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Investigation of

Built Form of Fontainhas


Based on Socio-Cultural Aspects.





A Project Report submitted to the Goa
University in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor of Architecture.









Guide: Researcher:
Arch. Ketak S. Nachinolkar Rohit .R. Nadkarni



Goa College of Architecture
Altinho, Panaji, Goa
May, 2003.

. .
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

April, 2003


Acknowledgements.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge all those who have helped me in getting this
dissertation to a successful conclusion.

Firstly I have to Acknowledge Arch. Ketak Nachinolkar, my guide for his constant
encouragement and guidance through the Dissertation. I would also like to thank my guide
for the theoretical base for developing a methodological approach to the dissertation.

I also like to acknowledge the head of the institution Prof. J aimini Mehta for the giving me
a different point of view and directions to work on the area of Fontainhas.

I also like to thank Mr. Ketan S. Govekar (Lecturer in Dhempe College of Arts and
Science, Miramar, Panaji) for his motivating discussions and making himself available at
all times, he has helped us to complete this study successfully well in time.

I am very grateful to the teaching faculty for discussion held during various stages of the
project.

I also have to thank the following officials, offices and individual for helping me in their
best possible capacities with access to information/data, which proved invaluable in
completing this thesis.
Mr. Percival Noronha, Panaji Goa.
The in charge and the staff of the Goa State Archives department.
Mr. Bronu Dias Souza, Architect, Panaji Goa.
Mr. Baskar Wagle, Architect, Panaji Goa.
Mr. Arminio Ribeiro Santana. Architect, Panaji Goa.
Mr. Milind Ramani, Architect, Panaji Goa.
I grateful to Mr. Sameer Madkaikar, Architect and Mrs. Suneel Gude from Fontainhas
who helped me at the site during the site surveys. I also like to thank the people of
Fontainhas for their co-operation during the site surveys

. .
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

This Dissertation would not have been completed, but for the invaluable help by my
friends in hostel and college during the time of working, to stay awake with me and for the
discussions we had had at all the odd hours for shaping the study.
II
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

TABLE OF CONTENTS.
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL ----------- I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ----------- II
TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------- III
LIST OF TABLES. ----------- V
LIST OF PLANS ----------- VI
LIST OF FIGURES -----------VII
GLOSSARY ------------- X

Secti on a- Introducti on.
1. I ntroducti on.
1.1 Introduction. -----------1
1.2 Rationale. -----------2
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study. -----------2
1.4 Hypothesis. -----------2
1.5 Scope and Limitation. -----------2
1.6 Operational Definition Scope. -----------3
1.7 Methodology. -----------3
1.8 Chapter Outline. -----------7

Section b- Social-Cultural Aspects and Built Form.
2. Al ternati ve Theori es.
2.1 Theory on Settlements. -----------9
2.2 Theory on House Form. -----------11
2.3 Theory on the Relation of House and Settlement. -----------12
2.4 Inferences. -----------12
2.5 Basic hypothesis. -----------12
3. Way of Li fe i n Goa.
3.1 The Earliest Community. -----------13
3.2 The Rulers. -----------13
3.3 Portuguese Policies. -----------14
3.4 Change in Way of Life. -----------15
3.5 Life of Communities. -----------16
III
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

3.6 Inferences. -----------17

Section c-Fontainhas as a Part of Panaji City.
4. Fontai nhas as a part of Panaj i ci ty.
4.1 Historical development. -----------20

Section d- Area of Fontainhas.
5. Way of l i fe and Bui l t Form.
5.1 Built Form . -----------28
5.2 Communities. -----------28
5.3 Hindu Community. -----------32
5.4 Catholic Community. -----------40
6. Soci o-Cul tural Factor and Bui l t Form.
6.1 Settlement Pattern. ----------49
6.2 Social Strata. ----------49
6.3 Built Open Relationship. ----------49
6.4 Typologies. ----------50
6.5 Scale. ----------50
6.6 Arrangement of Spaces. ----------51
6.6 Cross Cultural Influence. ----------56

Section e- Findings, conclusions and Recommendations.
7. Fi ndi ngs, concl usi ons and Recommendati ons.
7.1 Findings. ----------60
7.2 Conclusions. ----------64
7.3 Recommendations. ----------67
Bibliography.

Appendices.
I. Location plan of Panaji.
II. Questionnaire for occupant.
III. Observation schedule.
IV. Houses documented.
IV
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

LIST OF TABLES.
TITLE PAGE

5.1 Ownership, Occupation and Area Table for Hindu House. -----------34

5.2 Data Analysis- Hindu Houses. -----------40 a.

5.2 Ownership, Occupation and Area Table for Catholic Houses. ------------43

5.4 Data Analysis- Catholic Houses. ------------48 a.

6.1 a. Ownership, Occupation and Area Table for C Hindu Houses. ------------51

6.1 b. Ownership, Occupation and Area Table for C Hindu Houses. ------------51

6.2 a. Data Analysis- Hindu Houses. ------------55 a.

6.2 b. Data Analysis -Catholic Houses. ------------55 b.




V
. .
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

LIST OF PLANS

TITLE PAGE

1.1 Location plan of Panaji, Fontainhas. ----------1

1.2 Study area. ----------3 a.

4.1 Location of Panaji and Fontainhas. ----------21

4.2 Plan of Panaji -1510. ----------23 a.

4.3 Plan of Panaji- Between 1510-1631. ----------24 a.

4.4 Plan of Panaji- Between 1632-1780. ----------25 a.

4.5 Plan of Panaji- Between 1780-1843. ----------25 b.

4.6 Plan of Panaji- Between 1843-1961. ----------26 a.

5.1 City of Panaji Showing Fontainhas. ----------28

5.2 Community Profile of Fontainhas. ----------28 a.

5.3 Hindu area studied in Fontainhas. ----------33

5.4 Study Area- Location of Puja Spaces in Houses. ----------34

5.5 Ground floor plan of Mr. Madkaikars house. ----------35

5.6 First floor plan of Mr. Wagles house. ----------35

5.7 Ground floor plan of Mr. Wagles house. ----------36

5.8 Ground floor plan of Mr. Raikars house. ----------36

5.9 Ground floor plan of Mr. Pai Raikar house. ----------36

5.10 Ground floor plan of Mr. Madkaikars house. ----------37

5.11 Ground floor plan of Mr. Wagles house. ----------37

5.12 study Area-Placement of Openings. ----------38

5.13 Catholic area studied in Fontainhas. ----------41

5.14 Ground floor plan of Mr. Sequeiras house. ----------44

5.15 Ground floor plan of Mr. Noronhas house. ----------44

5.16 Ground floor plan of Mr. Sequeiras house. ----------45
VI
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .


5.17 Ground floor plan of Mr. P. Noronhas house. ----------45

5.18 Study Area-Placement of Openeings. ----------46

6.1 Community profile of Fontainhas. ----------49

6.2 Ground floor plan of Mr. Madkaikars House. ----------53

6.3 Location of the Interface Area. ----------53 a

6.4 House plans of Mr. Gude. ----------56

6.5 House plans of Mr. Chopdekar. ----------57





































VII
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

LIST OF FIGURES.

TITLE PAGE

2.1 Organization of Built Form. -----------9

2.2 Factors Effecting House Form. -----------11

3.1 The Earliest Settlers. -----------13

4.1 Adil Shahs castle-1950s -----------23

4.2 Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church.-1950s -----------24

4.3 Linhares bridge -1950s -----------24

4.4 Rau de Ourem-1950s -----------26

4.5 St. Sebastian Chapel. -----------27

5.1 Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church. -----------30

5.2 A Cross Next to the Chapel of St. Sebastian. -----------30

5.3 Fonte phoenix. -----------31

5.4 St. Sebastian chapel. -----------32

5.5 The Small Raised Platform along the Road Acting as Buffer.------32

5.6 Mr. Verlekars house. -----------39

5.7 Mr. Wagles house. -----------40

5.8a St. Sebastiao squarel. -----------42

5.8b View of 31
st
J anuary road.

5.9 The Natal Well. -----------42

5.10 Alter space in Mr. Rebieros house. -----------43

5.11 Window upholstery in Mr. Rebieros house. -----------44

5.12 View of Mr. Rebieros house. -----------47

5.13 View of Mr. Noronhas house. -----------47

6.1 View of the street on the Hindu side of the Settlement. -----------50

6.2 View of Mr. Rebieros house. -----------54
VII1
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .


6.3 View of Mr. Noronhas house. -----------54

6.4 A View of the Hindu Settlement Area. -----------55

6.5 Puja Space- In Chopdekars House. -----------56

6.6 View of Mr. Gudes house -----------58
IX
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects.
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

GLOSSARY.
BALCAO- Portuguese name for a portico at the entrance of houses, normally used as a
sitting-out place.

CONSERVATION: Sir Bernard Fielden defines conservation as an action taken to prevent
decay. The basis for this action is the realization of value or importance of an entity.
Therefore conservation act for preventing decay and loss based on the knowledge of the
value of an entity.

CORNICE- The uppermost member of the entablature, surmounting the freeze, plaster
moldings round the ceiling of rooms at its junction with the walls: to furnish with a
Cornice.

FAADE- The face or elevation of a building.

GARBHA-GRIHA- The portion of the temple were the deity is housed.

LINTEL- The horizontal timber or stone also known as the Architecture that spans an
opening.

PARAPET-The portion of wall above the ground applied to the same features in balconies
or bridges.

PUJ A- Rites performed in Hindu idol-worship.

SILL- Flat piece of wood at the bottom of a window frame.

TOPOGRAPHY- Physical Features of place or locality.



X
Int roduct i on
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 1
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Secti on a- Introducti on.
1. Introducti on.
1. 1 Int roduct i on.
The dissertation looks at Fontainhas from
a different perspective. Fontainhas is not
only an architecturally rich settlement,
but it is also rich in its socio-culture
structure. The richness of its culture and
social structure gives the settlement a
unique look and physical richness. The
study deals with the investigation of the
rich built form of Fontainhas through its
rich socio-cultural structure.
Fontainhas ward is located in Panaji the
capital city of Goa, (Refer plan 1.1)
known for its unique cultural
atmosphere, which is the result of the
influences absorbed from the rulers of
the past and the 450 years long rule of
the Portuguese. These influences have
impacted the local traditions deeply in all
spheres and formed a distinct cultural
identity (way of life) of the people of
Goa.
Panaji was a small fishing village with
lots of coconut trees, creeks and fields.
For centuries it remained so and was a
neglected ward of Taleigao village with
the only massive structure, the Adil Shah
fort by the Mandovi River. With the
decline of Old Goa, the idea of Panaji
becoming the capital gained momentum,
from that time Fontainhas acted as the
residential settlement for the city. Over
time it has undergone many changes
under different administrations.
Along with the new section of the city
exists the surviving part of the old
settlement. The existing old settlements
are Fontainhas, St. Thome, Portais and
Campal.
Fontainhas, which consists of the Panaji
17
th
18
th
century residential quarters.
The narrow winding roads and buildings
with similar architectural character but
yet unique, making distinct homogenous
groups, creates a human and warm scale.
Main focus of the study was to study the
socio-cultural scenario, which affected
and shaped the settlement of Fontainhas.
A study on the socio-cultural aspects
while help to understand the socio-
cultural base which led the kind of
settlement pattern that exists today in
Fontainhas. It will also help in
understanding the diversity of house
pattern that is present in Fontainhas.

Goa
Plan 1.1 location plan of Panaji, Fontainhas.
Source-Ritu Prasad Aron
Panaji
Fontainhas
Int roduct i on
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 2
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

1.2 Rationale.
Fontainhas, a historic settlement within
the urban limits of Panaji, is being
subject to the increasing pressure of
modern life on its traditional fabric. Its
unique urban structure- a result of the
fusion of the vernacular Indian and the
foreign Portuguese- is a significant of the
times past. Being the only extant
reminder of a medieval settlement in the
area, it also gains importance because of
its historical associations- in the unique
social-cultural background of the people.
An important part of the history of
settlement concerns human behavior.
Through an examination of such
behavior, with a cultural approach, we
can begin to understand some of the basis
for urban settlements. This examination
of cultural origins of urban settlements
allows one to make a more detailed
exploration of an important aspect of
history and to understand more fully how
human behavioral patterns resulted in
subsequent urban settlement patterns and
house forms.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study.
The aim of the study is to Explore
Architecture as socio-cultural expression
through the case of Fontainhas.
Objectives.
In order to achieve the main aim the
following objective must be achieved.
Study Goan way of life in order to
understand the socio-cultural
scenario.
To understand important events
which led to a change in Socio-
cultural scenario.
To derive the historical development
of Fontainhas as part of Panaji City,
in order to understand the impact of it
on the settlement of Fontainhas.
To understand the community profile
of Fontainhas.
To study the built environment of
houses on the bases of socio-cultural
factor.

1.4 Central Argument
Built form is an expression of the socio-
cultural background. On this basic the
study is an attempt to explore the built
form of Fontainhas based on the socio-
cultural factors.

1.5 Scope and Limitation.
The focus of the study is to investigate
the influence of socio-cultural factors on
the built form of Fontainhas.
The major constraints in the study were
time; co-operation from the resident and
the limited resources available were not
towards the direction of the study.
The site area to be covered is only the
historic residential settlement of
Fontainhas and excludes the commercial
Int roduct i on
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 3
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

area, the extend of Fontainhas is bound
by Qurem creek and Shielded on the west
by the hillock of Conceicao (Altinho),
with the Corte de Oiteiro and Fonte
Phoenix presently marks the limits
towards North and south respectively.
For the purpose of the study the area
starts from the Corte de Oiteiro on the
northern side and area is extended on the
southern side of the fountain. Refer plan
1.2
The study does not go deeper into the
houses of lower strata or lower order in
the caste system and limited to the area
around the landmarks that are the St.
Sebastian chapel and the fountain of
Fonte Phoenix. The houses of lower
strata can be studied for further research.
The literature available in the local
libraries only source of information
available. Most of the earlier studies on
architecture of Fontainhas are missing
or misplaced. Most of the research done
by students of architecture from various
institutions in India is limited to only
documentation. Most of the research
carried out by local people is mostly
conservation oriented and limited only to
facades (exteriors).
The potential of the study will help the
people to understand built-form of
Fontainhas in a better manner and hence
will help in understanding the
architecture of the place, in order to
conserve it.
1.6 Operational Definition.
ARCHITECTURE: The art and science
of designing and building structure, or
large group of structures in keeping with
aesthetic and function criteria; structure
built in accordance with such principle.
BRAHMINS: members of Hindu
Community; highest caste and highly
culture-not a priestly caste.
CASTE: Indian Hereditary class with
members shunning intercourse with other
caste.
CULTURE: is a group of people who
have a set of values and beliefs and a
worldview that embody an ideal.
ENVIRONMENT: the combinations of
all external conditions, which may
influence, modify or otherwise affect the
action of a person.
SETTLEMENT: a place occupied by
settlers, small village.
SOCIAL: Living in communities:
concerned with (constitution of) society
or mutual relation of men or classes.
TYPOLOGY: nature of forms, elevation,
plan and spatial relationship of the house.

