of Solace Sanctum Unwind

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1 Photographs: Shiv Sagar Sanctum of Solace Beautiful bougainvillea flowers mark the original entrance of the original house, note the Mangalore-tiled roof of Turiya peeking from the background. Since the original entrance was in the south, a separate entrance was created in the north-east side of the property to conform to Vastu norms. Here, a bright yellow arch covered with pink bougainvillea and flanked by bamboos gives company to the 150-year old haveli door sourced from Rajasthan. Filled with stories, Turiya, designed and owned by architect Sandesh Prabhu has an old heart it s set in a 100-year-old Portuguese house which has been restored to full glory; with an extension that beautifully balances the old and the new. Text: Deepa Nair; Photographs: Amit Bhandare and Saurabh Dalvi, courtesy Sandesh Prabhu Design Studio 88 BETTER INTERIORS March 2014 march 2017 BETTER INTERIORS 89

2 The front verandah retains the old Portuguese look and feel. Other than creating window panels, this space remains true to its form. The distinct Portuguese-style architecture, sloping Mangaloretiled roof, ornamental columns and balcaos with built-in seating are visible here. Architect Sandesh Prabhu Some homes are special they may not knock you off your feet with ostentatious fine detailing, a luxurious demeanour or simplistic charm, but would captivate you with the many tales it holds within its walls. You can read them in the beautiful furniture and accessories; and uncover them while watching the roof or gazing out of a window. Soul spaces as I like to call them come by rarely in this age of spic and span, modern and no nonsense design. Goa-based Turiya, a boutique villa, owned by Sandesh Prabhu, principal at Mumbai-based Sandesh Prabhu Design Studio, is one such exception that will stay in my memory forever. For Sandesh, it was love at first sight when he stumbled upon an old Portuguese-style house in Canacona, Goa, in Even before entering, I knew this was the one I am very fascinated with anything and everything that is old and has some history, he asserts. Being a Goan, Sandesh always wanted to go back to his roots at some point in his life. He tells me that he always loved Canacona, a quaint little village in South Goa. Canacona is surrounded by some of the state s most beautiful beaches Palolem, Patnem, Galjibag, Agonda alongside over 1,000 acres of forest reserve, the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. It s the best combination of sea and forest which no other part of Goa has to offer. This area is what North Goa used to be like years ago when I was growing up. This made the decision to purchase the house even more special, explains the architect. It came as a surprise when Sandesh mentioned that the house was bought for personal use and there was never a business module in the horizon, till almost two years later. Of course, there is a story behind this move. Apparently, when Sandesh got the house, it had been well-maintained by its previous owner. The 100-year-old mud-house has a distinctive Portuguese style architecture (influences of neo-classic and neo-gothic styles), with its sloping Mangalore tiled roof (a necessity for the long and fierce monsoon) and large, ornamental balcaos (covered porches) and verandahs facing the street. The large balcaos have built-in seating and were originally meant to be a place where men and women could sit together and see and be seen, chat with their neighbours, or just enjoy the evening breeze. The balcaos are bordered by ornamental columns that continue along the steps and add stature to the house. CONCEPT: To design a retreat which stayed true to its original form and structure, and also provide a charming ambience for guests to relax in. The house had three bedrooms, a bathroom at the back, a small kitchen and a decor that was devoid of glamour. So, the excited architect didn t take up any projects for a year and instead, parked himself in Goa for 14 months to design the house as per his requirements. As he loves to cook, the kitchen was made larger, a large 800 sq ft patio was added and an additional bathroom was built too. After styling all the spaces, the house was ready to invite and entertain friends and family. This joyous state went on for another six months when reality came calling It was a white elephant to maintain, Sandesh sighs. And that s when this idea struck me why not open the doors of my house to tourists who visit this area, and give them a taste of the old world? he quips. And, that s how Turiya saw the light of day. When asked about how the house was christened, the architect generously credits the choice of name and all the branding of the Except for incorporating the furniture, furnishings, accessories and artwork, the formal living and dining spaces retains its original charm. Note the lovely 20-foot height of the ceiling space. 90 BETTER INTERIORS March 2014 march BETTER INTERIORS 91

3 This charming hut is the community dining space with a structure of brick, logs and coconut leaves. It would almost pass off as a quaint home in a Goan village. Above left and right The kitchen and the adjoining mini table-setting space was initially very small, so it was extended to meet the needs of the guests. It is done in a modern country style and leads to a small bar area. right The sun plays hide and seek in the passageway which connects the bedrooms to the bathrooms. The floor sees deck tiles laid out in different styles, pebbles and more. property to one of his closest friends, Shiv Sagar. Turiya (or caturiya, chaturtha), refers to the fourth state of consciousness in Hindu philosophy. Turiya is the background that underlies and transcends the three common states of consciousness waking consciousness, dreaming, and dreamless sleep, explains Sandesh. It was decided that Turiya was to be a bed and breakfast place, and hence there were further modifications to the existing property before it was finally opened to public. In the second phase of development, the architect added two bedrooms and three additional bathrooms. But unlike typical ensuite bathrooms in hotels, the bathrooms here are accommodated a few steps away from the rooms and can be reached by a laterite (local stone), cement and seasoned wood extension that was added to the original structure. Though my family and friends warned me about losing business if Turiya didn t offer ensuite bathrooms, I still went with my gut. The house was more important for me and I didn t want to tamper much with the original structure at the cost of losing its charm and being all cramped. So I built an extension and gave them luxurious bathing zones, each one distinct in its design and style, smiles Sandesh. The community dining area has a large 12-seater, custom-made wooden dining table and chairs. Plush single seaters, a chest of drawers and handpicked accessories complete the look. 92 BETTER INTERIORS March march BETTER INTERIORS 93

