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Wes Anderson’s films, the streetscapes of Old Delhi, Surajkund’s stepped reservoir and the iconic Indian Railway wagon inform the pastel-hued interiors of the cafe in Faridabad, India.

The National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Panjim, Goa—spanning 1,30,006 sq ft—is among Southeast Asia’s largest water sports institutes. Inspired by the deep sea, architect Manish Gulati of MOFA Studio envisions it as a mythical creature rising from the Arabian Sea, connecting the structure’s dynamic form to both its marine and Goan contexts.

“A clear design approach with a bold idea utilizing every local resource available with a systematic approach to its construction. We were looking for an expression that would integrate the cultural and economic importance of water sports into the educational fabric, ensuring that training and development for every local lifeguard to a tour operator in this field, is state of the art and globally competitive.“

The National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa by M:OFA Studios is Southeast Asia’s largest water sports institute, spanning 90,000 sq ft. Inspired by ocean waves, its parametric, CNC-cut grid-shell roof uses 15,000 steel pipes for precision and efficiency. With sustainable strategies, rainwater harvesting, and inclusive design, NIWS merges technology, functionality, and Goan vernacular to create an iconic, cost-effective landmark.

Ubicado en Goa, el Instituto Nacional de Deportes Acuáticos (NIWS) diseñado por M:OFA Studio se inspira en la dinámica del océano, con un techo de estructura liviana que emula el movimiento fluido del agua. Este hito arquitectónico integra elementos paramétricos y de fabricación digital, creando espacios interconectados y fluidos. Con funciones educativas y recreativas, el diseño captura la energía del mar, destacándose como el primer instituto público de deportes acuáticos en el sur de Asia.

The National Institute of Watersports (NIWS) in Goa, designed by M:OFA Studios with DELF Consulting Engineers and Jade Consultants, is Southeast Asia’s premier water sports institute. Spanning 90,000 sq ft, it features seismic-resistant structures, a 4,000 sq ft double-curved steel gridshell roof of 15,000 pipes, corten steel facades, and parametric design. The complex integrates advanced fabrication, sustainable engineering, and functional zoning, offering world-class water sports training and academic programs.

The National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa, designed by M:OFA Studios, blends intuitive and parametric design with local culture. As Southeast Asia’s largest water sports institute, it creates a bold landmark in Goa’s public architecture. The design integrates cultural and economic aspects of water sports into education, offering advanced training for lifeguards and tour operators, using local materials and a distinctive floating roof for a sustainable, iconic identity.

The National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa, designed by MOFA Studio, is Southeast Asia’s largest water sports institute. Inspired by ocean waves, its architecture blends local ethos with global design, featuring a 4000 sqm gridshell roof built with 15,000 pipes and 5,000 CNC-cut panels. Conceived through an international competition, NIWS symbolizes Goa’s maritime culture, advancing marine tourism and training while showcasing innovation in cost-efficient digital fabrication.

The National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa, designed by MOFA Studio, is Southeast Asia’s largest water sports institute. Inspired by ocean waves, its fluid form merges local ethos with global design through a 4000 sqm gridshell roof made of 15,000 pipes and 5,000 panels. The campus integrates institutional, residential, administrative, and recreational zones, encouraging interaction while advancing marine tourism and training.

Designed by M:OFA Studio, Goa’s National Institute of Water Sports features a wave-like, sustainable form symbolizing the sea’s dynamism, blending local materials, climatic responsiveness, and global identity into an iconic landmark.

MOFA Studios designed the National Institute of Water Sports in Panaji, Goa, inspired by the sea’s dynamic nature. The 15,000-square-metre centre features three curved, interconnected steel gridshell volumes clad in scaly panels, symbolising waves. It houses accommodation, an Olympic pool, teaching areas, and an auditorium, with fluid spaces encouraging informal interactions. Large windows offer sea views, while bridges, plazas, and a rainwater pond integrate the centre with its coastal surroundings.

The water sports complex in Goa by M:OFA Studios captures the dynamic essence of the sea through its wave-inspired form. The design mimics the surge and rhythm of an ocean wave, symbolizing movement, energy, and fluidity. Its curving architecture not only reflects the natural force of water but also creates an immersive environment that enhances the spirit of aquatic adventure.

National Institute of Water Sports by MOFA Studio creates a bold iconic statement that transcends functional pragmatism in institutional architecture. The design seeks to integrate water sports’ cultural and economic significance into education, ensuring state-of-the-art training and development for local lifeguards and tour operators. They aimed to balance local ethos with a global approach, using local materials at the ground level and a poetic floating roof to create a balanced educational experience.

The National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa, designed by M:OFA Studio, is Southeast Asia’s largest water sports institute. Conceived through an international competition, it blends local ethos with global design, featuring a dynamic wave-inspired parametric roof built from over 15,000 pipes and 5,000 CNC-cut panels. The institute promotes marine tourism education, balancing tight budgets with advanced technology, creating a fluid, interactive campus that reflects the sea’s energy and Goa’s cultural identity.

The National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa, designed by M:OFA Studio, is a dynamic architectural masterpiece inspired by the sea. The building’s wave-like form represents constant motion, with a lightweight, digitally fabricated roof of 15,000 pipes and 5,000 custom panels. The design blends local materials with global innovation, ensuring functionality, sustainability, and inspiration for adventurers, while overcoming budget constraints with cost-efficient techniques and a strong connection to Goa’s maritime culture.

果阿国家水上运动研究所（NIWS）的设计灵感来自海洋的动态特性，屋顶的波浪形态象征着海洋的流动与能量。建筑通过流动空间和光影变化创造不断运动的效果，模糊了建筑元素的界限。采用数字制造技术，超过15000根管道和5000块定制屋顶板拼接成梯形面板网格壳结构，既满足功能性又呈现出动态美感，成为印度最复杂的数字制造屋顶之一。

The National Institute of Water Sports in Panjim, Goa, designed by M:OFA Studio, reflects the Arabian Sea’s dynamic energy through a wave-inspired form created with over 5,000 custom panels. Fluid zoning blends formal and informal spaces, while shifting perspectives and light play evoke motion, making the building an immersive experience. Using digital fabrication, the design serves as both a landmark and a vibrant symbol of adventure and exploration for water sports enthusiasts.

Inspired by the sea, the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Panjim, Goa, has recently been completed by MOFA Studio.

O Governo de Goa lançou um concurso internacional para o Instituto Nacional de Esportes Aquáticos, buscando uma arquitetura além do pragmatismo funcional. O objetivo era duplo: criar uma declaração ousada e icônica e introduzir inovação no cenário arquitetônico de Goa — uma linguagem global, porém enraizada, que ressoe o vernáculo através de materiais locais.

The National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa represents a bold architectural statement, moving beyond conventional pragmatism. The design embraces a dynamic, wave-inspired form, mimicking the sea’s fluid energy through parametric, CNC-cut roof panels. The structure integrates local materials and spaces that encourage informal interaction. The lightweight grid shell roof is a structural marvel, blending global innovation with Goan vernacular, while ensuring sustainability and functionality.