Sakshi R Ghodake

Our love for flowers continues and Goa is vested with a bounty of gorgeous bright flowers that bloom profusely throughout the year. Following is a list of a some locally found species that are grow well in Goa.

Cordia Sebestena L. Tree

Cordia Sebestena L.

Common Name: Aloe Wood, Orange Geiger Tree.
Color: Orange.
Fruiting: Blooms throughout the year, particularly in the spring and summer.
Occasionally seen in gardens, can be seen in Kala academy and Garcia da Orta academy.

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Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold

Common Name: Oleander.
Color: Yellow, pink & white.
Fruiting: Blooms from summer to fall.
Is usually planted as a hedge plant and maintained as a shrub.

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Allamanda Cathartica

Allamanda Cathartica

Common Name: Allamanda Golden-Trumpet Golden, Trumpet Vine, Yellow Allamanda.
Color:Yellow, pink & white color.
Fruiting: It blooms from spring to summer.

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Plumeria Rubra L. Tree

Plumeria Rubra L.

Common Name: Champa
Color: Yellow, pink & white
Fruiting: Blooms from early summer to fall.

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Albizia Julibrissin Rosea

Common Name: Silktree
Color: Pink
Fruiting: Blooms from early summer.

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Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Common Name: Peacock flower
Color: Yellow, orange, red
Fruiting: Blooms from late summer to fall.

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Brugmansia plant

Brugmansia

Common Name: Angel’s Trumpet
Color: Yellow, white
Fruiting: Flowers in mid to late spring in warm climates and continue into the fall (autumn), often continuing as late as early winter in warm conditions.

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Mussaenda erythrophylla

Common Name: Ashanti blood, red flag bush and tropical dogwood
Color: Pink, white, red
Fruiting: Blooms from March to June.

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Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Common Name: Hibiscus
Color: Pink, white, red, yellow
Fruiting: Blooms throughout the year.

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Nyctaginaceae.

Common Name: Bougainvillea
Color: Pink, white, yellow
Fruiting: Blooms from May to December.

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Ixora coccinea

Common Name: Scarlet Jungle Flame, Flame of the Woods
Color: Pink, white, yellow, orange, red
Fruiting: Blooms from spring to fall.

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FLOWERING CREEPERS

Campsis Radicans

Common Name: trumpet creeper
Color: Yellow, orange, red
Fruiting: Blooms during summer months.

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Clerodendrum thomsoniae

Common Name: Bleeding-heart, Bleeding Heart Vine
Color: White, red
Fruiting: Blooms during summer season.

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Thunbergia laurifolia

Common Name: Blue Trumpet Vine, Laurel-Leared Thunbergia, Laurel Clock Vine
Color: Pale blue, purple
Fruiting: Blooms from August to September.

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All Photographs are from the internet.

Sakshi Ghodake

Goa provides a trail of colorful wild flowers to be explored, specially during and post-monsoon. These flowers are not just creating beautiful travel spots in Goa but are also a part of the Goan lifestyle and culture. The wildflowers are used as medicinal herbs and help to improve the soil health, prevent erosion, improve the water quality.

Utricularia Malabarica are not so commonly seen, but are found on some plateaus in Goa. They are endemic to the laterite plateaus of the Western Ghats.

Harna (Senecio Bombayensis)

Impatiens Balsamina

The Impatiens flowers (above) represents Gauri and are worshipped during Ganesh Chaturthi in some villages of Canacona. The yellow colored flowers which blooms in August-September, known as Harna or Sonki in Konkani.
Impatiens Balsamina are native to Western Ghats and locally known as Chiddo which is usually found along roadsides, open green spaces. They are used in various rituals like Shravan month’s Aayatar Poojan, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc.

Wild Til (Sesame Orientalis)

Dhobi’s Handkerchief (Mussaenda Frondosa)

The Wild Til’s are bell-shaped pink flowers, seen almost everywhere in Goa during monsoons. As the name suggests, these are a wild variety of sesame seeds. The pods contain these tiny seeds.
The shrub of Dhobi’s Handkerchief flower grows like a wild creeper on other trees. The bract beneath the tiny orange flowers is white in color. It is locally known as Patri and is integral part of wild leaves and flowers, offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Tiger Claws (Gloriosa Superba)

Wild Turmeric (Curcuma Aromatica)

Tiger Claws or Glory Lily is a bright yellow-red colored flower with an unusual shape. It is a vine which is usually found in forested areas. These pretty flowers are poisonous and toxic.
Wild turmeric blooms during monsoon season. It is recognized as a medical herb with strong antibiotic properties.

Pagoda Flower (Clerodendrum paniculatum)

Pagoda flowers as represented (above) are a bunch of bright orange-red colored flowers that blooms during the monsoon period. These are mostly seen in green open spaces and are cultivated in gardens for their impressive flower display.

