In Goa, Studio Tilt transforms a humble studio into a 1,500 sq ft nature-led retreat defined by bougainvillea vines, old trees, reclaimed materials, raw textures and a lush landscape frequented by rescued animals and birds.
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Manthan Yadav; courtesy Studio Tilt
The site and story
In the quiet folds of Goa’s lush landscape, a modest two-bedroom villa waited to be rediscovered. The property belongs to a couple deeply rooted in the world of books and ideas—Hemali Sodhi, writer and founder of A Suitable Agency, and Ananth Padmanabhan, CEO of HarperCollins India — who envisioned a tropical retreat which they could share with small world of animals and birds. Their trusted partner for renovating and extending this (now) 1,500 sq ft house were architects Abhijit Sawant and Natasha Kumar who headed Studio Tilt who found the villa already rich with character.
They recollect that the property already carried a certain charm, defined by the sweeping bougainvillea that framed its entrance in vivid fuchsia. It was the single burst of colour in an otherwise gentle, leafy palette, and it became the emotional anchor around which the story began to unfold. Additionally, as the villa is set beside the Welfare for Animals in Goa Rescue Shelter, it forms a natural extension of its surroundings. Ergo, dogs, cats, rabbits, even ducks wander in and out of the property as easily as the breeze, claiming it as their own.
The brief
Ananth and Hemali wanted a cosy, tropical, writers’ retreat that would act as their second home. Their brief to the architects was as heartfelt as it was clear: restore what exists and expand what is necessary. The house also has to remain open, porous, and generous in spirit, shaped not only for its owners and their guests, but for every creature that sought refuge in its shade.
The design intent
What began as a small, makeshift studio had to grow into a comfortable two-bedroom home, without losing the intimacy and natural charm of the original structure. The transformation stayed firmly rooted in the site’s lush landscape; every decision was guided by the existing trees, the shifting light, and the movement of animals that share the property. For Studio Tilt, staying close to nature is both instinct and intention, and their work here reflects that philosophy. Indoor and outdoor spaces slip into one another with ease—a principle the architects see as central to intelligent design and holistic well-being. The goal was not to create grand gestures, but thoughtful spaces that nurture everyday connections with the outdoors.
Landscape became an integral part of the design. The team introduced layers of planting, soft grass mounds for the ducks to wander over, a lily pond, and bird baths that draw exquisite visitors through the day. Large windows and generous skylights frame these outdoor moments, ensuring that every room maintains a visual or physical link to the landscape. At its heart, the home is shaped by openness… a place where nature is not a backdrop but a constant, grounding presence that defines the experience of living here.
The civil intervention
This project unfolded as both a restoration and an expansion, transforming what was once a small, loosely planned studio into a coherent two-bedroom home. The original layout had little spatial definition and included a makeshift living area enclosed in glass. Studio Tilt reworked this entirely, opening it into a more comfortable, functional space. Some elements of the old sloping roof were retained, but several deteriorated wooden beams had to be replaced and strengthened. The redesign focused on planning the interiors more effectively—maintaining visual connections while clearly defining rooms, adding verandahs, and giving the landscape as much attention as the built structure.
A shared understanding between the designers and the clients helped distinguish what was essential from what could be omitted. This clarity allowed the home to remain compact and mindful, balancing indoor needs with the surrounding natural environment. Throughout the process, the studio stayed rooted in its nature-centric ethos: increasing opportunities for engagement with the outdoors, introducing skylights, and widening openings for larger doors and windows to welcome in natural light.
The result is a 1,500-square-foot, single-level, two-bedroom home set within an 8,000-square-foot plot. Planned carefully around existing trees, it unfolds gently across the site with a living and dining area, open kitchen, and two bedrooms with bathrooms and closet spaces—all shaped to feel grounded, open, and closely connected to the landscape.
The design and material details
Every opening in the home is designed to spill out onto the surrounding greenery, reinforcing the idea that nature should always take centre stage. The material palette is deliberately quiet and restrained, allowing the landscape to do most of the talking. A soft grey cement flooring runs seamlessly from the verandahs into the interiors, lending the house a grounded simplicity that deepens with time. There is a quiet sophistication in choosing materials that remain honest. Raw finishes, unpolished textures, and natural surfaces give the home a sense of ease… the feeling of standing barefoot on cool cement, looking out at the greens, often accompanied by the family’s animals wandering through. It captures the essence of slow living without ever trying too hard.
The design celebrates restraint and the ability to turn everyday routines into small, calming moments. Raw textures, reclaimed wood, and an overall natural warmth bring an organic clarity to the spaces. The intent was always to shape a second home that reflects the owners’ values—unfiltered, soulful, and true to who they are—where simplicity feels luxurious and nature remains the constant thread.
The highlights
The soul of this home lies in its seamless connection to the outdoors. The landscape was shaped with as much care as the architecture—layers of planting, soft grass mounds for the rabbits and ducks, a lily pond alive with koi fish, and bird baths that draw exquisite visitors through the day. Every space maintains a visual or physical link to this natural world. Large windows and generous skylights ensure a continual dialogue between the indoors and the landscape beyond. Fondly called The Publishers’ Home, it is a place where nature sits at the centre and every creature feels welcome. Built gently around existing trees and plants, the home retains the energy it always held; even the animals that frequent the property have experienced no disruption in their routines. The architects describe it as a project shaped with genuine heart—a feeling that lingers in every corner.
Each visit brings a new story. Sometimes it’s an entire brood of dogs dropping by for a snack; on other days, rabbits and ducks wander across the lawn after a rain shower. Among the most special visitors are a family of Crimson Sunbirds and a Greater Coucal, both fond of the green pepper plant that grows close by. These small, everyday moments give the home its charm… place where life unfolds gently, shared between people, animals, and the landscape they inhabit together.
Fact file
Project: The Publishers’ Home
Location: Siolim, Goa
Area: 1,500 sq ft (built-up) and 8,000 sq ft (site)
Principal architects: Abhijit Sawant and Natasha Kumar
Design team: Harsh Jituri, Mahek Gupta and Shweta Nair
Clients: Ananth Padmanabhan and Hemali Sodhi
Micro-concrete floor and wall finishes: Ecofied
Terrazzo wall lights: Spellbound
Plants and bird baths: Midori Gardens
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