4 This double spread Three of the five bedrooms in Turiya open out into this patio that overlooks the garden. This 800 sq ft space dons a traditional red oxide floor and has an interesting mix of laterite seaters decked with beautiful cushions, single seaters, hand-painted coffee tables, lanterns, artwork and unusual accessories picked up by Sandesh during his travels. 94 BETTER INTERIORS March March 2014 BETTER INTERIORS 95

5 Clockwise, from this image Almost 3,000 sq ft of space in the property is dictated by a verdant landscape which is dotted with sapodilla, coconut, mango, avocado and frangipani trees. Guests can also walk through lush lawns and laze on a hammock. All the five bedrooms of Turiya are named after Hindu nakshatras. Seen here is the Ashwini room which is beautifully decorated with paintings, rugs and custom-designed furniture. The bathroom has an open to sky shower area. The Ardra room has a lavish bed with bedside lamps, wooden trunks and cupboards, and some unique accessories. Its bathroom retains the old tiling seen in Portuguese homes and has a neatly distributed shower and washbasin area. 96 BETTER INTERIORS March March march BETTER INTERIORS 97

6 {CentreStage} Unwind Unwind Clockwise, from top left The Bharni bedroom with its cement flooring, dark wood bed and cupboard makes for a lovely space. The cosy seating corner and the window with flowing sheers adds more drama. The lovely entrance lobby sets the mood for the Bharni bathroom. Like the other bathrooms at Turiya, this one too has been pampered by the architect, which can be seen in the use of IPS flooring, soft rugs, a custom-made vanity and mirror, walls decorated with floral motifs and a luxurious sunken bathing area. Another point of debate was the absence of air-conditioning in the house. Again, the architect decided to follow his heart. Therefore, to retain the luxury and beauty of the 20-foot-high ceilings, French windows and doors were added for cross ventilation in all the rooms. Additionally, the Mangalore tiled roof was covered with coconut leaves for insulation. In the bedrooms, Sandesh also added large ornamental windows with stucco mouldings. These may appear purely decorative but have their origins in similar mouldings in the windows of Portuguese houses. Earlier, these elements of style were devices to help sailors identify their homes at a distance as they sailed in. The design is therefore an import but serves a similar purpose in Goa to help construct the identity of the home, the architect reveals. A larger kitchen space to facilitate the guests needs, a staff quarter, kitchen garden and a puja area were also incorporated. But the most unusual extension has been the community dining space which was built amidst the greens and stands separate from the main house. Constructed from bricks, coconut logs and coconut tree leaves, this space was originally designed by the architect just for a year. But the rugged charm of this quaint hut is so enticing that it stands strong even today. This is the space, where all the guests meet for breakfast during their stay here. What is delightful, and I must add unique too, are the elements read, furniture, furnishings, and accessories, artwork that have been thoughtfully incorporated in the decor of Turiya. Many of the pieces used here, such as the mirror frames, or handles of certain cabinets, have actually been salvaged Materials Flooring Situ (terrazzo in situ), Indian patent stone (IPS) and redoxide Walls, built-in seaters Laterite stone Ceiling Mangalore tiles, coconut leaves, jackfruit and coconut logs Furniture Wood 98 BETTER INTERIORS March 2017 march 2017 BETTER INTERIORS 99

7 {CentreStage} Unwind Unwind Clockwise, from top left Live music, roaring fires, fur blankets, plush leather seating, and slatted wooden dividers make The Bar and Living Room, located directly in front of the main entrance, warm and inviting. Designed by Yasuhiro Koichi of Tokyo-based SPIN Studio, The Restaurant is an all-day diner. Notice the small lights on the brick wall that look like twinkling stars, adding a dash of romance to the atmosphere. The Rohini is just another example of how Sandesh has consciously given every bedroom a distinct identity, yet has not deviated from the villa s core design philosophy. In the bathroom, the shower area transports you to a waterfall with its rocky terrain and lush greenery. from scraps! A talented team of local carpenters worked closely with Sandesh to create these gems as the space had been designed on a low budget. It comes as no wonder then, when Sandesh tells me that his manager often call him when a guest expresses interest in an accessory or furniture piece and would like to know where it has been picked up from. From the architecture to the handpicked interior decor, Turiya is the perfect marriage of the old and the new. But, what I find most enchanting is the architect s generosity in allowing guests to experience and rejoice in the luxury of the space and peace that surrounds this property. His resolve to refrain from falling into a commercial trap and present a space that is true to its roots is praise worthy. The result is a house with an open heart a retreat where you can get lost in a quite corner with a book, take a stroll amidst the coconut, mango and sapodilla trees and smell the sweet frangipani, sit around a campfire at night, hear life stories from other guests, or simply laze around and do nothing at all... it s almost home, and much more. Fact File: Project Turiya, a boutique villa Location Canacona, Goa Area 1,500 square metres Built-up area 7,500 sq ft Client and principal architect Sandesh Prabhu Carpenter Madan Sharma Painter/Polishing Umachand Nishad Electricals Micheal Mathew 100 BETTER INTERIORS March 2017