1.7 Methodology.
The methodological structure was
worked out in the following way.

Stage 1. Formulation of the Project.
Int roduct i on
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 4
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Existing State of Research.
Fontainhas, a historic settlement within
the urban limits of Panaji, is being
subject to the increasing pressure of
modern life. However, this historic site
stirred a lot of interest in past 4 decades,
in trying to conserve the place. A
majority of the works that came out
where in the form of writings, drawings
documenting the physical aspects,
illustrations and maps.
The major works of this time were the
description of the Panaji, along with its
historic settlements like Fontainhas, St
Thome, Portais etc. by Meneses Antonio,
under the title -Goa Notas Historicas
Volume-1Panjim, atraves dos seculos in
1977. Describing Panaji and Fontainhas
right from the 15
th
century onwards, and
giving details of the events during
different century, but it describes on the
prominent building of Panaji and
Fontainhas.
In recent times, i.e. since liberation in
1961, Fontainhas has found a popular
reference in almost all the books that
have been published on Goa. There are
no works devoted to understand the
social-cultural aspect and its impact on
the settlement. Most of the works are
based on the overall scale of Goa.
Students of different architecture
colleges either document Fontainhas, but
was only documented in purely physical
perspective where only the built-form is
looked at. There is no work taken till
now, to understand why the architecture
is rich and what are the reasons for the
place being so. Most of the works
conducted by professional are only on
schemes for conserving this place and
these works only limited in documenting
and conserving the facades of the
building.
In conservation perspective the following
works were taken up-
The Government of Goa, Daman and diu
through order dated 21.1.1984
constituted a committee to make
recommendations regarding preservation
of buildings and other sites, localities and
places of aesthetical, historical or
environment importance in Goa, Daman
and Diu. Fontainhas was apart of it, in
Fontainhas the conservation area was
identified and important houses was
listed. The report titled Conservation of
buildings and sites of historic and
aesthetic important was presented to
Government of Goa in 1987.
School of Planning and Architecture,
New Delhi conducted another study in
1984 headed by Mr. Bruno dais Souza
for Panjim Planning and Development
Authority tiled Conservation Areas.
Panaji. In this study all the old settlement
of Panaji City were visually and
physically surveyed (mainly facades) and
Int roduct i on
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 5
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

a conservation policy were framed for
these settlements.
In last decade Ritu Prasad Aron based a
study on Fontainhas in 1994 titled
Towards revitalization of the traditional
settlement of Fontainhas, Panaji. A case
study in Goa, India. Through guidelines
for its future development. This repor t
was based on data that was provided by
earlier work conducted by different
groups, mentioned earlier.
Thus existing state of research is thus,
inadequate and not sufficient to
understand cultural origins of the
settlements which allows in detailed
exploration of an important aspect of
history and to understand more fully how
human behavioral patterns resulted in
subsequent urban settlement patterns and
house forms.

Formulation.
This led to the framing of the Aims and
objectives of the study.
The methodological structure was based
on the theoretical studies on Origins of
settlement, influence of socio-cultural
factors on built forms, and the relation of
house and settlements by- Amos rapoport
a lecturer in Architecture at University
College London. He holds a master of
Architecture degree from the university
of Melbourne (Australia). He has taught
and done research at Melbourne
University and the University of
California, Berkley, and Lectured at
various other universities.

Research Approach.
The various theories on built form and
socio-cultural were studied, on basis of
this a basic hypothesis was derived. The
way of life in Goa was analyzed and it
was realized that the religion was one of
the major factors that determine the way
of life in Goa.
So in Case of Fontainhas the 2 major
Communities, based on the religion were
identified. On the basis of comparative
analysis the impact of socio-cultural
factor on the build form of the two
Communities were studied, and was
cross checked with the houses which
were cross culturally influenced.
On basis of socio-cultural basis the
architecture of Fontainhas was explored.

Stage 2. Data available.
The available sources of information.
Secondary sources-
Literature on theories on settlement
by Amos rapoport in order to
understand the influence of socio-
cultural factors on settlement and
built form
Secondary sources-literature and
description of the place left by
various visitors, which gave an idea
Int roduct i on
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 6
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

of the place and enabled construction
of a chronological development and
the events that led to it. Description
by various author about the cultural
scenario in Goa.
Old maps of the city from different
centuries to the present gave an idea
of how the place has changed
physically.
The different conservation studies
and physical documentation done by
professionals helped to understand
the architecture of Fontainhas to
some level.
Primary sources-
Detailed site survey.
Sites mapping to up date the
maps and identify the community
structure.
Residents interview to confirm
the community structure.
Identifying houses around the
landmarks and documenting
them.
Interview of the residents of
houses documented.

The textual data was systematized into an
inventory Format for individual
components.
With observations and interview the
community profile of the area was
invented.

Stage 3. Process of Analysis.
The mapped community profile was
analyzed and the patterns observed were
noted down and the reason for this was
identified. The major communities of
were identified and were analyzed on the
bases of the area around the landmarks of
the respective community. The samples
of houses around the landmark were
selected randomly and the architecture of
the place was explored based on socio-
cultural factors. The findings were cross
checked with cross cultural influence
(houses originally owned by catholic and
were bought by Hindus later on)
Stage 4. Deriving Conclusions and
Inferences.
After analyzing the houses that were
documented and cross checking it with
cross culturally influenced houses,
deriving conclusion and trying to explore
the built-form of Fontainhas based on
socio-cultural aspects.











Int roduct i on
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 7
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

The process-
















1.8 Chapter Outline.
The chapter of the report or a record of
the work done and organized as per the
work that was carried out.

The first section is the introduction of the
dissertation.
The first chapter is an introduction of the
dissertation and deals with basic
introduction of the project detailing the
rationale, the aims and objectives, the
scope and limitations and the
methodology.

The second section deals with the
understanding of the socio-cultural
aspects and built form, it also covers the
second and third chapters.
The second chapter is about the
alternative theories on settlements, house
form and the relation of house and
settlement. The basic hypothesis is
derived on the basis on theories
available.
The third chapter is an attempt to
understanding the way of life in Goa,
right from the earliest communities, the
rulers who ruled and influenced the
place, the pollicies of the Portuguese and
the life of communities in Goa.

The third section deals with
understanding the historical background
of the Fontainhas as a part of Panaji City.
The forth chapter deals with
understanding the historical background,
The origin of the name, the natural
determinant and the historical evolution
of the Fontainhas as a part of Panaji City.

The fourth section understands the built
form of Fontainhas based on the socio-
cultural aspects and covers the fifth and
the sixth chapter.
The fifth chapter deals with
understanding the settlement of
Fontainhas, identifying the communities
Theoretical study
Cultural
origin of
settlements.
Socio-cultural
aspect and
house form
Basic
hypothesis
Literature
Site
surveys.
Photos
and detail
Documentation
Investigate,
analyze and
explain.
Findings,
inferences and
conclusions
Int roduct i on
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 8
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

and studying the house form and the
settlement in details with respect to
socio-cultural factor.
The sixth chapter is a comparative study
of the communities in Fontainhas and
cross checking it with the cross cultural
influenced house.

The fifth section deals with finding
Inferences and conclusions and
recommendations.
The fifth chapter is about the findings of
the study and deriving conclusions and
recommendations based on the study.

























Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 9
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Section b-Social-Cultural aspects
and Built Form.
2. Alternative Theories.
2.1 Theory on Settlements.
Introduction
An important part of the history of
settlement concerns human behavior.
Through an examination of such
behavior, with a cultural approach, we
can begin to understand some of the basis
for urban settlements. This examination
of cultural origins of urban settlements
allows one to make a more detailed
exploration of an important aspect of
history and to understand more fully how
human behavioral patterns resulted in
subsequent urban settlement patterns.
The question is really why people build
environment. In order to understand built
environments, one should understand
how the human mind works. The human
mind imposes an order on the world. The
world is chaotic and disorderly.
Settlements, like all built environments,
are designed in the sense that embody
human decision, choices and specific
ways of doing things.

Culture.
Culture can be seen in 3 major ways, (1)
as a way of life that typifies the group;
(2) as a system of symbols, meanings and
(3) as a set of adaptive strategies for
survival linked to ecology and resources.
Thus culture is a group of people who
have a set of values and beliefs and a
worldview that embody an ideal.

Organization of the Built Environment.
Settlements are specific examples of built
environment one view of the
organization of built environment is the
organization of four things: (also see fig-
2.1)
1. Space.
2. Meaning.
3. Communication.
4. Time.

1. Space- Designers have always dealt
with space organization. The
environment can be seen as a series
of relationship among elements and
people (between things and other
Culture.
B
e
l
i
e
f
s

a
n
d

w
o
r
l
d
v
i
e
w
.

Dos and Donts
H
u
m
a
n

i
n
s
t
i
n
c
t
.

Space. Meaning.
Communication Time.
Built form of
settlement.

Fig 2.1 Organization of built form
Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 10
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

things, things and people). These
relationships are orderly and they
have a pattern and a structure. The
environment is not a random
assemblage of things. Objects and
people are related through various
degree of spatial separation. In facts,
design and planning, from landscape
of region to the furniture
arrangements of rooms, can be seen
as the organization of space for
different purposes, according to
various rules that reflect the culture
of the groups or individuals
involved.
2. Meaning- an urban form can have
three different meanings in a case:
location close to center may indicate
either high or low status, or it may
have no special significance. Any
space organization itself does
express meaning and symbolic
properties; meaning is often
expressed through signs, material,
colors, forms, landscaping and the
like. Meaning may coincide with
space organization and usually did in
most traditional settlements, so when
one discusses them one will be able
to concentrate on space organization.
It may, however, also represent a
separate symbolic system through
which different settings become
indicators of social position; a way
of establishing social identity and a
way of indicating expected behavior.
3. Communication- an urban
environments and settings within it,
can help social communication
among people (where as meanings is
communication from the
environment to people). Thus
environments, spatially and through
meanings, influence and reflect the
organization of communication.
Who communicates with whom,
what conditions, how when, where
and in which context, are important
ways in which built environment and
social organization are linked and
related. Environments reflect and are
ways of controlling interaction. Its
nature, intensity, rate and direction.
This control occurs through spatial
organization of meanings. When
people notice and understand hint in
the environment that signal to them
how to behave appropriately.
4. Time-The first concerns large-scale,
cognitive structuring of time. It
refers to concepts such as linear flow
versus cyclic time, future orientation
versus fast orientation, and the value
of time, and hence, how finely it is
sub-divided into units. This latter
concept relates to the second way in
which the organization of time can
be considered-the tempos and
Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 11
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

rhythms of human activities. Tempo
refers to the number of events per
unit of time, and rhythm to the
distribution of activities in time.
People may be separated in time as
well as or instead of, in space so
those groups with difference rhythms
that occupy the same space may
never meet.

2.2 Theory on House Form.
The listing and classification of house
types and forms does not give much
insight into the process of the creation of
form. In order to understand the creation
of house form the following factor
should be considered- Physical ones-
involving climate and the need for
shelter, materials and technology social
ones relating to economics, defense, and
religion.

Physical Determinants according to
Amos rapoport (lecturer in Architecture
at University College London), the
school of geography represented by de la
Blanche, Febvre, Sorre, and Brunhes has
been called possibilist because of its
stress on the fact that the physical setting
only provides possibilities, not
imperative, and it is man- not site or
climate-that decides. This applies to
many aspects of cultural geography and
economic life, as well as to the dwellings
and settlements. The great variety of
form strongly suggests that it is not site,
climate, or materials that determine
either the way of life or habitat. (refer
fig-2.2
Religion- religious ceremonial has
almost always preceded and
accompanied a house from foundation,
erection, and occupation. Religion affects
the form, plan, spatial arrangements, and
orientation of the house, and may be the
influence, which leads to the existence of
rectangular house.
In India religion and the traditional
occupation are the main factors those
influences the way of life. In India
occupation was directly determined by
the taboos set by religion. (Hence Caste
and occupation were directly related).

M
a
t
e
r
i
a
l
s
.


B
e
l
i
e
f
s

a
n
d

w
o
r
l
d
v
i
e
w
.

Dos and Donts
Order and Disorder.
H
u
m
a
n

i
n
s
t
i
n
c
t
.

House form.
Human the
dominating factor
Physical settings only
provides options
T
o
p
o
g
r
a
p
h
y
.

Climate.
Culture.
Religion
Fig-2.2. Factors effecting house form.
Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 12
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

2.3 Theory on the Relation of House
and Settlement.
The house cannot be seen in isolation
from the settlement, but must be viewed
a part of a total social and spatial system
which relates the house, way of life,
settlement, and even landscape. Man
lives in the whole settlement of which the
house is only a part, and the way in
which he uses the settlement affects
house form, as, for example, in areas
where the meeting place is the house, and
others where the meeting place is a part
of the settlement, such a as street or
plaza. Geography as well as architecture
has usually separated study of the house
from the settlement, yet the need to look
at the house as the part of a larger system
confirms that the house conveys little
sense outside of its setting and context.
Because the living pattern always
extends beyond the house to some
degree, the form of the house is affected
by the extend to which one lives in it and
the range of activities that take place in
it.

2.4 Inferences
The examination of cultural origins
of urban settlements allows one to
make a more detailed exploration of
an important aspect of history and to
understand more fully how human
behavioral patterns resulted in
subsequent urban settlement patterns.
Culture can be seen in 3 major ways,
(1) as a way of life that typifies the
group; (2) as a system of symbols,
meanings and (3) as a set of adaptive
strategies for survival linked to
ecology and resources.
The great variety of house form
strongly suggests that it is not site,
climate, or materials that determine,
its either the way of life or habitat.
The physical setting only provides
possibilities, not essential, and it is
man- not site or climate-that decides.
Man lives in the whole settlement, of
which the house is only a part, and
the way in which he uses the
settlement affects house form.

2.5 Basic Hypothesis-.
In a settlement, Physical factors-
involving climate and topography,
materials and technology only provides
possibilities, but its the social-cultural
(way of life) factors that determines the
build form.





The above theories were based on the book
by Rapoport Amos, 1969- Houses form and
culture and the article by the same author in
Introduction to urban planning titled-on the
cultural origins of settlements.
Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 13
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

3. Way of Life in Goa.
3.1 The Earliest Community.
The community in the region comprises
of different ethnic races since pre-historic
times. Most of them the Negritos, Proto-
Austailiods, Dravidians and Aryans form
the composure of Goas people
1
. Most
of these races some way or other
contribute to the development of Goa and
its architecture. Among these races the
most prominent one were Aryans, they
bought with them the caste system as in
rest of India, which shaped the settlement
pattern as per the social order. This led to
a hierarchy in the settlement, with the
upper castes occupying the major
locations near temples, street junctions
etc and lower castes behind them in areas
of lesser importance.
Goa original inhabitants were kols,
Munda(Mundaris), Kharwis, and others.
(Refer fig-3.1) These people took up
hunting and fishing as primary
occupations and primitive form of
agriculture as a secondary occupation the
kunbis and Guaddes are descendents of
Goas earliest settlers
2
.
As the hunter-gatherer changed his
lifestyle and a more agrarian community
developed, people became what we call
settlers. The concept of land and property
ownership developed
3
. Probably due to a
strong sense of community living, houses
at this time were located close to one
another, creating narrow alleys. As one
moved through this linear space, it
periodically opened out into small
squares. There was, of course, no pattern
or regularity of the squares it evolved
according to the topography of the area.

