SAV architecture shapes modern tropical house that flows with indian landscape

located in the tropical and sea side state of goa in west india, the ‘sun house’ was designed by sav architecture + design, a firm based in london, mumbai and goa. inspired by the fiery nature of the sun, the architects created the house with local red laterite stone exterior walls, large sun screens, and a double height brick-clad entrance and living spaces. the house’s geometry is derived from the landscape, with an emphasis on bold sweeping strokes, fluid lines and large overhangs that reflect in the interior spaces. 

the sun house has louvered entrance verandah creating an inviting and perforated entrance to the house with local laterite walls on the entrance and southern facades that allow for cooler temperatures

working with a constrained and tight site, unusual for holiday homes, and with little views, the architects focused on creating a house that faces inwards. the residence draws the elements of nature towards itself and exposes them in its interiors. the exposed brick wall forms the central spine of the house changing its course as it moves to the double height living space, creating a dynamic and sweeping effect. the curved living space becomes sunken, designed to be in line with the level of the pool outside. this creates a poetic visual bridge with the water, and features an amphitheatre-like seating. 

the floating teak wood open riser staircase with brass rods as the balustrade create layers of texture and an elegant materiality that flows through the entire house

the double height doors of the living room slide and fold to open the interiors where it connects to the pool. the architects used a simple, minimal and locally available material palette that allowed them to stay true to the architectural experiences. the chosen materials also focus on on the craftsmanship and details as well as nature and the connection to the outdoors. constructed out of in-situ concrete, the exposed concrete roof and floors lend a seamlessness to the interiors while also keeping the house cool in the tropical weather of goa. 

the lobby space was designed to be cool meditative one with the chairs were designed as sculptural objects elevating the minimal and elemental mood

designed artistically, the house still responds to its tropical climate with large overhangs and shaded courtyard green spaces. the overhangs and sloping roofscapes are reflected in the internal spaces and through its varying slopes and angles, generating unique spatial moments across the entire house. the entrance of the house is designed with a brick-lined wall over a linear, shallow pool with large sun screens on the south wall that create both a reflective and performative mood as soon as guests enter the house. 

the architects created the open plan dining to be a fun, fresh and light space that beautifully blends the local with the modern

the floating teak open riser stairs with its brass rods create layers of texture and materiality that flow through the entire house. the open plan dining and kitchen is designed to be a fun, fresh and light space that beautifully blends a local and international feel. it features goan-portuguese inspired traditional cement tiled flooring, local granite counters, a high spec modern kitchen, and bright furniture. shaped around an internal courtyard on both sides, the kitchen and dining areas receive a lot of light, natural ventilation and a constant connection to the outdoors. 

the curved living space is a sunken one designed to be in line with the level of the pool outside creating a poetic visual bridge with ‘water’ with its amphitheatre like seating

on the first level, the stairs end with an open plan mezzanine space that looks onto the double height sunken living. the unique lights were designed by the architects and were inspired by the architectural lines of the house. all the bedrooms open up through fluid, sweeping white corridors that provide an element of surprise within the house. each bedroom has a unique connection to the outdoors, while the master room has a large private terrace that looks onto a louvered courtyard on one side and the pool onto another. 

the architects wanted the double height sunken living space of the sun house to create a force of feeling like the sun itself

fitted timber joinery as well as hints of bold colour in textiles and art provide a contrasting warmth to the minimal and meditative architectural palettes. one of the most important spaces in the house are all the bath spaces, and all five of them are designed to create a strong connection to the fiery nature of materials, top lit skylights as well as to the fluid spatial lines of the house.

the double height living with its fiery brick wall, geometrical lines and dynamic shape is designed to create powerful emotions, through the narrative spirit of spaces

the bar and poker room spaces around the pool side offer a mix of chic interiors with crafted furniture with a strong connection to the tropical plants outside. both spaces face the pool as well as the inner courtyards they look onto. the landscape around the pool, although not large, takes its cues from the dramatic lines of the house, creating spaces that flow in and out seamlessly lending a dynamic and picturesque quality to the space. 

the overhangs and sloping roofscapes reflects within the internal spaces and through its varying slopes and angles generating unique spatial moments across the entire house

the architects created the terrace seating area to have a clean bold look with large plants that complemented the handcrafted teak sofa sets

the sun house has a central curved courtyard with topical ferns that rise up towards the sky giving cool shaded light and natural ventilation to the adjoining internal spaces 

each of the bath spaces in the sun house is as dramatic and experiential as the rest of the house

the pool and landscape were designed to feel like part of the house itself , dramatically moving in shape and form to blend seamlessly together

project info:

project name: sun house 

architecture firm (architecture + interiors + landscape): sav architecture + design 

completion year: march 2019 

built area (m2 or sqft): 500 sqm 

project location: siolim , goa, india 

photographer: fabien charuau https://www.fabiencharuauphotography.com 

ldesign team: amita kulkarni, anna musychak, mario olmos, dhrumil mehta, vikrant tike 

developers: kriss re 

clients: private 

civil contractor: unitech concrete technologies suppliers 

glazing: schueco india

cement tiles: bharat flooring 

kitchen: woodville india 

sanitary ware: fcml and gessi 

hvac: daikan

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: cristina gomez | designboom