the fragmented 'villa in the palms' integrates native coconut trees in india

india-based firm abraham john architects completes its ‘villa in the palms,’ named for the nineteen towering coconut palms that have thrived for decades on the land, and have informed the project’s concept and footprint. the residence is embedded into the natural landscape of the western coastal state of goa, india. villa in the palms is designed with a village-like organization as pockets of small homes nestle between the 80-year-old coconut trees, and is nearly invisible from points further up the approach road. the native trees are integrated into the structure, offering a rooted presence.

image by edmund sumner

abraham john architects makes use of the natural elements of the site as a design tool in the effort toward their preservation. rather than laying out the program as a solid mass, the team developed a porous organization through which the native palms grow. not a single tree was felled during construction of villa, whereas a regular building block would have required the disruption of several trees to accommodate the program. the consequently fragmented structure is reminiscent of an traditional goan village. the four bedrooms on the ground floor are designed as individual suites, each with an internal courtyard as well as a garden in the front and rear. these independent volumes are interconnected with a network of decks, passages and bridges that meander through the trees and over pools and gardens.

image by alan abraham

the design adopts distinct features and materials native to the tropical coastal state of goa. exposed local laterite stone walls thermally and visually shield each room, maintaining privacy while orienting for the best views of the northern field. sloping roofs and screens are made from 100-year-old recycled teak wood, while the landscape design consists of local tropical species that maintain their lush greenery throughout the year. roofs pitched at various angles pay homage to the monsoons and accentuate the staccato nature and fragmented aesthetic of the building. the interstitial roofs which cap each unit individually harvest rainwater, while further visually integrating the building in the lush landscape.

image by alan abraham