3.2 The Rulers.
The rulers of Goa can be traced from 5
th

A.D. the Satavahanas and
Chutus(Bhuddists). They were follwed
by-
Bhojas 6
th
A.D. (Bhuddists)
Mouryas-7
th
A.D. (Bhuddists)
Silaharas-8
th
to 11
th
A.D.
Kabamba-11
th
to 14
th
A.D.
Fig-3.1. The earliest settlers
Source- Mario Miranda
References: -
1-2-3. Houses of Goa.Pg.12.by- Pandit Heta.


Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 14
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

After the Kadambas, Mohammedan
invasions and subsequent rule bought the
Muslims1435. Who were evicted by the
Portuguese or forcibly converted.
Unlike the British, the Portuguese came
to India merely as conquerors or
colonizers, but they were followed by the
catholic missionaries; for them the
process of occupying foreign territories
was not complete unless and until they
had christianized the subjects of those
territories as well.

3.3 Portuguese Pollicies.
The Portuguese bought Christianity to
the shores of India. Forcible conversions
followed by missionaries once the
Portuguese established themselves in the
land. Incentives were given to converts
such as retaining land holdings and
previous customs and traditions.
Sheltering behind a special dispensation
of Pope Gregory XV, given in 1623, that
Brahmins converted to Catholicism
might wear their sacred threads and
caste-marks, they bodily transported the
entire caste structure of the Hindus into
their adopted religion
4
. What the Hindus
call their Sanskars, their inherited racial
traits, had survived almost intact.
The caste structure in Goa was as follow-
1- Higher order- Brahmins,
Kshatriyas, shets, (derivative of
Brahmins) vaishya and Vanis.
2- Lower order- Sudras and Gavddi
or Kunnbi.
The same caste system got transferred in
the catholic religion.
All public jobs were to be given to those
who had become Christians. Later still,
there were even more stringent laws,
making it a crime for Hindus to practice
their religion even in the privacy of their
houses. The punishment prescribed was
the confiscation of all property.
Thus the main community groups were
the Hindus and Christians, because of
conversions and denial of civil liberties;
the Hindu community remained insecure
for a long time. Each Hindu was devoted
to a particular deity, which their ancestor
worshiped. During conversion these
people along with their deities shifted
from their original places to places like
Ponda, Pernem etc. where there was no
Portuguese influence during that period.
They are existing there till date. Thus
causing disruption of their rituals. The
local converts to Christianity were also
not fully content as they were considered
an inferior lot by the Portuguese and
were denied opportunities. Thus the
Portuguese were considered alien and
were looked at in a negative attitude.
References: -
4. Inside Goa. Pg.14. by- Malgonkar Manohar.


Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 15
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

References: -
5. Cidades Indo-Portuguesas Indo-Portuguese Cities. Pg.104 .
6. Cidades Indo-Portuguesas Indo-Portuguese Cities. Pg.105.
7. Fontainhas- living with the past. Pg.2 Article by- Noronha Percival.

3.4 Change in Way of Life
Events-
During the Marquis of Pombal when
D. francisco de Tavora (1550-54)
was the viceroy in India, total
religious freedom, including
permission to built temples (+1755),
was granted even before the most
basic citizens rights
5
.
In 1774, among the various reform
measures from the Pombaline
administration of the Portuguese
State of India, one granted all natives
rights equal to those of people living
in Portugal. A process for the
refoundation of Goa was also
drawn up in 1774, covering both
documents and typologies. The
combination of three constitutes the
swansong of what is called
Pombalism.
6

By this time invasions from other
Indian chieftains such as the
Marathas also stopped.
In may 1834, during the reign of
King D. Pedro IV, the Minister of
J ustice, J oaquim Antonio de Aguiar,
decreed the abolition of religious
orders that left a trail of destruction in
Old Goa where a large number of
churches and convents were being
looked after by the members of
various religious orders
7
.
Because of the above events Hindus
started accepting Portuguese ways of life
and their styles of Architecture. Local
masons adapted and experimented with
modifications of European forms into the
local buildings to suit the local materials
and tastes.
Houses up till this time were in thick
walls. With small windows punctured
into the bare faade devoid of
ornamentation, with almost a fortress like
appearance. The windows became larger
opening out to the secure atmosphere.
Decorative elements such as to the secure
atmosphere. Decorative elements such as
pilasters, cornices, moldings found a
place in the faade; which were inspired
by the Portuguese styles. These were
grander than the Portuguese houses and
were more towards a leisurely lifestyle
and entertaining. These houses responded
to the street through the verandas and
balconies or even the window. Thus,
once sees a change-taking place. A house
previously introverted was slowly
become extroverted.

3.5 Life of Communities.
a. Hindu.
Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 16
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

References: -
8. Village Goa. Pg.77 by. Olivinho J . F. Gomes.


As mention earlier, Aryans were the one
who bought the caste system, which
shaped the settlement pattern as per the
social order. With the upper castes
occupying the major locations near
temples, street junctions etc and lower
castes behind them in areas of lesser
importance.
The caste system in Goa followed a
specific order. Bamonn or the Brahmins
belonged to the originally priestly class
yet taking up other occupation like
agriculture, trade and commerce
(merchants), goldsmith etc; the Chadde
or the Kshatriyas were noblemen,
worriers, and related soldiery, yet taking
up commercial avocations also: the
Vaishya-Vanis were engaged in trade and
among them the goldsmiths pursuing the
craft of gold and gold ornaments; the
Sudir or the Sudras were the workers and
agricultural laborers engaged in
servivcing professions. The Gavddi or
Kunnbi were the landless labourers,
earlier dislodged by the above high
castes and living in their own wards in
the village. Ther were Gauddo or
Gaudde, probably the Vaishya
counterparts in Goa, on Karnatakas
Gowda, as ther are Gauds found in
the Canacona taluka of Goa, on
Karnatakas border even today through
very few in number
8
.
The Hindu way of life started with a
daily routine Puja, which was held in a
sacred space in the house. Each Hindu
was devoted to a particular deity, which
their ancestor worshiped. During
conversion these deity were shifted from
their original places. They are exists
there till date. The Hindus visited their
temple (goddess/deity) once a month or
only during festival time or may be on an
occasion. So the temple never acted as a
point of orientation in the Hindu urban
settlement unlike in case of catholic
settlement.
Hindu religion followed very strict
rituals. Every morning it starts with, the
head of the family performing Puja of the
deities housed. The same way during
evening after sunset, the women light a
lamp near the Tulsi or Tulas. Puja space
is considered very scared in Hindu
Culture. Like the temple where only the
priest is allowed in the Garbha Griha. In
the same way the Puja space in the house
is a very sacred, the access is limited
mostly to the inhabitants.
b. Catholic.
The Portuguese bought Christianity to
the shores of India. Forcible conversions
followed by missionaries once the
Portuguese established themselves in the
Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 17
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

References: -
9. Village Goa. Pg.78 by. Olivinho J. F. Gomes.


land. Incentives were given to converts
such as retaining land holdings and
previous customs and traditions.
Thus, all the castes or rather sub-castes
or J atis which were then distinct by
themselves, like Saraswats, Karades,
Chiptpavans, Padhyes etc. among the
Brahmins or some claimants to
brahminhood among the various
segments of the population of Goa,
particularly the goldsmiths and some
merchants probably, as seen from the
surnames of members of communes so-
called all Brahmin, were lumped into
Christian caste of Bamomn or Brahmin.
Similarly the various groups among the
Kshatriyas or locally Known as Chaddho
among the Hindus at that time (Chaddo
Purus being even venerated in temples)
mainly the noble, warrior class, some of
them possibly being engaged in the
trading profession, known as Chatim on
that account, which was an occupational
appellation common to Brahmins also, as
seen from the baptism and other records
of the period, continued to be called by
the same appellation after conversion.
So was the case with other class
9
.
A church is an important symbol in any
catholic settlement because a catholic
needs too go to the church at least once
in a week for a mass. (Catholics usually
prayed in communities) Because of these
church/chapel always acted as the core in
catholic area.
Since the Goan Catholic were all
converts, they had a altar space in their
houses which was considered
sacred.(these was influence Hindu
influence)

3.6 Inferences-
Way of life in Goa is a derivative of
the various ethnic races and the rulers
that influenced it over the time.
The dominant communities in Goa
are the Hindu and the catholic
community and their sub groups. The
original inhabitants of Goa belonged
to Hindu faith; they followed
complex rituals, which evolved
through time and influences. After
Portuguese invasions the Goan were
given incentives and forcible
converted Goans and they bodily
transported the structure of the
Hindus into their adopted religion.
Because of the above factor the main
community groups were Hindus and
converted Christians.
Both the communities were denied
civil liberties during the 16
th
and 17
th

century. The Hindu community
remained insecure for a long time.
Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 18
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Even the local converts to
Christianity were also not fully
content as the Portuguese considered
them as inferior lot.
18
th
century was the point of change
in way of life. The main event that
led to it was 1774, along with various
reform measures the Pombaline
administration of Portuguese
administration of India led by
Marquis of Pombal granted all native
rights equal to those people living in
Portugal. Because of these the
Hindus started accepting Portuguese
way of life and their style of
architecture.
Nature of Settlement-
Aryans bought caste, which
shaped the settlement pattern as
per the social order. The caste
system led to a hierarchy in the
settlement, with the upper castes
occupying the major locations
near temples, street junctions etc
and lower castes behind them in
areas of lesser importance.
A church is an important symbol
(landmark) and was core area in
any catholic settlement because a
catholic needed too go to the
church at least once in a week for
a mass. (Catholics usually prayed
in communities). During
conversion these deity were
shifted from their original places.
They are exists there till date. The
Hindus visited their temple
(goddess/deity) once a month or
only during festival time or may
be on an occasion. So the temple
never acted as a point of
orientation in the Hindu urban
settlement unlike in case of
catholic.

Nature of Spaces-
Hindu religion follows very strict
rituals. Every morning it starts with,
the head of the family performing
Puja of the deities housed. The same
way during evening after sunset, the
women light a lamp near the Tulsi or
Tulas. Puja space is considered very
scared in Hindu Culture. Like the
temple where only the priest is
allowed in the Garbha Griha. In the
same way the Puja space in the house
is a very sacred, the access is limited
mostly to the inhabitants. Since the
Goan Catholic were all converts they
had a similar space (altar space) in
their houses, but they dint have strict
ritual like the Hindus.
Privacy was another important
element in houses in Goa. Where
women oriented spaces were placed
away from public spaces. The culture
and the beliefs in each community
Soci o-Cul t ural Aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 19
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

determined the percentage and
placement of private spaces.
Relation of the house with the street
was another important factor
determined by the socio-cultural
background of the people. The way
the house was oriented and the way
the openings were placed, it
controlled the level of
communication with the neighbors
and the settlement.
Font ai nhas as a Part of Panaj i Ci t y.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 20
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Section c-Fontainhas as a Part of
Panaji City.
4. Fontainhas as a Part of Panaji
City.
4.1 Historical Development.
The historical time line of Panaji is
constructed from various secondary
sources. The sources include the
description of the place by various
visitors at different time periods,
researches, articles and papers.
Panaji being the capital city of Goa finds
mention in almost all literature works on
Goa. Older texts describes the place as a
neglected ward of Taligao village, it was
in fact a large coconut grove interspersed
with ponds, backwaters, creeks, canals,
sand dunes and paddy fields. The only
construction existing there was 15
th

century castle built by Adil Shah on the
left margin of the river Mandovi River;
but the recent ones concentrate on Panaji
as the capital city. The most
comprehensive account is one left by
Antonio Meneses, 1977 -Goa Notas
Historicas Volume-1Panjim, atraves dos
seculos.
The available information on the place is
on
The historical evolution of the place
through different phases in time.
The description of the place is most
elaborate in the 17
th
, 18
th
and 19
th

century, which was the peak of glory.
The building and the architecture
most substantial in the 18
th
and 19
th

century.

4.1.1 The Name of the Place.
Panaji-The earliest reference to Panaji
is noticed in the inscription of the
Kadamba King, Tribhuvanamalla alias
Vijayaditya and is dated February 7,
1107. It described the charitable deeds
Purta Dharmas of Gandgopal Kalima,
who was then administering the Panaji
region on behalf of his Kadamba lord
and refer Panaji as Pahajani Khalli-
Pahajani from which Panaji supposedly
gets its name and Khalli probably refers
to the creeks and backwaters abounding
in the area. The first few Portuguese
chronicles, soon after conquest of Goa
refer to Panaji as Panaji or Ponji, which
mean land that never got flooded.
According to one Portuguese philologist,
Gonsalves Cardoso in its journal of
Travelling he writes that the word
Pongy is derived from Panch Yama
Afsumgamy or five wonderful castle of
Muslim King, Ismail Adil Shah, and his
wives used to live
10
.
References: -
10. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.103.
Font ai nhas as a Part of Panaj i Ci t y.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 21
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

References: -
11. Fontainhas- Living with the past. - Pg.1. Article by- Percival Noronha.
Fontainhas-the place is locally known as
Mala, which appears to be its original
name or a derivative. Nothing much is
known about the origins of this name.
The phenomenon of expansion of the
settlement in the area was mainly due to
the existence of a spring of crystalline
waters. At the time of governor, Viscount
of Ourem, J oaquim J ose J anuario Lapa
(1851-55), an artistic reservoir in basalt
stone was built around this spring known
as Fonte Phoenix which provided three
taps of potable water to the city.
Ultimately, the area due to the existence
of this fountain was called
Fontainhas
11
.

4.1.2 Natural Determinants.
Panaji- is located along the southern
bank of river Mandovi, in the taluka of
Tiswadi. The waters of the river
Mandovi, on the north and the west
surround it, and on the east is the
Fontainhas creek. Refer plan 4.1. 10 km
beyond lies the city of Old Goa. It is
dominated by an irregular shaped
plateau-like hill, Altinho.
Due to its strategic position, at the mouth
of the river Mandovi, it served as an
important military post, to control the
Plan 4.1 location of Panaji and Fontainhas Source-Ritu Prasad Aron
Fontainhas
Panaji
Goa.
Font ai nhas as a Part of Panaj i Ci t y.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 22
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

entrance of the river and protect the city
of Goa- (Old Goa) the capital, from
invasions.
Aligning growth with the major corridor
(river) is a common response. The
original settlement stretched along the
water, with street parallel to the waters.
Fontainhas- Fontainhas is a narrow
stretch of land bounded on the east by
Ourem creek and shielded on the west by
the hillock of Conceicao (Altinho), with
he Corte de Oiteiro and Fonte
Phoenix presently mark the limits
towards North and South respectively.
Refer plan 4.1. In 1500 it was a
reclaimed palm grove, bordered by a
creek on one edge and the hill. . Till 18th
century, the whole area was an alluvial
soil with few paddy fields, which later
got developed as an extensive coconut
grove
12
.
Fonte Phoenix a natural spring located at
the foot of the hill providing clear
crystalline water around which the initial
settlement grew in the early days of the
history of Panaji City.

