DESIGNING A HOUSE IN GOA: SERIES PART 9 : LOCAL MATERIALS & MONOCHROME INTERIOR FINISHES

The earth in Goa is a distinct red color due to a higher iron content hence the laterite stone which is local to Goa has the same red hue and a beautiful porous texture. We tend to feature exposed laterite stone walls often in our buildings and landscaping. We also use red terracotta roof tiles on our building roofs. We find that this allows our buildings to merge into the landscape.

RED TERRACOTTA ROOF TILES

In our building interiors, as a thumb-rule we tend to use a single floor finish throughout the house. Our preference has been in the use of natural stone and we tend to use locally available stones such as Kudupah, Kota, Tandoor and Jaisalmer. We often use the same stone in the interior and exterior of the rooms, sometimes varying the texture and finish of the indoor and outdoor stone for a subtle difference that can mostly only be felt under one’s bare feet.

In the building interiors, we also have a great preference for the use of cement finish or IPS. For us, this finish works very well with our desire for an earthy look and feel. An IPS finish feels smooth and cool to one’s touch and its natural weathering, slight patchiness and cracks mimics the imperfections found in nature.

(ABOVE) INDOOR-OUTDOOR FLOORING AT NAVOVADO

We used mirror polished Kota stone in the interior and the verandah in the central courtyard at Navovado. I really like the way the same flooring flows in and out. This accentuates the connection of the indoor-outdoor. I also feel that the faded green color of Kota stone works very well with the green landscape outside. The flow if very pleasing to the eye and not jarring with unnecessary boundaries. We took the Kota in a rough texture on top of the swimming pool edge to once again tie all the elements together into one unified composition. This goes back to our design philosophy, where we feel that the central focus in our houses in Goa must be on the connection with the landscape.

(LEFT) IPS FINISH IN PROGRESS AT THE HOUSE WITH THREE PAVILIONS

EXPOSED LATERITE WALLS

INDOOR-OUTDOOR FLOORING AT NIVIM

We used mirror polished Kudupah in the interiors and a rough Kudupah in the verandahs.

INDOOR-OUTDOOR FLOORING AT NAVOVADO

We used mirror-polished Jaisalmer stone and a similar color vitrified tile on the terrace. The connection was further highlighted by using Jaisalmer again in the exterior skirting.

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