Tag: Sustainable Design

Spotlight

Ninaad Kambli: Redefining Luxury Living in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

When Ninaad Kambli founded Nivasa in 2019, he wasn’t starting fresh—he was building on a solid foundation. Backed by the technical strength of Rahee Constructions, a firm with over 30+ years of experience under the leadership of Ashish Kambli, Nivasa was created to offer something Goa’s real estate landscape was missing: a complete, experience-led approach to luxury living.

In a market that often focuses on land volume or transactional value, Ninaad saw an opportunity to shift the conversation. Nivasa was envisioned to elevate the meaning of home—spaces that feel intimate, rooted in design integrity, and tailored for those seeking more than just property ownership. According to him, true luxury isn’t about extravagance, but about how a space makes you feel. At Nivasa, that means creating homes that are calm, functional, and deeply connected to nature. From the breezy courtyards to the locally sourced materials and custom interiors, every detail is designed to support a lifestyle of ease and beauty.

More Than Villas: A Full-Service Living Experience

What makes Nivasa stand apart is its 360-degree service model. It’s not just about building homes—it’s about creating and sustaining value. From land acquisition and architectural planning to Vastu consultancy, interior design, and project execution, Nivasa takes care of every step. Even after a villa is complete, clients benefit from long-term support through property maintenance, Airbnb management, and hospitality services. This end-to-end offering ensures that every home continues to be a valuable asset, both emotionally and financially.

Sustainability is integral to the Nivasa philosophy. The brand is committed to eco-conscious building—incorporating features like passive cooling, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient layouts into each project. Ninaad is particularly drawn to biophilic design, where natural elements are brought indoors to foster a sense of calm and well-being. This design approach reinforces the Goan charm, giving each villa a warm, grounded identity.

One of the most memorable and challenging projects for Nivasa involved restoring a heritage villa in Goa. Maintaining its original character while integrating modern conveniences required careful planning and collaboration with local artisans. The project taught Ninaad the value of patience, cultural sensitivity, and craftsmanship—lessons that now guide many of Nivasa’s current projects.

The Vision Ahead: Thoughtful Living, Invested Living

Leadership at Nivasa is fluid and responsive. While villa development demands structure, precision, and adherence to timelines, the hospitality side requires empathy, flexibility, and attention to guest experience. Ninaad shifts his approach based on the domain, but always maintains a core focus on creativity, accountability, and alignment with the brand’s values. His team operates with the same ethos—sharing a collective vision of soulful living, nurtured through open communication, collaboration, and ongoing inspiration.

As for Goa’s real estate future, Ninaad anticipates a rise in wellness-focused architecture, sustainable luxury, and tech-enabled smart homes. He also sees increasing demand for dual-purpose homes—spaces that are both personal sanctuaries and viable investment properties. For today’s investors, his advice is simple: look for legal clarity, regulatory compliance, and long-term viability. Choosing Nivasa means choosing a holistic ecosystem that delivers not just a home, but lasting value.

For Ninaad, the idea of home is deeply personal. It’s a sanctuary—somewhere you feel at peace and inspired at the same time. This belief shapes every project Nivasa undertakes, creating homes that feel warm, grounded, and thoughtfully designed for the realities of modern living. When asked to describe Nivasa as a person, he says: “Elegant. Grounded. Visionary.” Whether it’s a villa in Goa or a dream home in Tuscany surrounded by vineyards, Ninaad Kambli continues to lead with intention—building not just houses, but homes with soul.

EduConnect

Building Roots: Tambdi Maati’s First Workshop Unites Youth Through Bamboo and Tradition

Tanisha Cardozo

Tambdi Maati Foundation (TMF), a grassroots initiative rooted in the Konkan region, held its first community-centric natural building workshop — titled ‘Map and Build Together’ — on August 30th and 31st, 2025, at the scenic Chafekhol plateau in Malvan.

The workshop brought together young architects, architecture students, and local participants to co-create a temporary bamboo structure while immersing themselves in the natural landscape, local knowledge, and shared purpose.

TMF, which stands for ‘Red Earth’ in Konkani, is the brainchild of three individuals representing different parts of the Konkan region: Tallulah Dsilva (Goa), a long-time advocate of sustainable architecture; Ahana Rao (Gokarna), a passionate architect working with natural materials; and Omkar Keni (Malvan), an advocate focused on land rights and ecological justice.

Together, they envision TMF as a platform that preserves and promotes traditional building wisdom, fosters skill-building among youth, and creates livelihood opportunities rooted in ecological and cultural sensitivity.

At the heart of the workshop was the experience of building with bamboo—a material known for its resilience, renewability, and cultural significance in the region. More than just learning structural techniques, participants were exposed to mapping landscapes, reading ecological cues, and understanding how built spaces can respond sensitively to place and people.

The impact was deeply personal. Rahuman Khalil, an architecture intern from Coimbatore, reflected:

“During our extensive walk on the plateau, I observed that the boundaries of three villages were marked simply by stones, showing that people living on the land built a living community, not dead boundaries.”

