creating outdoor spaces for different activities. Their post will help you style your outdoor spaces with the right decor, lighting, furniture and much more.

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IMAGE OF MY SEED COLLECTION

Last week, I was interviewed by Priscille H Joseph on her podcast 'Design Talks'. She asked me what I mean when I say 'reconnect with nature'.  I have thought about it, and more than anything 'reconnecting with nature' is about a mindset. We are constantly surrounded by the wonders of nature, 'a reconnection' is possible by simply being in tune with nature and its cycles, and to begin to observe and attach value to nature's wonders that surround us.

I enjoy observing nature closely. I personally have a special fondness for 'seeds'.  I have become somewhat of a part-time seeds collector. I’ve gleaned quite a collection of seeds from my walks and travels, and they are peppered around my apartment. This is an obsession of sorts and I really enjoy admiring their unique forms. 

Seeds come in many shapes and sizes. The primary objective of seeds is to disperse and propagate life. The size, shape, color and smell are all reverse engineered from their method of propagation. Some seeds have the ability to take flight, like the Dandelion and Maple Helicopter Seeds. Others are colorful to attract birds and some have a strong scent to attract large mammals. I am fascinated by this diversity. And more than anything, I am fascinated by the complexity of shape and structure that these seeds present. No person's imagery can do better justice to these wondrous creations than photographer, Mary Jo Hoffman and her Still Blog. I am adding some images below, breath them in....

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Highlighting this beauty today…

We all seem to know of Kelly Wearstler, thanks to her Interior Design Masterclass. She is a heavyweight in the interior design world. I love this particular series, it fits perfectly with my aesthetic of highlighting natural materials in interiors. Beautifully crafted, raw with the grains in wood taking center stage. This one is makes wonderful eye-candy!

All images from Kelly Wearstler Website.

For Singapore Design Week, I joined a group of design lovers to tour design significant buildings in Singapore. 

I was bowled over when I walked into 145 Neil Road, a traditional Peranakan shophouse that has been refurbished into a contemporary sequence of spaces dotted with traditional elements, rustic finishes, exposed concrete, large sliding doors with clear glass and light-filled courtyards. Great inspiration for our forthcoming projects!

Source for images: Spoonful of Home Design 

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This is one of our favorite Indian style statements ! Enjoy !

Here is a video of what it feels like to spend a day at Nivim as the light changes from morning to evening.

Goa TL Full Compressed 03 from Anjali Mangalgiri on Vimeo.

Hi Y'all

If you are wondering where we have disappeared after April and how is the progress on Nivim, then we apologize for the disappearing act... but wrapping up the project was super hectic and we needed to recharge...

The good news is that we completed the construction of Nivim in April/ May of this year. After that we were frantically trying to push the construction crew out, get the house cleaned up, setup the furniture and lighting, start the pool and perfect the landscaping. All this effort was to be able to get the architectural photography done asap.

Here is a link to the final photos of the house !

The house is now on the market for sale and is listed by SaffronArt. You can find the property listing here.

We would like to thank you for following the progress of the house, supporting us through your comments and being engaged in the process.

We will continue the blog with news on Nivim, our design inspirations, sustainability best practices and the charms of living in Goa.

Best

Anjali Mangalgiri

and the Nivim Team.

With all the stress of completion on-site, we thought that it was a good time for some eye-candy. See below are some inspired photos of classic outdoor spaces.

 Deck at Geejam hotel, Jamaica (Source : www.caribtours.co.uk)

 Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Thailand (Source : www.cntraveler.com)

Rooftop of The Ajit Bhawan hotel in Jodphur (Source : indiahotelreviews.blogspot.in)

Amazing moment, not sure where this is though...

Image via Frangipani Decor

Outdoor dining at Villa Ashiyana, Goa

 Somewhere in Brazil..

Deck at Xanta Ashram, Goa 

Not sure where this is...

