Ode to Goan-Portuguese heritage

This contemporary Goan villa designed by ARA

Design is where tropical modernism meets

heritage charm.

Photos by Isprava

Photo credit: Isprava

Embracing Nature's Majesty

In the sun-drenched lanes of Goa, Estate de Carmo emerges as a contemporary homage to the region’s Goan-Portuguese heritage. Designed by ARA Design for the luxury developer Isprava, this 4,500 sq.ft. villa is a quiet statement in tropical modernism—rooted in its location yet responsive to the evolving aesthetic of open, light-filled living.

Embracing heritage with a modern lens

The client brief was clear: to design a home that embodies the warmth and elegance of traditional Goan-Portuguese homes while aligning with the openness and fluidity of contemporary architecture. “We were creating a home that fits into the modern, contemporary standard of spaces and openness—very unlike what traditional Goan homes used to be,” shares principal architect Amey Dahanukar.

The spatial narrative of the villa unfolds gradually—ushering guests through a welcoming entrance courtyard that evokes a Spanish sensibility, before transitioning seamlessly into a distinctly Goan layout. The home pivots around its green spine: a lush backyard with the living room overlooking a private pool, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out.

A dining pavilion that floats in nature

At the heart of the home lies the show-stopping dining pavilion, a glass-encased volume that opens into the courtyard on two sides. “The idea was to create a floating zone, surrounded entirely by trees and landscape,” says Dahanukar. Black-framed windows, influenced by Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, accentuate the geometry and bring in dappled light—a conscious nod to tropical modernism.

This interplay of light and shadow, movement and stillness, becomes a defining feature throughout the home. “It’s about creating a sense of stillness while allowing light to choreograph its own rhythm across the day,” he adds.

Grounded by topography, elevated by design

The villa’s architectural response to its site is thoughtful and deliberate. Bordered by roads on two sides and set within a sloping plot, privacy became a guiding force in the design. A front boundary wall conceals the villa from the street, while the structure opens up completely at the back, drawing focus to its natural surroundings.

“The high contours and slopes helped us define the layout. They gave us an opportunity to isolate spaces like the pool without the need for heavy screening,” explains Dahanukar. It’s a site-responsive design that turns constraints into spatial opportunities.

Locally rooted materials, timeless sensibilities

Materiality plays a subtle but critical role in Estate de Carmo’s identity. ARA Design was mindful of embracing Goa’s local palette—from laterite stone columns to the generous use of white plaster, lush green landscape, and the calming presence of blue water. These elements come together to create a restrained yet rich sensory palette that feels both contextual and elevated.

“There are only a few materials used—but they’ve been chosen for their authenticity and ability to age beautifully,” says Dahanukar. The use of locally available materials not only reduced the home’s environmental footprint but also ensured that it sat gently within its surroundings.

A villa shaped by courtyards and calm

What truly sets Estate de Carmo apart is its choreography of open courtyards and green pockets that punctuate every part of the home. “Every space opens into a green area. You always feel like you’re walking in and out, without realising where the roof begins or ends,” he reflects.

This blurring of thresholds—from structure to nature, indoors to outdoors—is the soul of the home. It’s a villa that quietly captures the spirit of Goa—slow, sunlit, and timeless—while remaining distinctly modern in language and luxury in feel.

With Estate de Carmo, ARA Design delivers more than just a residence—it crafts an experience, one where heritage, nature, and modern living meet in seamless harmony.