4.1.3 Historical Evolution.
a. The Beginnings- the exact beginning
of this place is obscure but dates to the
12th century. The earliest reference to
Panaji is noticed in the inscription of
Kadamba King, Tribhuvanamalla alies
Vijayaditya and is dated February 7,
1107
13
. When the Kadamba rulers were
ruling supreme over the territory from
their capital Gopakapattan on the
southern side of the island on the river
Zuari.
It was, in fact, a large coconut grove
interspersed with Ponds, backwaters,
creeks, canals, sand dunes and paddy
fields. The only construction existing in
Panaji was the 15
th
century castle built by
Adil Shah on the left margin of the
Mandovi River. Another Landmark of
the Mohammadan era in old Panaji was
the Segnil-Tower on the slope of the
hillock behind Fazenda building
(Directorate of Accounts)
14
.

b. Growth- Portuguese Conquered Goa
in 1510. Due to its strategic position, at
the mouth of the river Mandovi, the
Portuguese selected it as an important
military post, to control the entrance of
the river and Protect the city of Goa-
(Old Goa) the capital, from invasions.
Also because of its convenient location,
it was often selected as a place for
embarking troops for setting out
expedition to various parts of the east.
References: -
12. Fontainhas- Living with the past. - Pg.1. Article by- Percival Noronha.
13. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.103.
14. The growth and conservation of Panjim city Pg. 1,2. Article by- Percival Noronha.
Plan 4 2 Plan of Panaji Before 1510
BEFORE
1510.
ADIL SHAHS CASTLE 1500 AND HAREM.
Plan 4.2-Plan of Panaji Before 1510.
EVENTS
LARGE MARSHY LAND.
FISHERMENS TEMPORARY HUTS
YUSUF ADIL SHAH BUILDS CASTLE AND HAREM ON
THE RIVER BANK-1500
NORTH
Font ai nhas as a Part of Panaj i Ci t y.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 23
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

During the early years of Portuguese
rule, Panaji formed a temporary
residence for the viceroy and governor,
on the arrival from or departure to Goa. It
was also a country resort for nobility, as
in evident from the 17
th
century
manuscript of historian, Rezende, dated
1635, Panaji had fifty houses, some of
them storied and quite big and beautiful,
belonging to the Portuguese of Goa and
other who settled down here, part of
them lying along the river bank, with
garden and palm groves
15
.
The selection of Panaji, as the new
capital, was mainly due to the decadence
and eventual ruin of the city of Goa. The
immediate cause, however, for the shift,
was a consequence of a terrible epidemic
raging Old Goa. Due to this, the viceroy
residence was shifted to Panaji in 1759,
and the foundation of the town was laid.
With this date it took a gradual rise

c. Developments-.
Early Development.
15
th
century-
The only construction existing in
Panaji was the 15
th
century castle
built by Adil Shah on the left margin
of the Mandovi River.
16
See fig-
4.1.and Plan-4.2. Another Landmark
of the Mohammedan era in old
Panaji, was the Segnil-Tower on the
slope of the hillock behind Fazenda
building(Directorate of Accounts).
During this time Fontainhas was a
reclaimed palm grove, bordered by a
creek on one edge and the hill on the
other a free sailors, fisherman and
tailors lived here in huts
17
.
16
th
century-
Portuguese Conquered Goa in 1510.
Due to its strategic position, at the
mouth of the river Mandovi, the
Portuguese selected it as an important
military post, to control the entrance
of the river and Protect the city of
Goa- (Old Goa) the capital, from
invasions. Also because of its
convenient location, it was often
selected as a place for embarking
troops for setting out expedition to
various parts of the east.
During the first year of
Fig -4.1 Adil Shah castle. 1950s
Source- Souza and Paul.
References: -
15. Goa Notas Historicas Volume-1Panjim, atraves dos seculos. Pg-14 Antonio Meneses.
16. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.103.
17. Fontainhas- Living with the past. - Pg.1. Article by- Percival Noronha.

Plan 4 3 Pl f P ji B t 1510 1631
1510-1631
PILOTS HILL
Plan 4.3 -Plan of Panaji Between 1510-1631
EVENTS
1510 OLD GOA CAPTURED BY PORTUGUES
CASTLE USED AS CHEEK POINT FOR INCOMING
SHIPS TO OLD GOA -PILOTS HILL BEHIND CASTLE.
BUILT THE PANAJI CHURCH IN 1541(REBUILT-1584)
BUILT FORT OF GASPAR DIAS
NORTH
Font ai nhas as a Part of Panaj i Ci t y.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 24
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Christianisation, the Portuguese set of
the main churches in the area covered
by the old Taligao village in Panaji, a
hermitage came up prior to 1541,
under the invocation of Our Lady of
Immaculate Conception which was
built on the slope of the hillock.
18
It
was elevated to a church in the year
1600 and was renovated in
1619.(Refer fig-4.2 and plan-4.3)
17
th
century-
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
was elevated to a church in the year
1600 and was renovated in
1619.(Refer fig-4.2)
Later, during the time of viceroy,
count of Linhares, Dom Minguel de
Noronha, in the early 1632 in order to
connect it directly to Old Goa, a
bridge was built across creek-
Linhares Bridge
19
- which still
function today. Refer fig 4.3.
During the early years of Portuguese
rule, Panaji formed a temporary
residence for the viceroy and
governor, on the arrival from or
departure to Goa. It was also a
country resort for nobility, as in
evident from the 17
th
century
manuscript of historian, Rezende,
dated 1635.
20

Till the 17
th
century Fontainhas
continued to be inhabited chiefly by
fisherman and common artisans.
18
th
century-
The selection of Panaji, as the new
capital, was mainly due to the
decadence and eventual ruin of the
city of Goa. The immediate cause,
however, for the shift, was a
consequence of a terrible epidemic
raging Old Goa. Due to this, the
viceroy residence was shifted to
Panaji in 1759,
21
and the foundation
Fig - 4.2 Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Church. 1950s Source. Souza andPaul.
Fig- 4.3 Linhares Bridge. 1950s
Source. Souza and Paul
References: -
18-19. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.103.
20. Goa Notas Historicas Volume-1Panjim, atraves dos seculos. Pg-20 Antonio Meneses
21. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.103.
Plan 4.5-Plan of Panaji Between 1781-1843
1781-1843
Plan 4.5 Plan of Panaji Between 1781 1843.
EVENTS
1784 SETTLEMENTDEVELOPSINTHECOCONUT 1784-SETTLEMENT DEVELOPS IN THE COCONUT
GROVE AT FOOT OF THE HILL-ORGANIC PROFILE.
CONSTRUCTION OF CUSTOMS HOUSE, LARGE
POLICE STATION, COLLECTORATE COMPLEX.
1831-ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR EXPANSION OF
TOWN.
1843- PANAJI DELARED CAPITAL.
NORTH
Font ai nhas as a Part of Panaj i Ci t y.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 25
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

of the town was laid. With this date it
took a gradual rise. (refer plan-4.4)
Initially in 18th century, the whole
area of Fontainhas was an alluvial
soil with few paddy fields which later
got developed as a extensive coconut
groves named Palmar Ponte by
Antonio J ao de Sequeira, nicknamed
mossmikar .
22

In 1784 after the death, the large area
developed by sequeira, was leased by
government to the convent of Our
Lady of Carmo, Chimbel. At this
time, the area was dotted with several
huts inhabited by fisherman, sailors
and persons engaged in the coconut
oil extraction trade.
23
(Refer plan-4.5)

Major Development-
19
th
century-
In 1811, many administrative office-
the Custom house, High court,
Accountant generals office etc and
many educational Institutions were
also shifted to Panaji, and its
population began to steadily
rise.
24
(refer plan 4.5)
The new development occurred to
the north of the existing residential
settlement- Fontainhas-across the hill
bordered by Mandovi River. Due to
the absence of by-laws and a stable
administration at this time, the
growth was very arbitrary: resulting
in irregular, chaotic maze of streets
and alleys, in Fontainhas.
For the spiritual needs of the people
of Fontainhas, a small chapel with
only one altar, under invocation of St.
Sebastian, was built in 1818.
25

The viceroy, Dom Manuel de
Portugal e Castro (1826-35) is
perhaps, the one who gave his best
attention to the development of
Panaji. He also did several other
improvements in the city. The main
Panaji was planned on a grid iron
pattern, comprising of narrow streets
and central garden squares, and was
mainly administrative, Institutional
and commercial in character, the
urban structure was highly pedestrian
oriented 70m x 70m grid and the
scale, very human. Bringing
neighbors shoulder to shoulder was
the concept of urbanism, in contrast
to the previous mansion in vast
garden settings, of the provinces. To
the west was the physical
demarcation, diagonally by the hill
References: -
22. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.103.
23. Fontainhas- Living with the past. - Pg.1. Article by- Percival Noronha.
24. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.104.
25. Fontainhas- Living with the past. - Pg.1. Article by- Percival Noronha.


Plan 4.4-Plan of Panaji Between 1632-1780
1632-1780
Plan 4.4 Plan of Panaji Between 1632 1780.
EVENTS
1632-RIBANDAR CAUSWAY BUILT LINKING PANAJI TO
OLD GOA.
MANDRIAL ESTATE HOUSES BUILT BY NOBLES-
LAND.
PRIVATEY OWNED AS COCONUT GROVES.
1759-VICE-ROYSHIFTEDHISRESIDENCETOCASTLE 1759-VICE-ROY SHIFTED HIS RESIDENCE TO CASTLE
OF ADIL SHAH AFTER MODIFYING -AS OLD GOA IS
UNHYGIENIC.
NORTH
Plan 4.6-Plan of Panaji Between 1844-1961
1844-1961
Plan 4.6 Plan of Panaji Between 1844 1961
EVENTS
MORE BUILDINGS CAME UP-FAZENDA, MUNCIPALITY,
PAVILLIONS.
DEVELOPMENTACTIVITIESASOPENINGOFROADS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AS OPENING OF ROADS,
SQUARES, ETC-PLANNED PROFILE.
DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES-ROADS ETC.
NEWSETTLEMENT-ALTINHO, CAMPAL-1930
EXPANSION.
SERVICES INTRODUCED AS WATER ELECTRICITY.
1961-PORTUGUESE HAD GOA TO INDIA WITH PANAJI
CAPITAL OF POSSESSIONS DAMAN & DIU ALSO.
NORTH
Font ai nhas as a Part of Panaj i Ci t y.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 26
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

and developed quite independently of
each other.
The Fontainhas ward owes much to
the efforts of the Governor J ose
J oaquim Lopes De Lima (1840-1842)
who opened a straight road through
Fontainhas, which was, know as
Quatro de Abril.
26

In 22
nd
march 1843, Panaji was
formally declared, by royal decree, to
be the capital of Portuguese India,
and renamed it as Nova Goa a new
city. It was conceived to encompass a
larger area, including Ribandar and
Old Goa, but in view of the declining
fortunes and power, by this time, this
was not feasible, and Nova Goa,
came to mean only Panaji.
27

The Governor, Viscount of Ourem
J oaquim J ose J anuario Lapa (1851-
55) did commendable work by
draining the Fontainhas creek and
building marginal roads on both
sides.
28
The Ourem road on
Fontainhas side is named after him.
This changed the original relationship
of the built fabric with the waterfront.
Refer fig 4.4.
During his time the fountain
Phoenixat Fontainhas, which the
area derives its name. It was the
prominent orientation point of the
urban space and a popular interaction
space.
The greatest sweeping change came
at the time of the Governor, Caetano
de Albuquerque (1878-82) who with
his foresight linked Fontainhas with
the central zone of Panaji by cutting
the Conceicao hill in length of 302
meters. There was only one road
Quatro de Abril, later on a new
road was made by acquiring land and
some buildings including Old chapel,
now called 31
st
J anuary road.
29

In 1881 a road was opened going
through many houses (demolished)
coming in the way in front of old
Chapel, this road was named St.
Sebastian road. This road linked the
Rua Quatro de Abril and Rau Natal
with the Rua de Ourem.
30
(Refer
plan-4.6) This led to the creation of
the Largo Sao Sebastiao-the main
Fig-4.4 View of Rua de Ourem. 1950s
Source- Souza and Paul
References: -
26-27-28. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.104.
29. Fish, Curry and Rice- Pg.105.
30. Goa Notas Historicas Volume-1Panjim, atraves dos seculos. Pg-27 Antonio Meneses



Font ai nhas as a Part of Panaj i Ci t y.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 27
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

open space of the populous ward,
situated in its very heart. The present
chapel was completed in 1887.
31
See
fig .4.5.
During this period, in (1882-1885),
were added two more important
features of the urban scape-the Natal
well and the flight of steps leading to
it, creating an important public
space.
32
Consequently, more
stairways were built, giving access
too different parts of the linear
settlement. This was in answer to the
increasing water needs of the habitant
and also to facilitate communication
within the settlement, which by the
time was rapidly rising to an
important neighborhood.

Later Development.
20
th
century-
In 1931, electrification and tarring of
the ward, a good network of drainage
was laid.
33

In 1956, regular water supply was
provided.
34

After 1961-
After liberation in 1961, Panaji
remained the capital of the union
territory of Goa, Daman and Diu all
former Portuguese colonies.
In 1977, sewage system was
introduced.
35

In 1984, the Government of Goa,
recognizing the Special character of
the Fontainhas and some areas in
Goa, constituted a committee to make
recommendations regarding the
preservation of buildings and other
sites, localities and places of historic
importance.
36

In 1987, Panaji retained the capital of
State of Goa.



Fig -4.5 Present St. Sebastian Chapel
Source- unknown
References: -
31. Goa Notas Historicas Volume-1Panjim, atraves dos seculos. Pg-27 Antonio Meneses.
32. Fontainhas- Living with the past. - Pg.4. Article by- Percival Noronha.
33-34-35-36. Fontainhas- Living with the past. - Pg.5. Article by- Percival Noronha.



Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 28
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Section d- Area of Fontainhas.
5. Way of Life and Built Form.
5.1 Built Form.
The area of Fontainhas forms the old
residential quarter of the city. Most of the
houses here date back to the period 1840-
1950.
On the urban level the settlement has
come up at the foot of the hill on the west
and marshy lands and a creek on the east,
giving it a linear profile. (Refer plan 5.1)
Stretching north south along a main spine
with back-lanes. Along the spine the
houses are lined and open directly on the
street. (Refer plan 5.2)
The resulting style of these houses is a
product of interaction and assimilation
and adaptation of Portuguese influences
on local house types. Most of the house
forms in Fontainhas are rectangular in
plan. (Refer plan 5.2)

5.2 Communities
The major communities in Goa either
belong to Hindu or Catholic faiths. If one
studies any place in Goa, the observation
will be that these settlements have
distinct communities and they have
definite boundaries. In these settlement a
temple or a church/chapel acts as the
center or core around which the
settlement might have evolved.
Originally the houses of Fontainhas were
built largely by those attached to the
Fontainhas.
Plan 5.1 City of Panaji showing Fontainhas.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 29
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

administration service of the erstwhile
Portuguese government and thus they
were educated and highly placed people.
The inhabitants of this place are largely
belonging to Christians and Hindu faiths
and their castes. In 1774, among the
various reform measures from the
Pombaline administration of the
Portuguese State of India, one granted all
natives rights equal to those of people
living in Portugal. After this event
conversion of Hindus to catholic came to
a stand still.
During the time of research the
researcher observed a common belief of
the people of rest of Goa, that
Fontainhas was a catholic dominated
settlement. But during the time of
research this was proved wrong, after the
color-coding it was realized that both the
Hindu and the Catholic community are
almost equal in proportion. Refer plan-
5.2 the other observation was these
communities had a distinct boundary. It
was also observed that there are few
houses, which belongs to Muslim people.
These Muslim houses placed far way
from the main settlement.
Finding-The main communities in
Fontainhas are 1) Hindu community 2)
catholic community.

5.2.1 Location of the Communities
a. Hindu Settlement.
The Hindus that came here during
urbanization were basically government
employees mostly working in some
institution. These people were usually
Brahmin, shet, etc basically placed in
higher order of caste system. These
people settled on the southern side of
Fontainhas near the fountain, Fonte
Phoenix from where the area derives it
name. Usually the local people refer the
Hindu area as Mala. (The original name
of Fontainhas).
In Hindu Puja and rituals was an
important part of the culture. Each Hindu
was devoted to a particular deity, which
their ancestor worshiped. During
conversion these deity were shifted from
their original places to places like Ponda,
Pernem etc. where there was no
Portuguese influence during that period.
They exist there till date. The Hindus
visited their temple (goddess/deity) once
a month or only during festival time or
on an occasion. The temple that exist
today in Fontainhas area came up only
during the end of 1800s, by these time
the settlement was already present. In a
urban settlement like Fontainhas, the
temple never acted as a point of
orientation in.
b. Catholic Community.
The major Settlement-
The original settlers in Fontainhas were
mostly Hindus belonging to lower caste.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 30
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

In 1811, Due to the shift of Government
offices and institution to Panaji,
Catholics people who were employed in
these institutions shifted to Fontainhas.
The Catholics settled vary close to the
church of Our Lady of Immaculate
Conception built in 1541 renovated in
1619, which was about 200m away at a
walking distance. Refer fig 5.1 A church
is an important symbol in any catholic
settlement because Catholics usually
prayed in communities and they visited
the church once in a week.
In 1818, a Chapel dedicated to St.
Sebastian was erected for the spiritual
need of the people. This chapel existed
just 50m away in front of the present
chapel (built in 1887), around this the
later settlement grew. Color-coding the
settlement of Fontainhas, reveled that the
Catholic settlement exits within 200m
radius (walking distance) of the chapel.
Apart from the chapel, within the 200m
radius of the chapel there exist 5 crosses
(for a example refer fig-5.2) spaced at a
distance of 100m to 50m meters apart
from each other. Refer plan- 5.2.
Minor Settlements-
These settlements were basically people
of lower caste or of a lower economic
status (Caste is directly related to
occupation and occupation was directly
related to economic status). Therefore
this people were placed away from the
main settlements. During the time of
research there was an interesting
observation, wherever these settlements
existed within their 50m radius there
existed a cross. It might be this cross
might have been built later by those
people. Theyre also another observation
that this settlements and the crosses were
located between 50-100m apart. That
mean these settlements were at walk-able
distance, so in other words there is a kind
Fig 5.1 Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
church. Source-Gopal Bhodhe

Fig 5.2 A cross next to the chapel.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 31
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

communication (interaction) between
these settlements.

5.3 Landmarks and the Communities.
Rationale- Landmarks are always a point
of orientation or evolution in an urban
settlement. Since it is one form (element)
which gave a sense of orientation to the
settlement and the user. It always acts as
a core in term of activities, and the
prominent people in the area stayed
around the major landmarks. It might
also be that the landmark was built
around a place where the prominent
people of the settlement lived. So
landmark from the either side of the
settlement was selected because the
people around will have similar level of
status in their respective area.
In the Hindu settlement Fountain of
Phoenix was the major landmark, around
which the settlement evolved. While in
case of the catholic settlement the St.
Sebastian chapel was built at the center
of the settlement, which further shaped
the settlement.
1. The Fonte Phoenix-. As Fontainhas
was developing as a settlement in the
19
th
century, an artistic reservoir in
basalt stone was built at this spring
around 1851-55. This natural spring
located at the foot of the hill provided
clear crystalline water for the settlers,
around which the initial settlement
grew. Refer fig. 5.3. The importance
of this feature can be gauged from the
fact that this ward derives its name
Fontainhas, from this feature and
marks one of its extremities today.
Besides providing a constant supply
of potable water for sustaining the
growth of the settlement, this also
emerged as a space for social
interaction for the inhabitants of the
Hindu settlement thus is a prominent
landmark in the area.
2. St Sebastian Chapel- In 1818, a
Chapel dedicated to St. Sebastian was
erected for the spiritual need of the
people, and later the settlement grew
around this chapel. In 1881 a road
was opened going through many
houses (demolished) coming in the
way in front of old chapel, this road
was named St. Sebastian road. This
road linked the Rua Quatro de Abril
Fig-5.3 The Fonte Phoenix.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 32
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

and Rau Natal with the Rua de
Ourem. This led to the creation of the
Largo Sao Sebastiao-the main open
space of the populous ward, situated
in its very heart. Refer fig 5.4 the
present chapel was completed in
1887. Within 200m radius (walking
distance) of the chapel the catholic
settlement exists.
5.4 Hindu Community.
Selection of samples- the Hindu houses
around the Fountain the landmark in the
area were selected randomly for the
purpose of the study.
5.4.1 Social Strata - the study area
consists of major Hindu settlement with
small patches of catholic settlement.
Refer plan 5.2. The majority of the
inhabitants are Hindus belonging to the
higher order of caste system. The Fonte
Phoenix (Fountain) Was built in 1855-55
while the houses which were selected for
the study around the fountain came up
later in between 1875-1890.
The houses around the Fountain were
people belonged to the people of high
order in the caste system. These people
were either government servant or mostly
goldsmith in occupation. Along with this
prominent people there also existed
people of lower order in the caste system,
these people in small house settled in the
back-lanes. Looking at the settlement,
one came make out this difference, in
term of the area (scale) of the houses.

5.4.2 Built Open Relationship- most of
the houses in the area were aligned along
the road (the man made feature). While
the houses which occupied the back-
lanes of the settlement were oriented
according to the option provided by the
topography of the area. Within these
option the settlement in the back-lanes
evolved.
The houses studied in this area are
mostly right on the edge of the road, with
a small buffer that the raised platform
which is hardly 50 cm in length. Refer
fig 5.5.
Fig-5.4 St. Sebastian Chapel.
Fig. 5.5. The small raised platform along the
road acting as buffer.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 36
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

placed on the first floor in a separate
room, they have only one dinning space
in their house. Refer plan5.7.
some houses even had 2 kitchens, like of
Mr. Pai Raikar and Mr. Raikar house.
The kitchen placed behind the Puja area
was basically to prepare vegetarian items
(sacred kitchen) while the other kitchen
was used to prepare non-vegetarian
items. Refer plan 5.8.
In most of the Hindu house the services
were placed at the rear of the house. The
most common element that is present in
most of the houses is a well at the rear
end (in the backyard). Basic necessity
like water was available within the
private space of the house, so there was
no need for the women to go out to fetch
water. The well was placed mainly close
to the Kitchen and the bath. Refer plan
5.9. In Mr. Pai Raikar house the well is
placed in a very interesting manner,
where it can be accessed from the
Kitchen as well as bath area.
LIVING
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
DINNING
COURT
TULSI
KITCHEN
0
1M
3M 6M
Plan 5.7. Ground floor of Mr. Wagles
house.
KITCHEN
BATH
KITCHEN
DINNING
BEDROOM
LIVING
WELL
BEDROOM
BATH
TOI
DINNING
PUJA SPACE
KITCHEN
COURT
STORE
HALL
0
1M
3M 6M
Plan 5.8. Ground floor plan of Mr.
Raikars.
WELL KITCHEN
PUJA SPACE
TIOLET BATH
STORE
DINNING
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
STORE
LIVING/HALL.
COURT
0
1M 3M
DINNING
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
Plan 5.9. Ground floor plan of Mr. Pai Raikars
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 37
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Women Space- the private spaces like
sacred space, dining space, kitchen and
the service area like well, bath and
toilets, all these areas were placed at the
rear of the house for one main social
factor, which was the extreme need for
privacy for women. Women had a sacred
religious symbol in Hindu culture; this
element was the Tulsi or Tulas. Mostly
the Tulsi was placed in the court, which
was a part of the private area of the
house. Like in case of Raikars and
Verlekars house. (Refer plan 5.8) While
in some cases like the Mr. Madkaikars
house in absence of court, the Tulsi was
placed in the backyard. Refer plan 5.10.

Women activity core- the core of women
activity was the kitchen where they use
to spend their whole day in cooking. This
space was an inward looking space.
Where all the openings were placed on
the inward side. If there was an opening
on the exterior side there was a high
compound wall was built e.g. Mr.
Wagles house. Refer plan 5.11
The women had a separate stairway from
the dinning area leading to the first floor,
in case if there was any occasion in the
house, which was held in the hall mostly,
placed on the first floor. Refer plan 5.11.
Privacy was not only by the blank walls,
opening on the inward side, and other
physical devices, but also by custom.
Guest or outsiders were invited inside the
house; the spatial organization of the
BATH
WELL
KITCHEN
BATH
LIVING
TOILET
TOILET
TOILET
TOILET
0
1M
3M 6M
Scale
BEDROOM
DINNING
DINNING
BEDROOM BEDROOM
STORE
PUJA SPACE
Plan-5.10. Ground floor plan of Mr. Madkaikars
house-Tulsi placed in the backyard.
LIVING
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
DINNING
COURT
TULSI
KITCHEN
0
1M
3M 6M
Plan 5.11 Ground floor plan of Mr. Wagles
-The high compound wall.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 39
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

area. Even in case of the individual
houses the main doors and subsequent
doorway inside the house was always
staggered to prevent transparency. This
applied even to the window layout in
houses. Since the houses were right on
the edge of the road and the windows
openings of the respective house were
staggered and even if a window was
aligned with a doorway inside the house,
the door way would be a dark spaces
which prevented the transparency. Most
of the Hindu houses usually dark
interiors. (Very less light)
Most of the cases except Mr.
Madkaikars, even these houses were
bang on the edge of the road, There was
a small strip of raised platform about
50cm in length, which gave a minimum
kind of buffer for the houses.
The sill level in these houses was another
important feature. The sill height was one
of the important elements to
communicate with the street. The sill
levels were usually very low in height
from the floor level of the house ranging
from 73-85cm, which was quite low.
These allow the commination of the
inhabitant of the street to communicate
with the street while on the other side the
plinth played an important role the
windows which were very low from
inside, the sill level from the road was
almost 1.1m high. Only in case of Mr.
Verlekars house, it is only one of a kind
that has French windows on the ground
floor. But the plinth level of this house is
high enough to achieve the level of
privacy needed from the street. (Plinth
almost 80cm high) Refer fig 5.6
The windows, which were not facing on
the main road, were designed in the form
of a bay window. Since the thickness of
the wall was almost 90cm, a platform
was placed at the sill level, which helped
the people to use this space in their
leisure time to experience the
surroundings.
Most of the houses has a first floor level,
it may be partial or throughout. The
houses had the hall on the first floor, the
windows in the hall were French window
decorated quite intricately depending on
the status of the inhabitant. The French
window also helped in lighting and
ventilating the room in better way than
the other rooms, and most of the time
these windows were placed parallel to
each other to help cross ventilation in the
Fig 5.6 Mr. Verlekars house- high plinth used
in case of French windows.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 40
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

room.(like in case of Mr. Madkaikar and
Mr. Raikar house refer table 5.2.)

b. Faade the faade feature are that
which give the place the character. The
elevation aspect of the area is very low-
rise, seldom beyond two storeys. The
houses are a result of a basic faade with
a sloping tiled roof on top, with a wall
punctured with regular sized openings.
Faade in these old houses was an
important mean of communication to the
stranger on the street. If even today if one
happens to walk through this area,
looking at the faade one can have an
idea about the people living in the
houses. That was exactly what the
inhabitant intended. Facades of these
houses were detailed and plastered
according to the status of the people.
(One factor that effected these detailing
was the type of material available at that
time).
Each house had different design for the
pilasters, the corbelling etc. the window
usually had a plaster band around which
even differed in most of the houses. The
windows pattern very different in each
house, from flat lintel to the curved ones.
Even shutter design of 2 different houses
wont match. In case of French window
the lower railing was different in each
case.
Faade was an element that had variety.
Even the houses that had common wall
and common roof had their windows and
doors profile in a different way. Refer fig
5.7 this area is a perfect example to
realize that that each family was different
and so was the faade, giving uniqueness
to each house and a sense of diversity to
the whole area. But it was the scale and
the common features with variations that
tied up the whole settlement.

5.5 Catholic Community.
Selection of samples- the Catholic houses
around the St Sebastian Chapel was
selected randomly for the purpose of the
study.
5.5.1 Social Strata- the study area
consists of major catholic settlement with
a few Hindu Houses (belonging to
prominent people). As the Catholic
settlement was growing in size, for the
spiritual need of the people a chapel
dedicated to St. Sebastian was
constructed in 1818, which stood 50m in
Refer fig 5.7 Mr. Wagles house- the house
has a common wall and roof but still the
windows and the doors differ in design.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 42
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Sebastian chapel) known as the St
Sebastian square is the main open space
in the area and the natal well square
acted as the second open space(Refer fig
5.9). After shading the built form of the
area on a plan. It gives a clear picture
that the main breathing space in the area
was the St Sabestian square. Refer plan
5.13. Since the backyards were absent in
catholic houses the road acted as the
open space.
Most of the cases the houses had
common walls. If there was a gap in
between houses, it was basically done for
the purpose giving access to the houses
in the back lanes. This was the only
reason there were gaps at certain
intervals. The road was the main element
in this area, which shaped the built form
of the settlement.

