2. INTRODUCTION
A project on “Houses of Goa
Museum”, a unique building
by famous architect Gerard
Da Cunha.
This building is one of the
most different shaped
building’s in India.
Ar. Gerard Da Cunha has
given the shape of a boat to a
building that serves as a
partition of roads.
3. Site details
Location: Goa, India.
Address: Opp. Nisha's Play School,
Torda | Salvador do
Mundo, Porvorim, Goa - 403101.
Entire Project Cost: 2 million Rs.
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Construction Details:
Started: 18th June 1996
Finished: 26th September 1997
4. Building typology
It is a commercial building.
‘Houses of Goa’, is a unique museum by
a well known reputed architect Gerard
Da Cunha.
This building is combination of both
Eastern as well as Western architectural
styles.
The museum itself is designed to look
like a ship, with traffic flowing on all the
sides of the building.
5. A curious triangle that
looks a lot like a ship, the
museum stands on a traffic
island right in the middle of
the road.
Inside, you can discover the
curious layers of this odd
shaped building and also
the many treasures it holds.
The museum delves into
the history of architecture
in Goa.
6. Spread across three levels, the museum
has plenty of pictorial displays and a
collection of artefacts that one can
browse through.
On the first level, there’s
thrilling series of sketches by
Mario Miranda that features
the history of Goa.
They also delve into how
architecture developed after
the Portuguese colonised the
State.
7. On the second floor, there are
various artefacts and paintings
from homes in Goa.
A wooden coat hanger that
opens out like an umbrella and
ornate headboards, there’s also
a pair of wooden hands that were
used to hold pictures and
mirrors. These are some of more
curious items of display here.
There are also railings, doorways,
and other pieces of furniture.
8. In the third floor, you will find more
displays on the features of a typical
Goan home – from the
BALCOAS{the sit-outs} to the vibrant
Tulsi Vrindavans that can be found in
old Hindu homes.
The other side of the third floor is
decorated by the typical halls of
Goan homes, the old chair near the
window with paintings on the walls
and old wooden furniture's arranged
neatly with limited decoration.
This floor has the maximum amount
of light because of number of
windows and openings.
9. Throughout the building the spiral staircase plays a prominent
role in the aesthetics of the building.
The brick pillar is the core that helps to support the steps and
gives the interior a unique significance.
The circular staircase on each floor is decorated in various
ways by paintings, posters and ancient Portuguese
equipment's.
The staircase is supported by an iron rod which stiffens the
circular surface.
10. AR. GERARD DA CUNHA
BIOGRAPHY
• Gerard da Cunha maintains his practice from
the old Portuguese colony of Goa, which he
considers has a novel history in that it was the
site of the ‘first sustained encounter between
the East and the West’.
• If you’re ever in Goa, drive to a place called
Torda. Here you will come across a strange,
bending brick building shaped like a ship. It’s
the way to discover the heart and soul of Goa
and also the creator of this ship-like structure –
Gerard da Cunha.
11. The building is a museum called ‘Houses Of Goa’ that pays homage to the way Goa is
built.
The three storeys of old doors and pillars is this architect-conservator’s way of telling
vital stories of how heritage informs identity and why it’s important to keep that alive.
Even if da Cunha, 61 is now identified more with preserving Goa’s heritage, he’s been
renowned equally for being one of India’s first few green architects, one who believes in
utilising locally available material in harmony with it’s ecosystem.
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IMPORTANT PROJECTS :
Nrityagram of Bangalore
Main Building
Library of Hampi’s Kannada University
Kutiram Tourist Resort of Bangalore
JVSL Township in Torangallu
Day Care Centre
House of Goa
Nisha’s Play School Of Goa
14. ANALYSIS
The windows, projections, balcony’s and
the balcoas give the building, the
appropriate amount of light.
Whereas the triangular and various
other shapes of the building act as light
reducing filters and help to create a cool
impact over the entire structure.
The head of the ship is faced towards
West, hence the wind flow is moderate
throughout the entire building.
The building lies in the semi-tropical
part of the state.
15. This building is entirely
made up of bricks
Ar. Gerard da Cunha has
been awarded for his use
of eco-friendly and green
projects
Cheaply available
materials were used to
create this building.
This building has the form
of the design of a boat.
It’s geometry is triangular
and circular.
16. THANK YOU
PRESENTED BY :
1. Shounak. P. Kshirsagar 01
2. Prajal . S. Lomte 12
3. Yash. Y. Maind 16
4. Nakul .O. Mirajkar 19
5. Shwetali. S. Palsande 31
