The First House takes you back in time to celebrate tropical, Goan architecture. Comforting you in its intricacies, nostalgic tiled roof and embellished pilasters, evokes a sense of bygone vintage luxury while it matures into subtle, modernist values with colors used. The villa breathes into lush greenery, quaint seating in the backyard overlooking the greens, polished wood furniture with textured, floral upholstery. Isn’t that exactly the Susegad Way of Life we want, for a short respite? ~Yamini Vaswani
Celebrating Tropical Architecture and Traditional Goan Spatial Luxury in this Villa Design | Busride Design Studio
Visit: Busride Design Studio
The First House is a plush Portuguese Colonial home, a contemporary villa design that was originally built in 1896, tucked away in the idyllic village of Saligao. Set on 2 acres of serenity where refined elegance meets total relaxation, step into a world of luxury and comfort. This charming 10 bedroom villa has been meticulously renovated by Ayaz Basrai of The Busride Studio and the interiors have a sense of grandeur while retaining the warmth of a home. The interiors feel timeless, combining an old world allure with modern amenities. It has high ceilings, tastefully furnished and air-conditioned en-suite rooms, with large verandas, abundant natural light, lots of open spaces and gardens adorned with flowers and trees, giving the perfect balance between relaxing Goan-Portuguese culture and contemporary luxury. The Villa has 2 large pools, with an unparalleled view of paddy fields. There is a comfortable cabana and well manicured lawns in the property. The Villa also has an outdoor Jacuzzi by the pools. This fully serviced Villa is the ideal place to celebrate milestone occasions.
The then Portuguese Consul to the British colony of Aden (now a part of Yemen), Luis Jose de S. Lourençe Mendonca, built the original house on the property called “Canteira” (meaning flower beds) in 1896. The family continued living in the house till 1996. In 2004, it was sold to Darryl Pereira, who restored and renovated the neglected structure, using elements of Indo-Portuguese architecture.
Being environmentally conscious, Darryl setup the energy, waste and water systems in a way that became examples ofsustainable living.
In 2020, Darryl sold the house to Rakhee and Rakesh Shah, who had moved to Guirim, Goa from Mumbai. They shared the same passion for the Goan house and instantly fell in love with the property.
Having led life in a fast paced entrepreneurial environment, they decided that it was time to stop and enjoy the Goan pace of life and hence The First House project was conceived. They put in a lot of effort to renovate it and bring it up to standards of a luxury villa with all the mod cons, whilst retaining its original splendor and charm. Their personal touch can be seen all though, giving The First House it’s warmth and welcoming feeling
Fact File
Designed By: Busride Design Studio
Typology: Residence Architecture & Interior Design
Project Name: The First House
Location: Goa
Principal Architect: Ayaz Basrai
Firm’s Website Link: Busride Design Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Busride Design Studio
For Similar Projects >> Le Tranquil : Modern Minimalist House of Tropical Architecture
Editors’ Note – This colonial house in Delhi carries an ambience of grandeur, infused with the elegance of Victorian-style colonialism. Expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas open into light-filled spaces framed by large glazing that connect seamlessly to the surrounding landscape. Inside, tropical interiors with bold geometry add a contemporary layer of comfort. The residence […]
“Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]
In the layered urban grain of Manjeri, the Timeless House reimagines a 1970s sloping roof residence through careful transformation. It’s a home that doesn’t shout for attention, but quietly repositions itself within its time and place, a sensitive reinterpretation of memory, material, and movement. Originally built in 1972, the house was structurally sound, featuring load-bearing […]
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]