5.5.3 Typologies- the basic house
typologies that exist in the area are
Linear house with a entrance
porch/balcao, Linear house, Rectangular
house with a verandah in front,
Rectangular house with the verandah at
the side, Square house, L-shaped etc.
The house samples that were selected for
the study basically belonged to 4
different category- 1) Squares house 2)
Rectangular house with a verandah in
front, 3) Linear house with a balcao, 4)
rectangular house with a verandah at the
side. The ground area of this house
ranges from 144-216 Sq. m.

5.5.4 Scale- scale is one of the most
important aspects in order to determine
the effect of socio-cultural factor on built
Fig. 5.8 a Houses having almost 2m
shoulder in front of St. Sebastian Chapel.
Fig. 5.8 b. The small raised platform along
the road acting as buffer.

Fig. 5.9. The Natal well.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 43
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Fig-5.10. Altar space in Mr. Ribeiros house.
form. The total area of a house (scale of
the houses) will be directly related to
what position a person hold in the
community. In case of the study area if
one list out the scale of the house in term
of area, the conclusion will be that there
is a relation between the scale of the
house and the social status. Refer table
5.3
Table-5.3
Owner Occupation. Area.
Mr. P.
Noronha.
Govt.
treasurer.
353 Sq. m.
Mr.
Ribeiro.
Doctor. 282 Sq. m.
Mr.
Noronha.
Police
Officer.
275 Sq. m.
Mr.
Sequeira.
Business
person.
244 Sq. m.

5.5.5 Arrangement of Spaces.

5.5.5.1 Sacred Core the scared core in
catholic houses was the altar or the
prayer space. Catholics visited church
every week since they believed in
community praying. The placement of
altar space in the Catholic house was
never fixed. It was placed either in the
living, dinning, or even in the bedroom in
some cases. This was a space where the
whole family got together and prayed.
Since the altar space dint have a specific
placement. Some time it was even placed
in the living space because of this a level
of secrecy was achieved by placing it
high from the plinth level (more than
1.5m above from the plinth level). See
fig 5.10.
5.5.5.2 Private Spaces- in the catholic
houses, private space like dinning
depending on the area and position
determined whether the space was
private or semi-private space. In case of
house of Mr. Sequeiras (refer plan-5.14)
and Mr. Noronhas (Now Fernandes)
(refer plan-5.15) house the dinning were
more of a private space. In Mr.
Noronhas house the dinning was placed
close to the living, where the doorway
was staggered and the dinning area space
was much at a smaller scale than the
living. (The living were 16% of the entire
house area while the dining were just 8-
10 %) while in case of Mr. Sequeiras
house the dining is placed at the rear of
the house. (Refer plan-5.14.)
The bedrooms were mostly located after
the living and the hall space. The no. of
bedroom depended on the need of the
inhabitant.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 44
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

The kitchen, bathroom, and toilet were
placed at the rear portion of the house for
the purpose of privacy. To the rear of
these houses the there was a service door
which could be access from a passage
leading from the main road. (Refer plan-
5.15)

Position of Women- kitchen and the
service area, bath and toilets, all these
areas were placed at the rear of the house
for one main social factor, which was the
need for privacy for women.
Women activity core- the core of women
activity was the kitchen. Kitchen space in
case of catholic houses was mostly
outward looking; the only exaction to
this is Mr. Sequeiras house in which the
kitchen is inward looking opening into a
court. (Refer plan-5.14).
Since the interior spaces were mostly
outward looking, the catholic houses
usually had curtain and lot of other
upholstery used on the door and the
windows, which gave a level of privacy
needed. Refer fig 5.11.
COURT
KICHTEN/ DINING
BEDROOM
BALCAO
LIVING
0
1M
6M
PASSAGE
3M
Fig. 5.14. ground floor plan of Mr. Sequeiras.
Showing the placement of dinning/kitchen.
0
1M
3M 6M
KITCHEN
DINNING
LIVING
TIOLET
BATH
BEDRROM
BEDROOM
VARENDHA
PASSAGE
STORE
Fig 3.15. ground floor plan of Mr. Noronhas.
Showing the placement of dinning area.
Fig 5.11 upholstery used for the windows a
typical feature in these houses.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 45
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

5.5.5.3 Semi Private Space- these places
were basically placed in front portion of
the house. Most of the catholic houses
had a living on the ground floor and a
hall on the first floor. Guest was usually
received in the living area. On only
particular occasion the hall was used to
entertain the guests. The access to the
hall was directly from the entrance lobby
(mostly from a passage space). The
exception to this was Mr. Sequiras
house where the access was right from
the living space. Refer fig 5.16. Hall was
one of the most important spaces in
catholic houses, since it was often
converted as a ballroom on occasion like
wedding and parties. The social events
within the house were held in this space.
There were some houses which were
owned by people who had a very high
economic and social status; in their
houses the dining area was as
proportional to the hall area. Since these
people use to have grand occasions very
often, they required a large dinning area
which was more of a semi-private space.
A very good example of this is Mr.
Rebeiros house, the hall was 17.3% of
the total area of the house while the
dinning was 16.3% which is almost
similar in proportion, and same was the
case in Mr. P. Noronhas house. (Refer
5.17 for Mr. P. Noronhass house).
In relation to private and semi-private
spaces, the private spaces ranged from
40-64% while the semi private spaces
COURT
KICHTEN/ DINING
BEDROOM
BALCAO
LIVING
0
1M
6M
PASSAGE
3M
Fig 5.16 Ground floor of Mr. Sequiras
house. - The access way to the hall in the
living area
0
1M
3M
6M
GUEST BEDROOM
STORE
KITCHEN
DINNING
ENTRANCE
LIVING
ROOM
TIOLET
Fig 5.17 Ground floor of Mr. Noronhas
house. - The dining area is as proportional to
the hall area.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 47
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Fig 5.13 view of Mr. Noronhass house- the
varendha is more of a private space.
which allow a kind of privacy to the
houses. Since catholic house had wide
openings and their interior spaces were
very well lighted by natural light because
of these to get the desired privacy level
the houses had upholstery for their
window, which blocked the vision
(transparency) of the any person passing
by from the street. More no. of opening
were placed on the side, which had a
garden with a compound wall ex. Mr.
Rebeiros house see fig 5.12 the houses
had maximum opening on the front
faade on if there was a verandah
(Without a gallery on top of it) and this
verandahs had a parapet wall going all
around it.
The houses, which were bang on the
roadside, have sill level higher than the
other ones. These allow the commination
of the inhabitant of the street to
communicate with the street while on the
other side the plinth played an important
role the windows which were very low
from inside; the sill level from the road
was to almost 1.1m high
The windows on the first floor were
mostly French windows where the people
from the house were able to
communicate with the street. These
French windows were decorated quite
intricately depending on the status of the
inhabitant. The French window also
helped in lighting and ventilating the
room.
Verandahs, galleries and balcoa- these
were the main element by which the
catholic community uses to interact with
the street and neighborhood. There
existed two kinds of verandah one which
was public oriented like the one of Mr.
Rebeiros (refer fig 5.12) where the
individual was able to access it while in
the other case Mr. Noronhas (refer fig
5.13) was one that had parapet wall
going all throughout, which was more of
a private space. This space was mostly
used as an interaction space at the
neighborhood level. There even exists a
house with a balcao, which was one of
Fig 5.12 view of Mr. Ribeiros house- on the
garden side more openings were placed.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Way of Li f e and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 48
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

the main interaction space elements in
most of the houses in Goa.
b. Faade faade in these old houses
was an important mean of
communication to the stranger on the
street. If even today if one happens to
walk through this area, looking at the
faade one can have an idea about the
people living in the houses. That was
exactly what the inhabitant intended to
do. The catholic house facade was more
much more detailed and plastered
according to the status of the people.
(One factor that affected these detailing
was the type of material available at that
time)
Each house had different design for the
pilasters; the corbelling etc. the window
usually had a plaster band around which
even differed in most of the houses. The
windows pattern very different in each
house, from flat lintel to the curved ones.
Even shutter design wont match in
different houses. In case of French
window the lower railing was different in
each case.
Faade was an element that had variety.
This area is a perfect example to realize
that each families staying in different
houses are different and the faade
projected the same.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 49
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

6. Socio-Cultural Aspects and
Built Form.
A comparative study of the two major
communities in Fontainhas, -the Hindu
and Catholic community.
6.1 Settlement Pattern-
During 1800, the first people to shift to
Fontainhas belonged to the catholic faith.
These people were mostly government
employee. They settled very close to the
existing church of Our Lady of
Immaculate Conception. (Northern side)
While the Hindus stayed together on the
southern side in a community, near the
Fountain which was the source of fresh
water. (Incase Hindus the basic needs
were more important). Till today there is
some Hindu houses that exists in the
catholic settlement. These houses
belonged to the people, who had high
social status and they settled here some
where in 1780-1830s. The other houses
were bought by Hindus from Catholics
after Goa liberation. Similarly on the
Hindu side (southern side of Fontainhas)
there are Catholic houses, these houses
exist in patches forming a small
community of their own. These people
were actually lower caste people who
shifted from the northern side of the
Fontainhas in 1800s .
Religious symbol was very important in
Catholic community the main settlement
had a chapel built right in the core area of
the settlement. Along with the chapel
there also existed small crosses placed at
a distance of 100-50m. Similar case was
on the Hindu side where the small
patches of Catholic settlement occurred
they had a cross within the 50m radius,
which bounded them together. (Refer
plan 6.1)

6.2 Social Strata
a. In both the cases, the Houses around
the major landmark belonged to the
people of high order in the caste
system (mostly prominent people). In
Hindu settlement the major landmark
was the fountain-Fonte Phoenix
(Basic need), while in catholic
settlement it was the St. Sebastian
Chapel.(Religious symbol)
b. Caste played an important role in
term of the settlement pattern. In both
the settlements (Hindu and Catholic)
along the roads, squares and the
prominent location were occupied by
people of higher order in caste
system while the back-lanes were
occupied by people placed in the
lower order in the caste system.
Looking at the settlement one came
make out the difference in term of the
area (scale) of the houses. Refer plan
6.1

6.3 Built Open Relationship-
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 50
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

a. In both the settlements (Hindu and
Catholic) most of the houses
belonging to people of high order in
the caste system were built or aligned
along the road. In case of the catholic
settlement during the 19
th
century
proper roads and accesses where
planned, because of this the
settlement was aligned along the
roads, the houses belonging to the
Catholics of lower caste occupied the
left over space behind the prominent
houses belonging to the people of
higher caste. While in case of Hindu
settlement the houses where aligned
along the linear spine which is now
called the 31
st
J anuary road, the
houses behind belonging to the lower
caste were placed according to the
option provided by topography of the
area. Refer plan 6.1.
b. In both the settlements most of the
houses in their particular strata had
common walls. (the people having
similar status had common wall)
There are even cases were 2 houses
have the common roof, in other term
these shows that the inhabitant of
these place had strong community
feeling. (Refer fig 6.1) If there was a
split or a gap between houses that
was because of the road (actually
passages) which gave access to the
houses in the back-lanes.
6.4 Typologies-
a. The basic house typologies that exists
in both the settlements are-, Linear
house, Rectangular house, squares
house and L-shaped house etc.
b. The only variation in Hindu and
Catholic houses were, the Hindu
houses had courts and courtyards
while the catholic houses had
verandah, galleries and porch/balcao.
In other terms the Hindu houses were
inward looking, opening into the
courtyard. Where the interaction
space was within the house. While
the Catholic houses were more
outward looking, opening into
verandahs and galleries. In catholic
houses the interaction space was
outer side.

6.5 Scale-
The total area of a house (scale of the
houses) will be directly related to what
position a person hold in the community.
In case of the study area if one list out
Fig 6.1 view of the street on the Hindu side of
the settlement- the people having similar
status had common wall.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 51
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

the scale of the house in term of area, it
concluded that there is a relation between
the scale of the house and the social
status. Refer table 6.1a, 6.1b.
Table no-6.1a -Hindu Houses.
Owner Occupation. Area.
Mr. Pai
Raikar.
Govt.
Officer.
509 Sq. m.
Mr.
Verelekar.
Goldsmith 385 Sq. m.
Mr.
Madkaikar.
Govt.
servent.
376 Sq. m.
Mr. Raikar. Goldsmith 346 Sq. m.
Mr.Wagle Govt.
serevnt.
330 Sq. m.

Table-6.1.b. -Catholic Houses.
Owner Occupation. Area.
Mr. P.
Noronha.
Govt.
treasurer.
353 Sq. m.
Mr.
Ribeiro.
Doctor. 282 Sq. m.
Mr.
Noronha.
Police
Officer.
275 Sq. m.
Mr.
Sequeira.
Business
person.
244 Sq. m.

6.6 Arrangement of Spaces.
6.6.1 Sacred Core
a. Religious ceremonials has almost
always preceded and accompanied a
house from foundation, erection and
occupation. The placed where God
was placed, was considered the
sacred space in a house. In Hindu
house, the Puja space was the sacred
core of the house and the access to
this only limited to the inhabitants.
The Puja area occupied the central
space in the house. In most cases the
Puja space is located in the dinning
room of the house. The reason for
this was In Hindu culture on most of
the occasions the meal is offered first
to the God and then the meal is
served to the rest.
b. In catholic houses the altar or the
prayer space was considered scared.
The way of life was very different,
the catholic believed in mostly
community worship because of this
they visited the church every week.
Unlike the Hindu houses, the altar in
catholic houses did not have a
specific place. It was mostly placed
either in the living, dinning, and even
in the bedroom in some cases. (Refer
table 6.2 a.b.) Since altar was even
place in the semi private area, a level
of secrecy was still achieved by
placing it high from the plinth level.

