The Rafi Sheikh Residence, completed as the first project by the founder, Ghayyoor Obaid, marks a pivotal moment in the architectural evolution of GOA. This house features key elements that are now central to the GOA ethos, blending open spaces with thoughtful design to create a seamless living experience.
The house is defined by its open-plan layout, where the kitchen, lounge, and dining areas flow effortlessly into each other. One of the defining features is the large aquarium that separates the living and dining spaces, acting as both a functional and decorative element that brings a sense of tranquility and natural beauty to the interior.
At the front of the house, an atrium greets visitors, featuring a small fountain and intricate wood trusses overhead, surrounded by dense indoor planting. The light filters in through tall glazed panels, illuminating the greenery and enhancing the sense of openness. This space blurs the boundary between inside and out, creating a vibrant, living threshold that sets the tone for the rest of the house.
At the rear of the property, the kitchen and dinette overlook a serene pool and pool house, which also includes a gym. The house is designed with a split-level layout, with both the first floor and basement positioned at different levels from the ground floor. The half-basement houses a recreation room. The lower first floor is home to the master bedroom, providing a sense of separation and privacy from the other living spaces.
A distinctive feature of the first floor is the grid of clerestory windows, which flood the space with natural light. The gridded ceiling becomes an architectural gesture in itself, transforming daylight into form. The house also features a jali-covered terrace, where sunlight filters through patterned screens to cast geometric shadows on the floor and walls. These shifting patterns animate the space throughout the day, adding depth, movement, and a sense of time to the architecture.
The Rafi Sheikh Residence stands as a defining example of the GOA design philosophy, blending openness, natural elements, and innovative architectural features to create a home that is both functional and visually compelling.
