Architect Naomi

With over eight years of professional experience, Architect Naomi has built a practice shaped by a growing appreciation for restoration, sustainability and the architectural character of Goa. Born and raised in Mumbai, her professional journey began with modern interior projects, but over time, her interest shifted towards preserving traditional Goan homes and the principles that make them enduring.

Her connection with Goa is both professional and personal. Drawn by its natural surroundings, distinctive architecture and her own roots in the state, she eventually made the move back from Mumbai. For Naomi, the decision was not simply about changing where she lived. It was about creating a better quality of life while reconnecting with the environment and heritage that had long held her interest.

A Connection Rooted in Memory

Naomi’s interest in Goan architecture began during her Bachelor’s degree, when she studied its distinctive design principles and sustainability. The subject also brought back memories of spending summer holidays at her ancestral home, where architectural details that once seemed ordinary began to reveal their ingenuity.

She remembers how light filtered through shell windows even when they were closed, creating a soft, diffused illumination inside. The high roofs allowed hot air to rise and escape through the Mangalore-tiled roof, helping the interiors remain cooler despite the heat outdoors. These simple yet effective features sparked her curiosity and encouraged her to understand how traditional homes achieved comfort through design and natural materials. That early fascination eventually became a defining part of her architectural approach.

Preserving More Than a Structure

For Naomi, restoring an old Goan home is about more than repairing walls, roofs or windows. It is about retaining the character of a structure while finding ways for it to remain relevant to contemporary life.

Having grown up in Mumbai, she witnessed many old bungalows being demolished to make way for high-rise buildings. While such changes can be driven by the need for housing in densely populated cities, she sees a similar shift beginning to take place in Goa. Old homes are increasingly difficult for owners to maintain, while a lack of awareness about traditional construction and repair techniques can make demolition appear like the easier option.

This led Naomi to a different perspective on her role as an architect. Rather than simply replacing an old structure, she encourages homeowners to consider how it can be repurposed. Adapting a property for modern requirements or creating an opportunity for it to generate an income can give owners a practical reason to maintain it. In this way, restoration becomes not only an architectural exercise but also a means of keeping heritage homes useful and occupied.

Architecture That Responds to Climate

One of the aspects Naomi admires most about traditional Goan homes is the way they achieved comfort through thoughtful design long before terms such as sustainable or climate-responsive architecture became widely used.

Laterite stone walls are a key example. Their considerable thickness provides structural strength while also offering thermal insulation. Lime-plastered walls allow the building to breathe and develop a characterful finish as they age. High ceilings and Mangalore-tiled roofs encourage hot air to rise and escape, while traditional shell windows bring in natural, diffused light even when they remain closed.

The materials used for flooring also reflect the practical evolution of Goan homes. Traditional cow-dung floors were followed by finishes such as IPS, red oxide and terrazzo, many of which were locally available, durable and well suited to the climate.

For Naomi, these elements demonstrate that sustainability does not always require modern technology. Sometimes, it lies in understanding the materials, climate and context of a place and allowing those factors to shape the design.

A Mindful Approach to Materials

This philosophy continues to influence Naomi’s restoration and interior projects. She prefers natural, locally available materials that complement the character of the property rather than overpowering it.

In restoration work, she uses laterite stone to rebuild dilapidated walls, including through traditional load-bearing construction techniques. The material also finds a place in some of her contemporary interiors, where it can be used to introduce new walls while maintaining a connection with Goa’s material language.

Natural stone flooring and traditional finishes are encouraged wherever they suit the design. Lime finishes are another important part of her material palette, with applications ranging from old Goan homes to contemporary spaces.

Her work extends beyond heritage restoration to select residential and restaurant interiors. Even in these projects, she is naturally drawn towards concepts that are rustic, sustainable and grounded in natural tones and textures.

Restoring With Patience and Purpose

One of Naomi’s most memorable projects was the restoration of a home located on an island. The setting brought its own set of difficulties, particularly when it came to transporting materials and labour to the site. The logistical challenges added considerable time and cost to the project, requiring patience and careful coordination.

What made the experience particularly rewarding, however, was the shared commitment of the contractors and workers involved. They understood the importance of preserving the old home and often went beyond what was expected, working additional hours to complete the project on schedule.

For Naomi, that experience reinforced the value of having the right people involved in restoration. Preserving an old structure requires not only architectural knowledge but also craftsmen and professionals who understand traditional methods and appreciate the character of the buildings they are working on.

Learning Through Travel

Her inspiration also extends beyond her architectural practice. Naomi enjoys travelling, particularly to destinations surrounded by nature. Before visiting a place, she takes time to study its architecture, allowing her to arrive with a sense of its history and design language.

Once there, observation becomes an important part of the experience. She studies the buildings, materials and relationship between architecture and the surrounding environment, continually adding to her understanding. Travel, for her, is therefore both a personal interest and an ongoing source of learning that brings new ideas into her work.

Looking Towards the Future

Naomi believes preserving Goa’s architectural heritage is a responsibility that extends to the generations that will inherit it. While restoring an old home can appear challenging, she believes that the process becomes more manageable with the right knowledge, craftsmen and professionals.

Her approach is deliberately inclusive. She is willing to take on restoration and maintenance work of any scale, including the smallest jobs. For her, the value of such work is not determined by the size of the project but by its potential to help preserve another piece of Goa’s architectural identity.

As Goa continues to evolve, Naomi hopes more homeowners will see the possibilities within the homes they already have. With thoughtful restoration and sensitive adaptation, she believes traditional houses can continue to serve contemporary needs without losing the qualities that make them special.

For Architect Naomi, preserving these homes is ultimately about giving them another chapter. By combining traditional knowledge with practical contemporary solutions, she hopes to ensure that Goa’s architectural heritage remains not only remembered, but lived in and valued for years to come.