6.6.2 Private spaces-
a. In the catholic houses, dinning
depending on the area and position
determined the privacy of the space.
In other term it determined whether
the space categorized as private or
public space. While in the Hindu
houses since the Puja space was
placed in the Dinning area it always
acted as a private or sacred area. In
these Hindu houses there were
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 52
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

actually 2 dinning areas. One was the
sacred one, which housed the Puja
space. Other one which was used to
serve the non-vegetarian meals. The
Hindu in Goa were very particular
about their caste, a Brahmin class
would never have lunch or dinner in a
house belonging to a person of lower
caste then them. Dinning space in
Hindu houses was always a limited to
inhabitant and their relatives,
strangers were never allowed.
b. In both the communities, number of
bedroom depended on the need of the
inhabitant. And this was usually
placed after the living and the hall
spaces.
c. In both the cases kitchen, bathroom,
and toilet are placed at the rear
portion of the house because of the
need of privacy for women. In case
of Catholics, these people had
servants working for them so they
had a separate access door from the
rear of the house.
d. Even though the Hindu houses were
close to the Fountain area, still each
house around the Fountain area had
well in the backyard. (these feature
was present only in houses belonging
to the higher caste) This feature was
completely missing in all catholic
houses. The reasons for having well
in the backyard was when the
Portuguese built the reservoir and
they installed a cross at the
originating point of the spring. The
way in which conversion were
carried out for 150 years prevented
the people from using the water from
the Fountain, even though the
conversion were stopped by then, the
fear still remained. The Hindu way of
life way such that the women always
stayed within the private area of the
house, and before performing any
rituals one needed purify themselves
(have bath). Because of this the well
was within the private area, near the
kitchen or the bathroom area
Position of women
a. In the Hindu as well as Catholic
houses the cases kitchen and the
service area, bath and toilets
(services) were placed at the rear of
the house for one main social factor,
which was the need for privacy for
women. The core of women activity
was the kitchen. Kitchen space in
case of catholic houses was mostly
outward looking with opening
(windows) on the outward side. In
Hindu houses the kitchen space was
an inward looking space with
opening (windows) on the inward
side. (Refer table 6.2 a.b.)
b. In Hindu houses women also had a
sacred religious symbol, according to
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 53
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

the Hindu culture, this element was
the Tulsi which was located in the
courtyards or courts.
c. In Hindu houses Privacy was not
only by the blank walls, opening on
the inward side, or separate access
way for women (Refer plan 6.2 and
table 6.2 a.b.) and other physical
devices, but also by custom. Guest or
outsiders were invited inside the
house; the spatial organization of the
house was such that the women
portion of the house was strictly
prohibited.

6.6.3 Semi private space-
a. These spaces in both the cases were
basically placed in front portion of
the house. In both Hindu and catholic
houses the living was placed on the
ground floor and a hall on the first
floor. Guest was usually received in
the living area. On only particular
occasion the hall was used to
entertain the guests.
b. The access to the hall in case of
catholic houses was directly from the
entrance lobby (mostly a passage
space). While in case of Hindu house
the access was right from the living
space (Refer plan 6.2). Unlike the
Hindu houses the hall was one of the
most important spaces in catholic
houses, since it was often converted
as a ballroom on occasion like
wedding and parties
c. There were some Catholic houses,
which were owned by people who
had a very high economic and social
status; in their houses the dining area
was as proportional to the hall area.
Since these people use to have grand
occasions very often, they required a
large dinning area, which was more
of a semi-private space.
d. In Catholic house relation to private
and semi-private spaces, the private
spaces ranged from 40-64% while the
semi private spaces ranged from 42-
33%. The percentage of semi private
spaces was quite proportional to the
percentage of private spaces. In
BATH
WELL
KITCHEN
BATH
LIVING
TOILET
TOILET
TOILET
TOILET
0
1M
3M 6M
Scale
BEDROOM
DINNING
DINNING
BEDROOM BEDROOM
STORE
PUJA SPACE
Fig 6.2. Ground floor plan of Mr.
Madkaikar. Showing the separate access
ways.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 54
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Fig 6.3 view of Mr. Noronhass house- the
verandah is more of a private space.
Hindu house relation to private and
semi-private space, the range of %
was from 76%-80% of private spaces
compare to semi-private spaces.(refer
table 6.2 a.b.)

6.6.4. Communication with the street.
1.Openings-
a. Privacy from the street was an
important aspect in both Hindu as
well Catholic houses but they were
achieved in different way. In both the
Hindu and the catholic houses, the
opening layout was planned in such a
way that the house door on the
opposite sides of the street may not
face each other.
b. In Hindu houses the main doors and
the next doorway on the inner side of
the house was always staggered to
achieve privacy. Since in most of the
Hindu houses the front door was
always kept open. In catholic houses
entrance door and the subsequent
door in the interior layout mostly
faced each other. From the entrance
door one would see half way through
the house, but these was possible
only if the main entrance door was
open. In most of the catholic houses
the door are closed most of the time.
c. Incase of the Hindu houses the
interior were dark enough to achieve
the privacy level that was need from
the street. While in case of catholic
house the houses were quiet well lit
and interior of the houses were quiet
bright. For this reason the catholic
used upholstery for their window
which blocked the vision of the any
person passing by from the street.
d. In Catholics houses More number of
opening were placed on the side
which a garden with a compound
wall ex. Mr. Rebeiros house (refer
fig 6.2) the houses had maximum
opening on the front faade on if
there was a verandah (without a
gallery on top of it) and this
verandahs had a railing going all
around like in case of Mr. Noronhas
houses (refer fig 6.3) since privacy
Fig-6.2. view of Mr. Ribieros house
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 55
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

was an important factor in Hindu
houses the window opening only in
the hall and living were much bigger
than the other opening.
e. In Hindu as well as catholic houses
the windows on the first floor were
mostly French windows where the
people from the house were able to
communicate with the street. These
French windows were decorated
quite intricately depending on the
status of the inhabitant. The French
window also helped in lighting and
ventilating the room.
f. The catholic houses had Verandahs,
galleries and balcoa- these were the
main element by which the catholic
community uses to interact with the
street and neighborhood. The
Verandahs, galleries and balcoa-
these were the main element by
which the catholic community uses to
interact with the street and
neighborhood. These element were
mostly absent in the Hindu
settlement.
2. Faade
a. Faade in both Hindu and Catholic
houses was an important mean of
communication to the stranger on the
street. If even today if one happens to
walk through this area, looking at the
faade one can have an idea about the
people living in the houses.
b. The Hindu and the catholic house
facade was much more detailed and
plastered according to the status of
the people. (One factor that effected
these detailing was the type of
material available at that time)Each
house had different design for the
pilasters, the corbelling etc. the
window usually had a plaster band
around which even differed in most
of the houses. The windows pattern
very different in each house, from flat
lintel to the curved ones. Even shutter
design was different in each house. In
case of French window the lower
railing was different in each case.
Faade was an element that had
variety. (refer fig 6.4) Only Christian
houses were more detailed than the
catholic houses.
Fig 6.4 a view of the Hindu
settlement area showing the variety
in facades. Source- Ayesha Souza
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 56
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

6.7 Cross cultural influence.
To cross check the influence of socio-
culture factor on built form. In the
interface area houses were identified
(These houses were bought by Hindus,
which originally belonged to catholic
community). These houses were tested
with the same criteria as above. (For
location of these house refer plan 6.3.)
The 2 houses, which were studied, are
presently belonging to Mr. Gude and Mr.
Chopdekar. Mr. Gude bought his house
in 1936 from a catholic government
servant. While Mr. Chopdekar bought his
house in 1957 from a catholic Doctor.
(in case of Gudes house the earlier was
assumed on the basic of the clues
available on site.)

6.7.1Arrangement of spaces.
Sacred core- like in case of Hindu
houses in Mr. Chopdekars house the
Puja room is placed at the rear end of the
house in a sacred room similar to that of
the Hindu houses in the Hindu
settlement. Since there were no niches on
the wall the Puja space is setup on
ground. (Refer fig 6.5). In Mr. Gudes
house the Puja room is placed on the first
Fig 6.5 Puja space setup on the ground in Mr.
Chopdekars house.
HALL
LIVING
BEDROOM
FAMILY SPACE.
KITCHEN
LIVING
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
TOI.
BEDROOM
FAMILY SPACE.
KITCHEN/DINNING
PUJA SPACE
0
1M
3M 6M
FIRST FLOOR PLAN.
TULSI
KITCHEN
Plan 6.4. Mr. Gudes house. Now.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 57
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

floor in the bedroom space since the
dinning and kitchen were common.
(Refer plan 6.4) Puja space was
considered very secret in Hindu houses it
was place in sacred dinning room where
only vegetarian food was consumed and
there was a separate dinning space for
non vegetarian. Since Gudes house had
dinning and kitchen common it was not
possible to place it in the dinning like
other Hindu houses. Since the space was
most sacred it was placed Above the
other, so that nobody steps on top of the
Puja area
6.6.2 Private spaces- placing services at
the rear of the house were common in
both Hindu as well as catholic houses.
Well was another important element in
Hindu houses so these feature was added
in Mr. Gudes house, in case Mr.
Chopdekars house was bought in 1957
and In 1956, regular water supply was
provided, well was not required.
Position of women- sacred space, dining
area, kitchen and the service area like
well, bath and toilets. All these areas
were placed at the rear of the house for
one main social factor, which was the
extreme need for privacy for women. The
Tulsi element was also introduced in
these houses since it was an important
element in Hindu house. In Mr. Gude
house Tulsi was placed in the court refer
plan 6.4- but in case of Mr. Chopdekar
house the Tulsi was placed in the space at
the back. Refer plan 6.5 b.
All Hindu elements were adopted in
these houses.
Women activity core- the core of women
activity was the kitchen where they use
to spend their whole day in cooking. This
space in catholic houses was outward
Fig 6.4
0
1M 3M 6M
LIVING
HALL
CIRCULATION
TIOLET BATH
SPACE FOR
STORE
KITCHEN
HEATING
WATER
TIOLET
DINNING
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
PUJA ROOM
0
1M 3M 6M
DESPENSARY
HALL/DINNING
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
FAMILY ROOM
BEDROOM
TIOLET BATH
SPACE FOR
STORE
STORE
KITCHEN
HEATING
WATER
TIOLET
VARENDHA
LIVING
TULSI
Plan 6.5 a. Mr. Chopdekars house-Before. Plan-6.5 b. Mr. Chopdekars house-Now.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 58
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

looking space. But when the houses were
bought by Hindu in Mr. Chopdekars
kitchen was shifted to a different room at
the back of the house refer plan 6.4 a and
6.4 b. and In Mr. Gudes house there
were a lot of changes that were done and
the new kitchen which were added were
inward looking. (Refer plan-6.4)

6.7.3 Semi-Private spaces-
Semi private spaces-there were no
structural changes in the house the
stairway were retained. But the usage
pattern was changed.
In Mr. Chopdekar house the earlier % of
semi-private spaces were 33% but was
now it is reduced to 13%(refer plan 6.5)
same is the case of Mr. Gude house from
53% of semi-private space it was brought
down to 20% which show that like in
Hindu house where the semi-private
space was less than private, modification
were done in usage pattern so to adopt
the Hindu way of life.

6.7.4. Communication with the street.
Faade and openings- in Mr.
Chopdekars house had a very detailed
faade, which was not modified at all.
Only it was not painted for years. But in
case of Mr. Gudes house was an old
house with simple faade. When the
internal layout was modified and some
opening placements were changed to suit
the needs this is evident from the faade
(refer fig 6.6). Windows of these houses
no longer uses any upholstery as they
used to use.

From the cross culture influenced house
study it reveled that Houses which
belonged to other catholic culture were
modified according to the need of Hindu
culture, the following modification was
made-
The Puja space was introduced and
placed according to the Hindu
beliefs and culture.
Hindu element like Tulsi was
introduced. The houses, which were
bought by Hindus before 1957 built
wells in theirs backyards, this feature
was present in other Hindu houses in
the settlement.
Like other Hindu house where the
semi-private space was less than
private, modification were done in
Fig 6.6 faade of Mr. Gudes house- window
placement were modified, which is reflected in
the faade.
Area of Font ai nhas. -Soci o- Cul t ural aspect s and Bui l t Form.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 59
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

usage pattern in these houses so to
adopt the Hindu way of life.
Thus showing the strong impact of
culture in built form in the area.














Fi ndi ng, Concl usi ons and Recommendat i ons.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 60
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Section e- Findings, Conclusions
and Recommendations.
7. Findings, Conclusions and
Recommendations.
7.1 Findings.
At the Settlement Level.
1. Fontainhas has 2 major communities
the Catholic and the other Hindu
community. These settlements are
quite distinct in their location. The
major catholic community is on the
northern side of Fontainhas while on
southern side of Fontainhas is
occupied by Hindu community and in
this Hindu settlement there are minor
catholic settlement in patches.
2. The original settlers in Fontainhas
were mostly Hindus belonging to
lower social order. In 1811, Due to
the shift of Government offices and
institution to Panaji, Catholics people
who were employed in these
institutions shifted to Fontainhas,
which was an ideal setting then. This
marks the starting point in
development of the urban residential
settlement in Fontainhas.
3. Catholics had to visit the church at
least once a week since they believed
in praying in a community. The
Catholics settled vary close to the
church of Our Lady of Immaculate
Conception built in 1541 renovated in
1619, which was about 200m away at
a walking distance.
4. Later because of the spiritual need of
the people the St. Sebastian chapel
was built in 1818, along which the
settlement grew further. Which now
acts as the core of the catholic
settlement, which exists within the
200m of the chapel.
5. Wherever the minor catholic
settlement existed within its 50m
radius there is a cross. It might be this
cross might have been built later by
those people. The crosses were
located between 50-100m apart. The
cross was a symbol that bounded the
minor catholic settlements.
6. The Hindus settled on the southern
side of the settlement. Even though
the conversion had stopped long
in1774, still the Hindus had social
insecurity and hence they lived
together in a community, away from
the prominent catholic settlement.
7. The temple never acted as a point
of orientation in the Hindu
settlement like in case of catholic
settlement. Hindus were devoted
only to a particular deity, which their
ancestor worshiped. The Hindus
visited their temple (goddess/deity)
once a month even or only during
festival time or may be on an
occasion. The temples that exist
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 61
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

today came up only during the end
of 1800s.
8. In case of Fontainhas, the social
hierarchy determines the order in the
settlement. The people who were
placed higher in the social order
occupied the prominent places along
the street, around the squares,
temple/church or landmark. While
the other people from the lower
social order, occupied the back-lanes
of the area. Theses people were
basically from the economically
weaker section and use to serve the
houses of the higher order.
9. In both the cases, the Houses around
the major landmark belonged to the
people of high order in the social
system (mostly prominent people). In
Hindu settlement the major landmark
was the fountain (Fonte Phoenix),
while in catholic settlement it was the
St. Sebastian Chapel.
10. Scale of the house in term of area,
reflected the social status of the
inhabitant.
11. Since the settlement come up at the
foot of the hill on the west and
marshy lands and a creek on the east,
giving it a linear profile. Stretching
north south along a main spine the
area, it evolved as a tight settlement.
Along the spine the houses are lined
and open directly on the street.
At House Level.
1. Since the Hindus had complex set of
rituals, the Puja space was the most
sacred part of the house and the
access to this only limited to the
inhabitants. The Puja area was mostly
placed either in the center of the
houses or at the Rear of the House. In
most cases the Puja space is located
in the dinning room of the house. In
some houses there were actually 2
dinning areas. One was the sacred
one, which housed the Puja space.
Other one which was used to serve
the non-vegetarian meals
2. In catholic houses was the altar or the
prayer space was the sacred core. The
catholic believed in mostly
community worship. They use to visit
the church every week. The altar in
the house was actually a Hindu
influence since the Catholics were all
converts. This space didnt have a
definite placement pattern in the
catholic house. Since altar was even
place in the semi private area. A level
of secrecy was still achieved by
placing it high from the plinth level.
3. In both the communities kitchen,
bathroom, and toilet are placed at the
rear portion of the house for the
purpose of privacy for women.
4. The core of women activity was the
kitchen. Kitchen space in case of
Fi ndi ng, Concl usi ons and Recommendat i ons.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 62
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

catholic houses was mostly outward
looking with opening (windows) on
the outward side. In Hindu houses the
kitchen space was an inward looking
space with opening (windows) on the
inward side.
5. In most of the Hindu houses had a
well at the rear of the house, which
was placed near the kitchen and the
bathroom, basic necessity like water
was available within the private space
of the house, so there was no need for
the women to go out to fetch water.
These feature was missing in catholic
houses, but they had more of a
community wells.
6. In Hindu houses women also had a
sacred religious symbol, the Tulsi.
Tulsi was mostly placed within the
private space of the house mostly in
the courtyard or courts and if courts
were absent than it was placed in the
backyard in order to give privacy to
women.
7. In Hindu houses Privacy was not
only by the blank walls, opening on
the inward side, or separate access
way for women and other physical
devices, but also by custom. Guest or
outsiders were invited inside the
house; the spatial organization of the
house was such that the women
portion of the house was strictly
prohibited.
8. The catholic houses had bright
interior spaces so they usually used
curtain and lot of other upholstery on
the door and the windows, which
gave a sense of privacy. Since the
Hindu houses mostly had dark
interior, the upholstery was not
required.
9. In some cases in catholic houses the
inhabitant were more social in nature
the dining space was as proportional
to their respective hall space. These
dinning spaces were used in most of
the social events. So it was more
semi-private space than private.
10. In Catholic houses the private spaces
ranged from 40-64% while the semi
private spaces ranged from 42-33%.
The percentage of semi private
spaces was quite proportional to the
percentage of private spaces. While
in Hindu houses the range of % was
from 76%-80% of private space
compare to semi-private spaces.
Since in catholic houses the private
and the semi private space were quite
proportional than the Hindu houses.
Hence can be concluded that the
catholic houses was more social
oriented.
11. Privacy from the street was an
important aspect in both Hindu as
well Catholic houses but they were
achieved in different way.
Fi ndi ng, Concl usi ons and Recommendat i ons.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 63
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

