Kasu Vana, a set of five, four-bedroom villas neatly tucked away in a quiet corner of Assagao in Goa, were envisioned as the perfect hideaway. Designed by Sameep Padora and team of the Mumbai-based sP+a architects, each villa was conceptualised and built around the lush forest that envelopes it, an overarching approach that extended to the interiors as well, imagined by Neha Sapre, Principle Architect of Studio Taan.
“The architect's approach was to merge the built with the unbuilt—this allowed the ‘forest' or the ‘vana' to take centre stage,” says Sapre. “While conceptualising the interiors we were mindful to follow this approach too, designing with clean lines and a neutral palette, that would blend into the background and make the surroundings the focus.”
We explore the details of one of the villas.
Pa材料lette
The rich, local material palette sourced from the surrounding landscape, allows the texture of the natural materials define the tonality of the space. Laterite, an indigenous stone, is used as an accent in the double height living room; large slabs of Kota stone in the public spaces enhance the expanse of the living and the dining rooms, while in the bedrooms, the stone is cut into smaller strips and laid in a herringbone pattern, adding another layer of texture. Small details draw the eye to the topography of the landscape: along the walkway on the upper level, varying shades of plaster mimic the undulating levels of the site, accented with brass strokes hand painted by an artist. “The main challenge in the design process was exercising restraint. In a context as beautiful as this, the interiors had to play a complementary role, letting nature be the focal point. We chose a neutral yet balanced colour palette that would blend in with the surroundings, and developed a language that was minimal in its aesthetic, luxurious in its feel and casual in its functionality,” notes Sapre.
Living Room
The double height living room looks out into the forest. The fabric lights complement the volume by creating a dramatic ambience in the evenings, while doubling as subtle accents during the day. The handpicked furniture is luxurious yet casual, encouraging one to lounge in the space.