Kaniksha Bandodkar, an architect from Goa, shared:

“Building a bamboo structure for the community was a rewarding experience that not only showcased the versatility of sustainable materials but also brought people together, fostering a sense of unity and pride in our shared space.”

This was more than a workshop. It was a living classroom, a reimagining of architectural education outside conventional spaces, and a glimpse into what the future of community-led, sustainable design can look like.

With this successful beginning, TMF is laying the foundation for a larger movement — one that connects artisans, professionals, and youth across the Konkan belt to reclaim and reimagine the region’s architectural legacy.

#TravelwithAllycaral 👒

‘Under’ – Europe’s First Underwater Restaurant Now Open in Norway

allycaralgoa

In a historic culinary and architectural move, Norway has unveiled Europe’s first underwater restaurant, aptly named ‘Under’, in the scenic coastal town of Lindesnes.

Designed by the award-winning architecture firm Snøhetta, ‘Under’ is partially submerged into the sea, stretching 34 meters long with its main dining area located 5.5 meters below sea level. The concrete structure acts not only as a dining destination but also doubles as an artificial reef and a marine research lab, making it a sustainability-forward innovation.

Guests access the dining space by descending through a dramatic walkway that gradually immerses them in the world beneath the waves. Inside, a massive 36-foot wide panoramic acrylic window allows for unobstructed views of ocean life — a live, natural show as you dine.

The gastronomic experience is helmed by Danish chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard, whose 18-course tasting menu focuses on locally sourced seafood, foraged ingredients, and seasonally inspired dishes — elevating traditional Nordic cuisine.

‘Under’ is not just a restaurant. It’s a deep dive into Norway’s relationship with the sea, blending cutting-edge design, environmental consciousness, and culinary brilliance. Whether you’re a food enthusiast, traveler, or architecture aficionado, this one-of-a-kind destination promises an unforgettable experience beneath the ocean’s surface.

📖 Read more on allycaral.com

Human Interest

Goa’s Creative Community Gathers to Rethink Design and Development

allycaralgoa

Panaji, June 2025 — Long known as a haven for artists and free spirits, Goa is steadily transforming into a hub for innovation, sustainability, and creative enterprise. This evolution was on full display at the 13th edition of First Friday, a monthly gathering that brings together designers, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers with a shared vision for a more conscious and creatively engaged Goa.

Held at the Surendrababu Timblo Hall, GCCI, the June meetup was curated by the Creative Community of Goa (CCG) in collaboration with the Association of Designers of India (ADI) – Goa Chapter, and supported by the Startup & IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa.

The highlight of the evening was a thought-provoking keynote by architect and designer Deeksha Thind, who explored the intersection of permaculture and design. With her rich experience in sustainable living and architecture, Ms. Thind emphasized the need to view design not as a static output, but as a living process deeply rooted in the environment and community.

“Permaculture isn’t just a method — it’s a way of thinking,” said Thind. “It’s about designing with nature, where every element has a role, and resources are respected and reused.”

Founder of Saraya Eco Stays, an eco-conscious hospitality and creative space in Goa, Ms. Thind shared her journey of working with natural materials, building in harmony with the land, and engaging local communities in her design process.

“At Saraya, we work with the landscape rather than against it. It’s a continuous process of learning, listening, and adapting,” she added.

Another key focus of the event was the presentation of Goa’s Draft Design Policy by Mr. D. S. Prashant, CEO of the Startup & IT Promotion Cell. He introduced the policy as a foundational step toward recognizing design as a driver of sustainable development and entrepreneurship in Goa.

“The intent is to position Goa as a destination for creative professionals — a place where ideas can take root and grow,” Mr. Prashant stated.

He outlined the proposed framework, which seeks to integrate design thinking across sectors such as technology, craft, tourism, and education, while encouraging collaboration between the public sector and the creative community.

Collective Dialogue for a Creative Future

The session culminated in an open-floor discussion, where attendees offered feedback and suggestions on the Draft Design Policy. The conversation touched on themes like design education, creative entrepreneurship, rural-urban collaboration, and how design can contribute to Goa’s long-term social and ecological wellbeing.

This interactive segment showcased the power of community-led dialogue, reinforcing First Friday’s role as not just a networking platform, but a space for co-creation and shared visioning.

First Friday: Building a Design-Conscious Goa

Since its inception, First Friday has become a vital meeting point for Goa’s growing creative ecosystem. From grassroots innovators to established design practitioners, each edition fosters interdisciplinary exchange and meaningful collaboration.

As Goa looks to its future, events like these highlight the potential of design to create inclusive, regenerative, and culturally rooted solutions for the state’s challenges — and opportunities.

“Goa has always attracted creative minds, but building something meaningful starts with understanding the place and the people,” Ms. Thind reminded the audience.

With continued support from organizations like ADI, CCG, and the state’s IT Department, Goa’s journey from idyllic retreat to innovation-led economy is just getting started — and it’s being designed one conversation at a time.