Spanning 30 acres along Vainguinim Beach in Panaji, Goa, Cidade de Goa was an iconic 201-key upscale resort designed by the internationally acclaimed architect Charles Correa in 1982. Drawing from Goa’s Portuguese heritage, Correa envisioned the resort as a traditional hamlet, with interconnected spaces and intimate courtyards. At the arrival level, the public block housed the reception, lobby, a coffee shop (Doçaria), a bar (Taverna) and a deck.
Below, a pool-facing restaurant (Café Azul) and a specialty Portuguese restaurant (Alfama) formed the primary dining amenities. A central street, Rue de Sol, wove through landscaped courtyards, with three levels of sea-facing guest rooms on one side and smaller public amenities with two upper on levels of guest rooms on the other.
Crafting a Strong Interior Narrative
When Studio IV Designs was brought on board for the redesign as part of Taj Hotels’ rebranding of the property in 2020, the 40-year-old structure was in a state of disrepair. Ad-hoc modifications, including makeshift covers over courtyards and the closure of skylights to prevent rain ingress, had blocked natural light, leaving onceinviting spaces dark and enclosed. Decades of heavy use at this popular resort made difficult by the extensive effort required to keep certain areas functional during monsoons had worn down materials and dulled finishes. In addition, the architects observed that the interiors did not fully carry forward the architectural vision— the chequered flooring of Rue de Sol, the otla seating near the reception, and the Trompe-l’œil murals were among the only few elements that referenced Portuguese heritage. As a result, the original architectural vision of a breezy, vibrant hamlet by the sea stood compromised.
Studio IV Designs’ approach balances restoration and redesign, crafting a strong, independent interior narrative that builds on the architectural narrative of a Portuguese hamlet. The transformation is being carried out in phases; Phase 1, which includes a total area of 2, 80,000 sq. ft., is now complete. It includes 91 guest rooms and key public spaces in the Correa-designed heritage wing of the resort.
Restoring and Strengthening Charles Correa’s Vision
The designers were given full freedom to overhaul the interiors but chose instead to preserve and restore the architectural elements that defined the resort’s character while redesigning the property.
The checkered black-and-white granite and kota flooring in Rue de Sol and the herringbone Jaisalmer marble flooring in the lobby, integral to the visual identity of the original design, were preserved and painstakingly repaired, honouring the high level of craftsmanship that is difficult to replicate today.
At the reception, the otla—a raised plinth traditionally used for small social gatherings—is preserved and given a visual makeover with multi colored paints in the colors of the facade, blue Azulejo-patterned tiles and a blue microconcrete finish lipping, maintaining its cultural significance while drawing attention as a focal element. Vijay Bhandari, the artist who collaborated with Correa and the ownership decades ago on trompe-l’œil murals that create optical illusions, was brought back on board to restore the original works and create additional murals, maintaining authenticity. Once overlooked, statues of three avatars of Vasco da Gama (the first European to reach India by sea) that stand in the lobby are now emphasised through appropriate lighting interventions, as focal elements, by creating visual links with surrounding spaces.
“The colours of the facade—Tuscan Orange, Yellow Ochre, and Warm Peach—had become synonymous with the resort. These colours were documented and replicated in the restoration process, as the entire property went through a waterproofing and repainting exercise while the interior was being redone.
Beyond preserving elements detailed above, Studio IV Designs completely reimagined most of the interior spaces to enhance the resort’s Portuguese-Goan identity. Azulejos blue was added to Cidade’s existing sunny colour palette, and multiple layers of detailing were introduced to give every space its own identity within the resort. Every added furniture piece was designed to transport the guest to the 1940s Portuguese-Goan era while ensuring contemporary refinement in detail.” Vandana Dhawan Saxena, Principal Architect, Studio IV Designs
Improving Climate Response
Goa’s tropical monsoon climate, characterised by heavy rainfall and high humidity, has significantly impacted the resort’s livability. Over time, skylights—an integral part of illuminating the interior spaces—were sealed off with makeshift solutions to prevent rain ingress, resulting in dark and uninviting spaces. To restore both their functionality and the resort’s architectural integrity, multiple skylights were reopened or reimagined, using a refined metal-and-glass structure, which allowed natural light to flood the spaces while mitigating rain.
