“In Conversation With” is a new interview series that profiles some of India’s most unique, inspiring designers and architects. In Episode 1, architect and interior designer Ritu Nanda showcases Villa Cosmos 108, a luxury villa she and her team designed in Assagaon, North Goa. The villa was handed over to the client in November 2021.
“I think the large part of the inspiration came from the property,” says Ritu. “It fascinated me – to try and feel like you’re closer to the tree tops, giving the pool a slightly floaty feel, the certain quality of light that filters through the entire house.
You can imagine something, but for it to actually happen is the work of several minds.
For this home, we designed an open-to-sky courtyard as soon as you arrive. I think that it brought to light, how the home is an indoor and outdoor space – quite seamless.
You feel like you’re not sure if you’re within the house, or outside of it.
I try to pick materials that look a little bit destroyed. It’s lovely to have things in the house that seem like they’ve been found. And really they are found objects.
These aren’t very fussy homes – easy to find, easy to live in, easy to maintain. However, the properties are large, and gardens are big, and all of that makes them quite luxurious.
We actually chose to use the onion as an inspiration (for one of the rooms), there’s a sort of tonality of of pinks and old rose. The deeper you go into the layers, you might find a deeper red, which we’ve also used.
The weather conditions here in Goa are very tropical, and fairly unkind, so it’s important for us to create deep verandahs, with overhangs.
I’ve enjoyed living here, and sort of studying the Goa weather conditions. I think of myself as a little bit of a weatherman – wake up in the morning, and wonder if it’s a good day to go to the beach.
To me, the most important aspect of designing homes is creating a lifestyle. The idea of how you would sleep, and eat, and entertain, and enjoy your garden, the way you feel when you wake up in the morning, or bathe. To me, those are the essentials.
Featured goa Ritu Nanda Design villa in Goa
Last modified: July 21, 2023
