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The Rice Mill, Goa

By Aditi Gaitonde Fernandes

A contemporary cafe-bar brewing in history

If you ask us, preserving a piece of history is reason enough to celebrate. Look at what Goa-based architect Raya Shankhwalker has fashioned out of an old, rundown rice mill. Take a detour from the regular beach shacks in the party capital of India, and make way to Morjim in North Goa. What once was a gabled roof structure built in the 1950s has now been meticulously restored and given a new lease of life. And simply called, The Rice Mill.

Owned by the architect himself, Raya fashioned a tasteful and soothing space, which is a cafe by day and a bar by night. Architectural elements that reflected the history of the space were restored too. We admire that all the new additions were consciously sourced locally or built from scratch from recycled wood.

Glass inserts have been added to the Mangalore-tiled gabled roof that allows sunbeams to seep into the interiors. The exposed red brick wall (Read How to create and care for exposed brick walls) along with aged, time-stained walls make the backdrop for framed art and accessories. The dark wood dining tables and exposed brick bar are paired with simple white metal chairs and high stools.

Adding a pop of colour are the windows and doors of the cafe-bar. They are painted in a pleasing Greek blue that complement the overall warm colour scheme of the space. Lending another dose of freshness are the many plants dotting the cafe. We also love the Art Deco window grills that seem to allow a glimpse of history.