Down by the river

A filmmaker’s dream home in a North Goan village crafted by Ini Chatterji and designVAN

11 Mar 2025

“It was quite in the boonies!” exclaims filmmaker Shirsha Guha Thakurta as she recalls the initial time when she purchased land in the island-village of Calvim, near Aldona in North Goa.

Although barely anyone had heard of this location, its verdant setting by the banks of a winding river and surrounded by fields proved idyllic for her forever home. She yearned to be close to nature, languidly napping in the sultry breeze, or hopping out on a rowboat at the drop of a hat.

To materialise these visions, she brought on board veteran architect Ini Chatterji, who conceived the project with his signature contemporary tropical sensibilities. Ini masterfully sited the home to overlook the river, dividing it into two linear bays, each framing multiple countryside views. The 4,050 sq ft expanse encompasses a living, dining and kitchen area on the lower level; whereas three ensuites occupy the upper level. Structural elements in steel and exposed concrete were paired with extensive use of coconut wood to garner a distinct visual identity.

Shirsha desired a steady flow of breeze and plenty of light throughout the house, leading to a largely open-plan configuration where spaces merge into each other and the inhabitants – whether two-legged or four – can freely wander about.

“The kitchen has become the soul of the home. This is where everyone gathers, cooks and shares meals together” – Shirsha Guha Thakurta

Contrasting strikingly with the oak wood veneer cabinets below, is the black-IPS-topped island counter in the kitchen. In the background is the dining area with a large window offering views of the garden and the river beyond; Photography credits Kunal Bhatia

Additionally, a fenestration system with wide openings, louvred mesh screens, and glass panels at floor and ceiling levels was devised to maximise daylight. Ashika Singh and Vazir Nadaph of designVAN worked closely with Shirsha on the architectural detailing.

Terrazzo flooring seamlessly connects spaces, vertical louvres filter incoming light, and ledges running alongside windows are extended to create a unifying design element that manifests in various ways – a shelf for curios in the living area, a bench in the deck, a working platform in the kitchen, or a desk in the bedroom.

While all spaces have been personalised for a sense of belonging, for Shirsha, the highlight of her dwelling is the kitchen and dining area. “The kitchen has become the soul of the home. This is where everyone gathers, cooks and shares meals together, and chats away into the wee hours,” she adds, contentedly.