The courtyard next to the lobby has been transformed into a Lobby Lounge, converting a space that was unusable during rain into one that can be used yearround. Here, a large skylight was not feasible due to the excessive sunlight it would let in. Instead, five smaller skylights were added, maintaining a balance of natural light without causing discomfort. As part of the redesign, Studio IV Designs added a Portuguese street pattern-inspired stone inlay flooring in white marble and yellow Jaisalmer marble to allow it to blend into the original yellow Jaisalmer marble flooring while creating a distinct identity for the space.
The Sea Lounge, a prime sea-facing F&B space, an extension to the Taverna Bar and reception lobby, was originally designed with an open façade. However, exposure to strong winds and rain made maintenance challenging and restricted year-round use, impacting both operations and revenue. To address this, custom sliding doors in outdoor-grade, woodfinished aluminium were designed for the facade, maintaining uninterrupted views while offering protection from natural elements. The false ceiling, flooring, and furniture at the Sea Lounge were also designed with outdoor-grade materials, ensuring longevity in the saline air.
Similarly, a transparent glass-and-aluminium roof extension was added near the courtyard-facing alfresco seating at the Lobby Lounge (previously Doçaria), allowing guests to enjoy the outdoors comfortably, regardless of the weather.
Custom-designed furniture features Portuguese-inspired detailing, while furnishings are embroidered with patterns of Goa’s landscape to add a local touch. Hand-painted ceiling elements are designed to serve as a backdrop for ceiling fans, enhancing the charm of the interiors. Meanwhile, blue vitrified tiles are printed with motifs derived from Portuguese Azulejos tiles, further reinforcing an authentic Goan-Portuguese experience.
Optimising Operations and Maintenance
In Goa, hotels and resorts are facing growing competition from the city’s F&B spaces. As a result, hospitality owners are increasingly minimising in-house dining spaces to reduce staffing and operational costs. Recognising this need, Studio IV Designs converted the Doçaria (cafe) into a quiet, library-style extension of the lobby. Lime-washed plaster walls, flooring in a combination of sandstone-look vitrified tiles and custom patterned tiles, lime-washed solid wood furniture in a communal setting, and subtle tropical accents through the use of patterns and textures in fabrics create a serene setting for guests to unwind and take in views of the sea and the green courtyard beyond, after checking in.
Despite its prime location with breathtaking sea views and easy accessibility from the Taverna Bar, the Taverna Deck was severely underutilised, with a capacity of around 20 covers. Studio IV Designs extended and levelled the previously stepped-down deck to accommodate over 40 covers, increasing the capacity by 100%. Parasols are introduced to offer shade, improving comfort and usability. This strategic intervention has created a vibrant social hotspot that enhances the guest experience while boosting revenue.
The customised flooring pattern, featuring diagonal bluepatterned vitrified tile accents set against grey wood-finish tiles, extends the Taverna Bar’s flooring concept, ensuring visual continuity. Outdoor-grade furniture, complemented by furnishings in Cidade’s signature colours and Azulejo blue accents, reinforces the theme of a Portuguese hamlet. Planters along the entire running edge were integrated into the new structural details, bringing nature closer and enhancing the sense of serenity.
Alongside these programmatic transformations, Studio IV Designs introduced practical upgrades across the resort to improve accessibility and long-term upkeep. Staircases with uneven risers were demolished and rebuilt with even risers, usable handrails, and improved lighting design; a guest elevator and multiple ramps were introduced for universal accessibility to all public areas; an additional service elevator was added for smoother luggage handling; and all railings were redesigned to meet current safety standards. Prioritising longevity, furniture in semi-open and open areas was designed with outdoorgrade materials and easy-to-clean finishes. In a high-traffic hospitality environment, the strategic use of durable materials and attention to detail minimises maintenance, contributing to longer renovation cycles and a design that is both sustainable and timeless.