Celosia argentea

Buttonhead Pipewort

Celosia Argentea commonly known as Silver Cock’s Comb is said to be edible before it flowers. It is good for sight and controlling diabetes. These plants are a part of Goan diet in monsoon season and especially the Hindu month of Shravan and Ganesh Chaturthi as vegetarian cuisines are most preferred. The best species are seen on the plateaus.
The Buttonhead Pipewort are mostly found on plateaus near water bodies.

Little Persian Violet

Look for these gorgeous gifts of nature that flower abundantly in the Goan countryside, on the roadsides and fallow fields. People travel the world in search for wildflowers. Goa is home to many, only if one can slow down to observe and appreciate them. We at Grounded, hope to utilize these in our landscape design as well.

If you live in Goa or are considering a move to Goa, keep your eyes open for these beauties!
Inspired by Arti Das. For more information do visit here.

“Flowers are the music of the ground.
From earth’s lips spoken without sound”.
-Edwin Curran

I grew up in Delhi and I have distinct memories of the trees that I grew up amongst. These trees are sometimes more important in my memories than the people. I guess I lived in a bit of a dream world where these trees played a salient role. Here I have attempted a compilation of my most memorable flowers and flowering trees. 

champaka

Champaka tree

Champaka
Scientific name: Magnolia champaca

Champaka flowers are one of my favorite. They have a magical scent and are available in white and yellow color. They bloom during April to September. These are popular flowering tree varieties of Goa. If you live in Goa, then you can often find women selling bunches of these wonderfully fragrant flowers at the Mandovi bridge in Panjim.

parijat

Parijat
Scientific name: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

Another favorite is Parijat, even though the tree is a bit scruffy, the flowers are glorious with a heady scent. These flowers are aesthetically very pleasing with a white head and an orange stem. These flowers always drop at night, so early morning, one is welcomed by a carpet of white & orange blossoms on the ground with a heavenly smell. I have fond childhood memories of making my way to this tree each morning during flowering season and collecting as many as I could and then fixing the flowers into each other to make flower ornaments. I also remember grinding them for their orange color :)

franjipani/ champa

Champa tree

Champa
Scientific name: Plumeria Rubra L.

Champa or Frangipani, comes in various whites and pink color. We had a big Champa tree just outside my family's house in Delhi. The tree flowered throughout the year, had white flowers with a yellow heart and a strong perfume. Ah, my memories of this tree and the flowers... They would play a role in all my pretend-plays, end up dried between books, stuck in collages and made into garlands. Champa is a favorite choice for landscape design, and simply transforms the any area with its beautiful form. It maybe a tad over-used at this point but if used correctly it still retains its magic!

kachnar/ apta

Kachnar/ Apta
Scientific name: Bauhinia purpurea

Bauhinia purpurea are available in white and pink color. These flowers bloom during October to January. We had a large purple-Kachnar tree that grew close to our house. It would flower profusely and was a sight to behold. Sometimes, my dad and I would go to the tree in the early morning to pick flowers that my grandmom would later cook the flower. Unfortunately, I do not remember the taste of the dish.

pongamia

Pongamia tree

Pongamia
Scientific name: Millettia pinnata

Pongamia is available in white color and it usually blooms during May to December. This was a large tree close to our house and I loved its flowers that had a beautiful scent. I found there clusters to be soft and romantic. But I remember that they would wilt really easily so whenever, I tried to bring them home, they would not last a long time.

bottlebrush

Bottle Brush
Scientific name: Melaleuca citrina (Curtis) Dum.Cours.

Bottle brush is red in color and it blooms during Febraury to May. We would find these trees in the district park close to our home in Delhi. I loved this flower as it was so unique, resembled a bottle brush and the possibilities of its use in pretend-play were infinite!

Inspired by the book ‘Tress of Delhi’, by author Pradip Krishen. Read the book here.

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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Jahnvi Raj

We at Team Grounded decided to switch things up & head to Hampi for a road trip. For anyone living in Goa, Hampi is a nice road trip to consider which is only a 6.5-hour drive away and dotted with ancient architectural gems from the Vijayanagara Empire. On Day 2 we visited the Achyutraya Temple in the morning. The Achyutraya Temple Complex is a group of three temples located in Hampi, built in the 16th century during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire, and is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha.

The intricate detailing in stone at the Achyutraya temple complex.

We did a little design exercise here by splitting up into teams to map out the site plan of the temple complex. It was great fun, and we got to study the proportions of the temple. Our objective for this exercise was to see the various design principles at play & to access the ratios when it came to the division of spaces and the use of scale and proportions.

The team discussing the layout of the Achyutraya Temple

Later in the day, we visited the Queen’s Bath and the Zenana Enclosure. The structures in the compound were indeed an architectural and engineering masterpiece. The enclosure is believed to have been the private quarters of the royal women. The largest palace base excavated at Hampi, the site is now a pleasant garden where one can laze under the beautiful trees around.

The vaulted ceiling of the Lotus Mahal

Watchtower at the Zenana Enclosure.
Sketches by Ar.Sarth

Queen’s Bath

Later that day we visited the Vijaya Vithala Temple at sunset. Vijaya Vithala Temple is one of the most iconic and historically significant structures in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is known for its exquisite stone carvings and intricate architecture, and during sunset, it takes on an entirely different character.

