Airports are usually transitional—they are places of movement where one whiles away time before an anticipated journey. But when you land in the (relatively) new airport of MOPA, this new brewery in Goa might just convince you to linger a while longer—for it is built with the intention of offering an immersive experience of Goa’s well-known ‘susegado’ lifestyle. Arko Saha, a visual artist who founded and leads Goa-based design practice Otherworlds (along with Lionel Afonso from his team) has crafted a space which in Saha’s words, “will make you feel like you are visiting someone’s house in Goa.” The warmth, charm and tranquility of the Goan way of life reflects in the aptly titled Susegado Microbrewery, which comes as a welcome relief from the overly modernized aesthetics or exaggerated cultural cliches that pepper the landscape of airport hospitality and retail, as Saha observes.
Envisioned as a collaboration between India Retail and Hospitality Private Limited (IRHPL) and Susegado Microbrewery, this new brewery in Goa brings a heady, contemporary twist to Goa’s traditional charm. During a time when there seems to be a growing trend of adopting external design influences in the state’s hospitality industry as developers from Mumbai and Delhi flock to the bustling tourist spots, Saha wanted to celebrate the local culture, to bring the essence of authentic Goan aesthetics back to the forefront.
“The process began from an empty shell, which was both a challenge and an opportunity, to create something unique” Saha explains. A large kitchen was a key element, and would eventually become the heart of the space, while the rest of the 4,000-square-foot restaurant mimicked the set-up of a traditional Goan home, effectively becoming the external space (think porch, verandah, front yard) while the kitchen and brewery became ‘home’. To emphasise this concept, tall, arched windows—a nod to Goa’s traditional architecture—frame the kitchen’s structure, allowing visitors glimpses into the bustling core of the operation. Seating around the perimeter mimics the ever-recognizable Goan ‘balcão’ (an outdoor porch, often with built-in seats) and in the centre, an island bar, a focal point for socialising—all features inviting travellers to taste a familiar and uniquely Goan hospitality that not only maximises space but creates a sense of community.
The visual language of the space and Saha’s choice of colours is arguably the most noticeable aspect of the space, with every design decision aiming towards an aesthetic that feels both refreshingly contemporary and decidedly Goan. A palette of red dominates in this evocatively earthy space, as terracotta tiles snake up from flooring to wall, providing both texture and character, and vibrant red hues accentuate the metal poles of lamps, curtain hangers and the fabric lampshades. This is further complemented by the rich, deep tones of wood.
Thought in the details abound, reinforcing a sense of place throughout the design. Saha worked closely with Amit Shreokand from Goa-based Lore Studio to create the installation suspended above the bar - an old, meticulously repurposed, traditional dugout canoe once used in the backwaters that had since fallen into disrepair. It was purchased from a fisherman in Pernem, restored and resealed with cashew oil. Custom-made paddles house light fixtures and wiring while evoking a sense of movement. Suspended from the ceiling on two wooden outrigger floats supported by steel cables, the installation that draws so closely from its Goan roots now weighs over 300 kilograms. Another notable piece is done by Goan ceramic artist and potter, Thomas Louis, who crafts a mural depicting the tale of turtle hatching within the aquatic ecosystem. Hand-sculpted tiny clay turtles, fish and other marine life come alive in this dynamic mural.
But Saha wanted to make sure the experience he curates goes beyond just the architecture and ambiance, and seeps into the functional details as well. All immediate needs of travellers were kept in mind while designing, from charging phones, to keeping the luggage safely. Being located at the airport came with its unique set of challenges, from strict restrictions on working hours to minimise disruption to airport operations, as well as complying with a complex set of regulations and guidelines concerning design, material use, safety, and the preset environmental standards unique to airport environments. Delivering and disposing construction materials also proved to be a significant task for the team, requiring special permissions which required careful planning so as to not slow down the whole process.
Eschewing the often minimalist, monochromatic or sterile appearance of airport hospitality spaces, Saha intended to embrace Goa’s colourful and characterful charm through a bold mix of colours, textures and details. While doing exactly that, he also brings in a level of functionality that allows Susegado Microbrewery to work both as a transient space befitting its airport setting, but even as an independent drinking establishment worth visiting.