Designing Guest Rooms to Evoke Goa’s Indo-Portuguese Heritage
As part of Correa’s Cidade de Goa, the guest rooms had over 60 variations—the room blocks were built as different ‘Casas’ (Portuguese dwellings) as part of building them into a concept of a village (of Cidade) with rooms of differing heights, window placements, room sizes and orientations. This is atypical of a traditional hotel design, where rooms are designed to be similar, with very few variations, considering multiple factors such as brand consistency, revenue optimisation, and operational efficiency. Also, the rooms had an overly bulky interior design, lacking an overall cohesive intent that did not honour the architectural intent of the property.
Studio IV Designs reimagined the guest rooms to align with the overall architectural setting while remaining rooted in Goa’s Indo-Portugese history, art, and craftsmanship. The room design, in three different colour schemes (earth orange, green, and blue), now has a toned-down yet well-crafted aesthetic to help make the spaces feel larger, luxurious, and calm so that the inimitable views beyond can take centre stage.
For the expansive guest room corridors, spread across various levels of the property, the designers collaborated with a local artist, Hitesh Pankar, to create a system of four custom motifs inspired by Goa’s natural landscape and cultural history, with each motif and specific overall colours, assigned to a specific floor for clear identification. The motifs—the Sun of Cidade, Lion of Cidade, Rooster, and Ixora flower—orient the guests while establishing a unique identity for each floor, an idea that strengthens Correa’s vision of a Portuguese hamlet with new spatial experiences at every corner.
For every guest room, a custom number plate is designed with the corresponding motif, hand-painted onto baked ceramic tiles. This entirely hand-drawn and handmade process involved working exclusively with local Goan tile vendors to produce 91 number plates for the renovated rooms, supporting the local economy while infusing the space with a unique cultural and artisanal identity.
A muted colour palette of beige, white, and grey is adopted for the 30-60sq. m. room, directing the guests’ focus towards stunning outdoor views while increasing the perception of space. Earth orange, green and blue accents are introduced to distinguish the different room categories while maintaining a visually cohesive language.
Single bay rooms (approximately 25 sq. m.) are designed with earth orange accents. This colour is inspired by the laterite soil, red oxide IPS flooring, and similar tones seen in the cement balcaos and patterned tiles of old Goan houses.
In the two bay suites (60 sq. m.), the orange is replaced with the green of typical Indo-Portuguese houses, while the rooms on the topmost floor (approximately 30 sq. m.) pay tribute to the Mediterranean blue and white colour scheme.
The sun motif, reminiscent of the famous Sun of Cidade icon, is integrated into the design of all the new rooms. It can be seen in the abstracted wood-carving patterns and flooring patterns throughout the room. An embroidered sun motif cushion sits on an armchair in each room, reinforcing the emblem of the property. The remaining colours in the room are kept muted, thus keeping the focus on the views beyond.
At the heart of the room design lies a bespoke artwork, visible through the vestibule, as the guest walks in. Designed by the studio, it is a striking piece that creates the illusion of looking through a window onto the lively streets of Goa, and is framed by a painted white arch that references the arched windows of Goa’s Fontainhas area.
Project Details:
Project name: Taj Cidade De Goa Heritage Resort
Design team: Vandana Dhawan Saxena (Principal Architect)
Kanak Yadav (Intermediate Architect)
Ananya Goel (Junior Architect)
Structural Consultants: Shirish Kamat (Ansh Structural Lab Pvt Ltd)
MEP Consultants: AEON
Landscape Consultants: Studio ATK (Principal: Anjali Kulkarni)
Lighting Consultants: Lucent Worldwide
Graphic Design/Signage Design Consultants: Studio IV Designs
Civil Contractor: Raghbir International & Vishal Contractors
Interior Contractor: Raghbir International & Vishal Contractors
PMC: CBRE
Artwork: Hitesh Pankar & Vijay Bhandari
Decorative Lights: Divinity, Zailux, Philips,
Osram, Sutra Lumens
Ceramic Tiles: TURI Azulejos Tile Goa
Sanitary ware Fittings: Jaquar (All rooms) /
Kohler (Public Areas)
Flooring (Vitrified Tiles): FCML (Public Areas) &
SOIL (All rooms)
Flooring: (Terrazzo/ Micro concrete/ Epoxy
Terrazzo) – Colortale
Furnishing: (Fabrics & Loose Cushions) Maspar
(All rooms) & Runrare India (All public areas)