Inspired pavilion at Alila hotel in Uluwatu, Bali

Verandah at Alila hotel in Manggis, Bali

Page from Anthropologie India Spring Catalog

I am back in New York after a four month sojourn in Goa. If you read my last post, then you know that the project in Goa is progressing on-track and it was (somewhat) safe for me to travel across continents and get my seasonal dose of inspiration, motivation and aggression from New York. More than anything New York makes me push myself. New Yorkers are super-beings, who manage high paced jobs, families, friends while looking great all the time and being in the know on everything... it is a lot of pressure to be all that but New Yorkers do it so effortlessly and I love them for it. When I am in New York, I feel that anything is possible.. It empowers me and gives me another tiny push to continue to follow my passion.

For the past year now, I have been spending around 3-4 months in Goa working on a pilot development project and then a month or so back in New York. Lines are beginning to get blurred now about where home is, what I expect to find in my fridge, friends and conversations...

When in New York, my main agenda (apart from continuing to micro-manage the Goa project) is to see, hear and learn so I continue to get inspired, find ways to put new ideas to work and not let the little things bring me down. The idea is to think big picture, learn from innovations from around the world and absorb the energy from my favorite city.

Interestingly, in Spring I was in New York for the Festival of Ideas and this time around my trip coincides with the Urban Design Week and Climate Week but I narrowly miss the Architecture and Design month...

On my last trip in Spring, I was struck by the focus on India in several places where I typically look for inspiration. I found that more people are looking towards India with hope, attempting to unravel its complexities, blend in with India's treasures in culture, design, history and diversity. Here are a few notable encounters:

Poster for 'Jugaad Urbanism', an exhibition at Center for Architecture in New York

1. 'Jugaad Urbanism', an exhibition at the Center for Architecture

As the name suggests the exhibition and related programs highlighted the innovation in urban design, architecture and building material found in unlikely places in India often without assistance from design and construction professionals or public funding. The exhibition was interesting; I particularly remember a study on the Chawls in Mumbai, with an extensive report and a detailed graphic documentation. More here.

But to tell you honestly, I have very little patience for long studies of problems and solutions that are merely theoretical, snazzy difficult to understand design solutions, and solutions with no implementation plans. Not sure why but solutions from design professionals in India often lack thought on implementation. Most people actually do not care about that aspect at all. I am not saying that theoretical exercises are wrong but only that I have little patience for them as I feel that the time to take action is NOW.

2. Anthropologie May fashion catalog on India.

Anthropologie which is on of my favourite stores picked India as the location and inspiration for their Spring catalog and I have to tell you, the design, photography and fashion blew me away. It made me so proud of being Indian. After looking at that catalog, I bet everyone in the world wanted to be that girl in India. It was a skewed version of reality. But design is for dreamers and the Anthropologie catalog urged us to dream on. Sadly, I can’t seem to find the catalog anywhere online, but you can see some more pictures here

Cover Page of Wallpaper Magazine June 2011

3. 'Reborn in India', June issue of the Wallpaper magazine. 

Wallpaper did an entire issue solely looking at design in India. It highlighted fashion, furniture and architectural design. It was great to get the focus on an international platform but for me the compilation left a lot more to be desired. I felt that they took the easy route and covered all the established big names in the industry. I agree that the big names in the industry have earned it. But I would have personally liked to see a bit more from the new, emerging designers who are either innovating new ways of thinking, or resurrecting traditional techniques and design while working with local craftsman and artists. See more here.

Excerpt from book, 'To India with Love: From New York to Mumbai'

4. Finally, came across the book 'To India with Love: From New York to Mumbai' at a cafe in the Village. Another dreamy collection of India experiences and inspirations from global designers, travellers and revellers presented with great kitschy style. I loved reading through it. You can find some excerpts here.

The agenda for this trip is to: WATCH Spiderman on Broadway; LISTEN to speakers about Leveraging technology in the design process, Governance in Hyderabad and alleviating poverty; VISIT the Brooklyn Flea market and New Dekalb market (built with shipping containers); and SEE Public art by Sol Lewitt.

Hopefully, I will be able to blog about at least a few of these, so stay tuned.