The famous Stone Chariot at Vijaya Vitthala

The musical pillars of Vijaya Vitthala

As the sun began to set, the sky took on a warm, golden glow, casting a magical light over the temple complex. The intricate stone carvings, which were already impressive during the daytime, took on a new level of beauty as they were bathed in the warmth of the setting sun.

A magnificent Champa tree welcomes the visitors to the Maha-mandapa.
In frame: Ar. Shrunkhala

Vijaya Vitthala during sunset.

We were awestruck by the sense of peace and tranquillity that pervades the complex as we took our time to explore the various halls and pavilions at leisure. As the sun set, the sky transformed into a range of hues, from deep oranges and pinks to soft purples and blues, creating a stunning backdrop for the temple's magnificent structure.

Photograph Credits: Members of the team at Grounded.

If Hampi is to be described in a single word, it would be Majestic. The capital city of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire still takes your breath away, six centuries after its downfall. Team Grounded took a trip to Hampi from our studio this January. For anyone living in Goa, Hampi is an ideal destination for a road trip, just 6.5 hours away. On day 1, we visited the stunning Virupaksha temple complex and the surrounding Hemakuta hill.

The nine-tiered Gopuram of the Virupaksha in itself is an architectural masterpiece. The temple complex is a must-visit site for every architecture/history enthusiast, with its intricate detailing dating back to the 7th century.

The Virupaksha Temple

The highlight of our day was the stunning sunset from atop the Hemakuta Hill. The play of light over the historic temples nestled amidst the beautiful boulders of the Hampi landscape was simply breathtaking. The evening sun seemed to echo the grandeur of the once magnificent Vijayanagar Empire to its visitors.

Sunset from atop the Hemakutas

Pushkarani at the Krishna temple

The twin Champa trees framing a Hanuman temple.

Immortalizing the moment through art. Sketch by our Ar. Shrunkhala & Intern Prajakta.

Team Grounded at the Hemakuta Hills.

Photograph Credits: Members of the team at Grounded.

Packing a punch, I have found a tiny old Portuguese house for sale in Goa from around the 1860’s that I have snapped up to house my young family and my studio. For anyone moving to Goa or looking to live in Goa, finding an old house and restoring it is a dream. It may be tiny but is full of character, the simple character of space and light, not any opulent details. The land is only 600 sq.m. but has two full grown Mango trees, one Chikoo tree, two Coconut trees and one Bimbli tree.

The idea of the house is mainly for my two young daughters to connect with the land. For them to pick fruits from trees, watch birds, count butterflies and pet snails. We will be restoring this home as simply as possible. The design will be focused on creating ‘play’ opportunities for my kids. There will be a slide inside the house for my kids (an idea that has stuck with me when I saw a slide at Nisha’s Playschool designed by Gerard de Cunha some 25 years ago). There will be swings hung on the mango tree. The house will also have a tunnel and a crow’s nest.

Restoring an old house in Goa is a fun project. Keep an eye out for further updates.

Take a walkthrough Terracotta House, a luxury house for sale in Goa. Part of a two villa development in North Goa.

Find more details, here.

Inquire here.

Indoor-Outdoor Spaces at Terracotta House

Towards the end of last year, we launched two villas for sale in North Goa. The two villas are located adjacent to each other and are yet independent and unique in their design.

Both villas are 3.5 BHK with a separate study on an approx. 500 sq.m. piece of land. One villa is sold and one villa, the Terracotta House is currently available for sale.

Below are some renderings of the same. Contact us for more details.

An expansive verandah at Terracotta House in Goa

Dining at Terracotta House in Goa

Open Shower at Terracotta House in Goa

Images sourced from Anupama Kundoo

Wall House in Auroville is an experimental house designed by sustainability champion Anupama Kundoo. The architecture employs a play in proportions to create comfortable yet dramatic spatial envelopes. The house is built entirely with locally sourced materials in new, innovative ways to create soothing, earthy spaces that respond to the warm, humid climate.

Wall House is predominantly constructed with the vernacular ‘Achukkal’ brick, once ubiquitous to the building landscape in Tamil Nadu. Known for their unique flat, thin profiles and their distinctive red colour, Achukkal bricks are typically made out of left-over silt that is collected from farmlands around. They are then shaped by hand and fired in clay ovens for strength and stability. The bricks are deemed to be extremely sustainable, given their long life, low cost of production, and the sparing amounts of energy use for manufacturing.

The earthy palette and warm finishes move beyond the brick walls and are found throughout the house. The august clay pot vault above the double-height living space and the innovative filler slab roof above the dining area are particularly worthy of mention.

Each facade of Wall House sports unique fenestrations that bring in fresh air and ample daylight. On one side, a series of louvered windows built out of local mango wood and completed with unpolished granite stone come into sight. On the other side, a series of pivoting ferrocement screens open the house to the verdant landscape around when open, and bring beautiful light and shadow patterns indoors when closed.