My very first college study trip to Goa was kicked off with an amazing day spent with Architect Gerard DaCunha in Houses of Goa Museum, where he explained his work, style and ideology. He is the founder and the principal architect of architecture firm ‘Architecture Autonomous’. He completed his studies from School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, India; and is known for utilizing locally available materials and traditional construction techniques in harmony with its ecosystem.
The Mario Museum Building, Houses of Goa Museum, Goa
When we visited the Houses of Goa Museum, the sight seemed to be familiar. Only one name struck my mind- Laurie Baker. Mr. Da Cunha has worked with Laurie Baker, and this style has been developed and used by him in his works as his career grew. Keeping in mind the topography and rich natural vegetation on the land, he built these buildings in a way to preserve nature as well as use it in his designs.The amazing brick work gave not only an aesthetic appeal, but also served for a purpose. The area, that turns usually hot and humid during summers as Goa is a coastal state. The brick work here is not only pleasing to the eye, but forms a jali and a space divider. This brick jali is the wall of a performance room. Having only one wall with windows, the bricks jali falicitateS smooth air flow and cross ventilation, side by side, blocking the views for those outside the building, providing privacy.
The brick Jali in the primary school
Bricks have been used with numerous courtyards in these buildings, along with different styles of bonds. Material usage has been maximized to the fullest, taking into consider each and every property of it. He has played really well with the light and ventilation system, also keeping privacy of the people inside the building intact. These were my reflections on the workshop by the end of the day, when he introduced himself and his works, took us around his buildings (owned by him and his wife) and asked us to sketch out a specific feature and make its elevations and plans. I sketched a brick jail wall, where bricks were placed in a way to direct air and ventilation inside and also maintain the privacy of the person inside. The room where this was carried out was a small performance practice room in the primary school. The Nisha’s play school, The Shiksha Niketan Primary school, the museum houses of Goa and also the Mario art gallery (since he was an admirer and collector of the artist’s works), weere the buildings we visited and I learnt a lot; buildings have a lot to them apart from their beauty. Each and every element has a purpose and is used for a reason, and this would be the very best example of the same.
The slide we all have dreamt of, at Shiksha Niketan Primary School
One more thing that came under my attention was the influence of Portuguese interior and architecture in these buildings. The sloping roof, typical to the Portuguese architecture was visible along with the courtyard system, which made it an Indo- Portuguese style. This was because of the Portuguese colonialisation, which had this socio- cultural and socio-economic change in the interior and architecture of these buildings. I also learnt how we can effectively communicate our ideas and our way to seeing things and places via sketches and drawings. According to Mr. DaCunha, “You have to feel the essence of the building, which will help you understand and interact with it”
The Indo-Portuguese House of the Houses of Goa Museum buildings
After a few hours of interaction, we bid adieu to Sir Gerard DaCunha. It was incredible to learn so much from him.
If any of you would be visiting Goa, India, do make sure to visit Architect Gerard Da Cunha’s ‘Museum Houses of Goa’ at H.No. 674, Near Nisha’s Play School, Torda, Salvador do Mundo, Bardez, Goa 403101, India. t will indeed add to your inventory of architectural knowledge.
The images given above are all in the houses complex at Houses of Goa Museum Building Complex.
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