12. In both the Hindu and the catholic
houses, the opening layout was
planned in such a way that the house
door on the opposite sides of the
street may not face each other.
13. In Hindu houses the main doors and
the next doorway on the inner side of
the house was always staggered to
achieve privacy. Since in most of the
Hindu houses the front door was
always kept open. While In catholic
houses entrance door and the
subsequent door in the interior layout
mostly faced each other. From the
entrance door one would see half way
through the house, but these was
possible only if the main entrance
door was open. In most of the
catholic houses the door are closed
most of the time.
14. In both the Hindu and catholic house,
which had a first floor mostly, had
French window
15. The Verandahs, galleries and balcoa-
these were the main element by
which the catholic community uses to
interact with the street and
neighborhood. These element were
mostly absent in the Hindu
settlement.
16. Faade in both Hindu and Catholic
houses was an important mean of
communication. If even today if one
happens to walk through this area,
looking at the faade one can have an
idea about the people living in the
houses.
17. Faade was an element that had
variety, but the consistency of
detailing and scale of the faade
bounded the settlement of
Fontainhas. Only Christian houses
were more detailed than the catholic
houses.
























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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 64
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

7.2. Conclusions.
An important part of history of
settlements concerns human behavior
and through cultural approach one can
understand some of the basis for urban
settlements. Understanding of cultural
origins of urban settlements allows one
to understand important aspects of how
human behavior patterns resulted in
subsequent urban settlement patterns. In
other words is its the socio-cultural
factor which is most dominating factor
that determines the built-form and it hold
true in case of Fontainhas.
Goan communities are very specific in
term of it cultural background. Goan
culture has evolved over time and
influences. Like Aryans introduced caste
system, this is still prominent till today.
The caste system was based on the
occupation and social-status, thus
forming a social Hierarchy in the
communities. The original communities
of Goa were mostly Hindus. After the
advent of Portuguese, followed with their
missionaries led to a lot of conversions of
Hindus to Catholics. The Hindus which
were converted to Catholics, during
conversion transformed caste system in
their religion. Thus the Hindu and the
Catholic communities were unique; they
followed the caste system thus creating a
social order in the settlement.
Similarly historic settlement of
Fontainhas is an expression of Socio-
cultural background of the communities.
The settlement of Fontainhas is
consisting of 2 major communities 1) the
Hindus 2) Catholics.
The socio-cultural factors played an
important role in shaping the settlement
of Fontainhas. The way of life and
beliefs of the Catholics were such that
they had a strong association with
religious symbols like church, chapel,
cross and these symbols bounded the
settlements together. So catholic
happened to settled close to an existing
religious symbol which was the Our
Lady of Immaculate Conception church
and then as their needs increased they
built other religious symbol that was the
St. Sebastian Chapel which further
provided the base for further evolution of
the settlement. Unlike the catholic the
Hindu evolution or the settlement pattern
in an urban scenario like Fontainhas had
no religious symbols (like temples etc.),
but it was the social insecurity that
bounded the community (they stayed in a
community away from the major
Catholic settlement). Thus causing a
very distinct Catholic and Hindu
settlement in Fontainhas. Since the two
communities had a caste structure, it led
to a creation of a social stratification,
with people of higher order occupying
Fi ndi ng, Concl usi ons and Recommendat i ons.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 65
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

the prominent location while the lower
order settled in the back-lanes, further
creating social stratification which
shaped the settlement pattern in both the
communities
The socio-cultural aspects also an
important factor in determining the house
forms in each community. The culture
(way of Life) was based on the beliefs of
each community. The Hindu houses had
mostly inward looking houses while the
catholic house had more of outward
looking houses and it can be proved on
the bases of following points. The
Hindus followed strict rituals, since the
religious symbol like the temple was
missing at the settlement level. The
location of the Puja space inside was
important; the placement was such that it
maintains a level of secrecy. While in
Catholic the religious symbols at the
settlement level was more important,
than the altar space at house level.
Privacy for women was very an
important factor in both the communities,
but in Hindu community it was seen very
strongly. The Hindu kitchens were
inward looking with women having
separate access, while catholic kitchen
space was more of a outward looking
space. Privacy was even achieved in
Hindu house by planning the type of
lighting for each space. (The semi-
private spaces were well lighted while
the private spaces were dark enough to
prevent transparency. The breathing
spaces inside the house in case of Hindus
were more inward looking (the
courtyards and courts) while in case of
catholic it was outward looking (galleries
, balconies etc.) the main differences in
the house layout was that the % of
private space was much more than the
semi-private spaces. While in case of
catholic it was almost equal.
In both the cases the socio-cultural
(unique way of life) factor played an
important factor in the house layout and
the house form.
Fontainhas a settlement shaped by two
major communities having different
socio-cultural background had common
elements that bounded both the
communities together it was the common
architectural language spoken by the
faade. The faade in each house was a
reflection of the socio-cultural
background of the inhabitant each. Since
each inhabitant was different so was the
faade. But it was the scale and the
proportion, colors and the detailing that
bounded the place as one settlement.
In a settlement, Physical factors-
involving climate and topography,
materials and technology only provides
possibilities, but its the social-cultural
(way of life) factors that determines the
build form. In other terms it the man
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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 66
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

(people) who decide. So the human
aspects (people) are very important in
any settlements because they were the
one who built it they were the one who
stayed there and they will be staying
there so in order to study any built form,
like historic settlement of Fontainhas it is
very important to understand their socio-
background. Because architecture of such
historic settlement is always an
expression of socio-cultural background.

























































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Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 67
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

7.1. Recommendations-
1. Settlements like Fontainhas, which
is not only rich in its Architecture
but its also rich in its socio-cultural
background. Such settlements need
to be conserved because these
historic settlements constitute the
basic record of past human
activities. Its protection and proper
management is therefore essential to
enable scholars to study and
interpret it on behalf of and for the
benefit of present and future
generation. So to conserve place like
Fontainhas and to maintain its
essence, the socio-cultural
background will play an important
role. Because its these background
of the people, that led to the kind of
settlement that exists.
2. It was also absorbed during the
process of the study that even a
cross-culturally influence (house
changing hands) also led to the
major changes in the house form. In
such cases happen it going to change
the overall fabric of the settlement.
In an attempt to conserve the place it
should be noted that like above,
even the concept like adaptive reuse
is going to destroy the sensitive
socio-cultural fabric of the place
leading to commercialization of the
place. (e.g place like Mahabaleshwar
etc.)
3. Fontainhas was always looked and
talked only about the facades of the
houses. One should always look at a
house in totality. Its the plan form
that is reflected in the facades and it
the house that is reflected in the
settlement. So it is very important to
study houses a house in totality
along with the settlements in order
understand it.
4. A house reflects the image of the
inhabitant; hence the plan forms and
the facades in Fontainhas differ in
all houses. Even in historic
settlements identity of an inhabitant
of the house was very important.
There is no sense of diversity today
in architecture, while a historic
settlement like Fontainhas had
diversity yet identical. But todays
world no diversity, ten different
people stay in similar houses that
have the same facades and plan-
form.
5. Scope for further studies-
More studies were should be
conducted on different settlements to
test the socio-cultural impact
There is even future scope of study
on Fontainhas, were one can study
the house of the lower strata.

Bi bl i ography
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 68
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Bibliography.
Books-
1. ACTAS. 2001-Coloquio International.Universo Urbanistico Portugues. 1415-1822,
Published by-ACTAS, Lisbon.

2. Bowden, J ohn. 2000 Writing a Report. Published by-How to books Ltd. Oxford.

3. Cabrel Sa, Mario. 2002-Redefining Horizons. Goa Four Decades of Freedom.
Published by-Department of Information and Publicity. Government of Goa, Panaji.

4. Carita, Helden.1996- Palaces of Goa. Models and Types of Indo-Portuguese Civil
Architecture. Published by Fundacao Oriente, Panaji.

5. Da Costa, Anibal. 1999- A Goan Potpourri. Published by-Anibal Da Costa.

6. Gune, T.V. 1979- Gazetteer of the union territory. Goa, Daman and Diu- Part 1
Goa.

7. Hall, Maurice. 1992-Window on Goa. A History and Guide. Quiller Press Ltd.,
London.

8. Kostof, Spiro. 1992- The City Assembled. The element of urban form through
history. Thames & Hudson. London.

9. Larsen, Kartin. 1996-Faces of Goa. Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi.

10. Pandit Heta, 1999- Houses of Goa. Published by Architecture Autonomous, Panaji.

11. Patwardhan, S.J . 1995- A Citizens Report on the State of Goan Environment, published
by -The Other Indian Press, Pune.

12. Meneses, Antonio.1977 -Goa Notas Historicas, atraves dos seculos. (Volume-
1Panjim). Published By- J .D. Fernandes, Panaji.

Bi bl i ography
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 69
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

13. Malgonkar, Manohar.1982-Inside Goa. Directorate of information and publicity
Government of Goa, Daman and Diu. Panaji.


14. Pereira, Gerald. 1973 -An outline of Pre-Portuguese history of Goa. Published by-
Gerald Pereira, Goa.

15. Rossa, Walter. 1997- Cidades Indo-Portuguesas Indo-Portuguese Cities. Lisbon.

16. Sugden, Virginia. 1973- The Graduate Thesis. The complete guide to planning and
preparation. Pitman Publishing corporation. New York.

17. Rapoport, Amos. 1969- Houses Form and Culture. Prentice-Hall, Inc, New J ersey.

Research Paper and Articles.
1. Nachinolkar, Ketak. 2001-Historic City Panaji Goa. The architectural style in
Panaji. New Delhi.

2. Nachinolkar, Ketak. 2001-The Relationship of Three 16
th
Century European
Cities and their Relevance to the Old City of Goa. Understanding places through
their visual experiences, New Delhi.

3. Nachinolkar, Ketak. 2001- The Importance of 16
th
17
th
Century Architectural
Influences in Goan Architecture 19
th
Century, New Delhi.

4. Noronha, Percival. 1996 -The growth and conservation of Panjim city. Panaji.

5. Noronha, Percival. 2002-Fontainhas- living with the past. Panaji.

Reports.
1. Conservation of buildings and sites of historic and aesthetic important. 1984, By-
Government of Goa, Panaji.

2. Conservation of historically important buildings. (Goa Medical college, Panaji),
1998, Goa college of Architecture, Panaji.
Bi bl i ography
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. 70
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .


3. Census Report of 1961-Census of India, Volume XXVII. Goa, Daman and Diu.
Published by Superintendent of Census Operations, Panaji

4. Conservation Areas. Panaji. 1984, by School of Planning and Architecture, New
Delhi, for Panjim Planning and Development Authority. Panaji.

5. Towards revitalization of the traditional settlement of Fontainhas, Panaji. A case
study in Goa, India. Through guidelines for its future development, 1994, by Ritu
Prasad Aron- For the fulfillment of the course in Institute for Housing and Urban
Development Studies, Netherland.



Internet

1 -www.goahub.com/introduction/panji/history legends.html.

2 -www.egoahotels.com/history.html.

3 -www.goacom.com/goatoday/2001/aug/architecture.html

4 -www.goacentral.com/goacities/Panaji.html

5 www.mapsofindia.com/stateprofiles/goa.html



Appendi ces.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. A-1
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .



Plan of Panaji.
Appendix 1

Location of Panaji.
Map of Goa- Locating of Panaji.
Source-www.maps of India .com
Map of India- Locating of Goa.
Source-Internet.
Appendi ces.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. A-2
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Appendix -II
Questionnaire for the Occupants?
Name of the owner. Santana Ribiero.

Occupation : Doctor

Location of the House: Near the St. Sabestian Chapel.

Year of Construction: 1915.

Religion: Catholic.

Caste: higher order. (Brahmins).

Reason for Location: prominence of the are during the time.

Modifications if any: reducing the dinning area.

Which is the most prominent area in the house: The hall/living.

Space used for entertaining the guest: Mostly the living only on occasion the living is used.

Areas where these functions are held: the hall and dinning.

How often do one visit the church: Once in a week.

The location of Altar: Bedroom.

How often is the Altar is used: every evening during rosary.

Areas in the house most preferred : the verandah or balconies

Any other observations:



Appendi ces.
Investigation of built form of Fontainhas based on socio-cultural aspects. A-3
Goa College of Architecture. 2002-2003. Rohit Nadkarni .

Appendix III
Observation Schedule?
Name of the owner. Santana Ribiero.

Location of the House: Near the St. Sabestian Chapel.

Location of secret core: In the bedroom.

Plan form: Rectangular.

Location of courts/courtyards if any-

Location of kitchen and the location of the windows: at the rear of the house, windows
open on the exterior side.

Private areas in the house: Kitchen, Bedroom, Service areas.

Semi-private area in the house: the living/hall and dinning.

Semi-Public area in the house: the verandah and dispensary.

Sill level: .93m.

Lintel level: 2.3m

Plinth height: .3m

Height of the Building: 9.9m

N0. of storey: 2 storey.

Detail drawings of the house:-

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