A South Goa villa where Balinese influences, tropical aesthetics and coastal living merge into one immersive home.
Designed as a nature-centric retreat with an unmistakable wow factor, A Slice of Ubud is a 3,000 sq ft four-bedroom villa in Varca, South Goa, designed by Natasha Kumar and Abhijit Sawant, Principal Designers, Studio Tilt, who also helmed the landscape design. A fusion of tropical aesthetics and the relaxed spirit of coastal living, the home draws contextual inspiration from Goa while embracing serene Balinese influences.
The result is a residence where nature lies at the heart of the design, where lush landscape elements, open spatial planning, and a seamless dialogue between indoors and outdoors create a tranquil, immersive experience. Rooted in tropical sensibilities yet deeply connected to its Goan setting, the villa balances warmth, luxury, and escapist charm.
“The home is planned to let in ample natural light with large windows and high ceilings. From a water body jutting right into the layout of the villa to a tree growing within the home, each space is a sanctuary, meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of calm and connection to the surroundings. When we say nature-centric, we go all in to bring nature into the home in all ways possible! The idea of blurring the boundaries between nature and structure is a conscious attempt in most of our projects and, according to us, is the foundation of intelligent design and holistic well-being,” explains Abhijit Sawant, Principal Designer, Studio Tilt.
Designed for a family of four and their cat, the home features an open layout, with the central section dedicated to common areas that connect the outer sections reserved for private areas. The entryway is designed such that the pool acts as a backdrop for the foyer, leading to the living areas. A stunning Frangipani tree within the home separates the double-height living and dining areas, dancing under the light from a skylight above. The rear side features a pool and jacuzzi that juts into the layout, separating the living area from the master suite. The top floor is dedicated to a family lounge, a guest room and suites for the son and daughter at two ends with dramatic, triangular, sloped overhanging leaves. Designed in a way that allows consistent, diffused natural light since all spaces have a north-south orientation, our focus was to incorporate a more climate-responsive, energy-efficient and sustainable approach. The layout also ensures that all suites face the pool at the rear side, while the living and dining areas are by the pool, so much so that you can touch the water seated in the inside the living area. The overhanging window from the daughter’s room overlooks the living area, making for a connection between spaces. The open kitchen with a breakfast table by the dining also furthers our philosophy of creating connected spaces that allow for maximum human engagement. The inset living area, sloping, overhang eaves, the use of natural materials and water bodies making its way into the home are slight nods to Balinese architecture. We feel that slight Balinese influences are the closest touches that make for perfect tropical homes, especially in a country like India. “We wanted the strong architectural features to take center-stage, hence the colour and material palette are somewhat restrained. The beige, stone cladding makes its way from the living area and extends onto the backdrop of the pool. Building on the coastal, tropical aesthetic, the colour palette primarily features subtle neutrals with pops of green and blue, inspired by the surrounding environment. For us at Studio Tilt, architecture, interior and landscape design go hand in hand with all important facets planned out together right at the beginning,” says Natasha, Principal Designer, Studio Tilt.
With its seamless interplay of architecture, interiors, and landscape, the villa becomes more than a home; it is a sanctuary shaped by nature. Thoughtfully designed and deeply rooted in place, it offers a lifestyle of calm, connection, and tropical elegance.
