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VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
GENEVIEVE NORONHA
FOURTH YEAR B. ARCH
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1. History
2. Biography
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7. Bibliography
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CONTENTS
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HISTORY
GERARD DA CUNHA is a well-known name in modern Indian architecture.
He prefers working with natural stone and his unique projects are seen all
over the country.
He received the Commendation Award in Rural Architecture, Designer of the
Year Award and the Prime Ministers National Award for Excellence in Urban
Planning and Design. Da Cunhas Goa based architectural firm Architects
Autonomous specializes in eco-friendly, site specific architecture.
The quintessential architect was conducting exhibitions on the houses of Goa
as his contribution towards the renaissance.
In a short time span, it reached such a zenith that he took it even worldwide
At that level of saturation, he needed to put the entire work under
a single roof.
The architect conceives that the Goans were looking for a new identity and so
embarked on the experiment in architecture to produce something new and
unseen anywhere in the world. And this saw the birth of the Museum
Houses of Goa.
BIOGRAPHY
Gerard da Cunha is an Indian architect based in Goa. He is an alumnus of the
prestigious School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. He is known for
utilizing locally available materials and traditional construction techniques in
harmony with its ecosystem.
Gerard runs his architecture firm 'Architecture Autonomous' in Goa, India. His
projects are spread across the country that include resorts, townships,
institutions and even private residences.
Gerard da Cunha maintains his practice from the old Portuguese colony of
Goa, which he considers has a novel history in that it was the site of the first
sustained encounter between the East and the West.
Gerard da Cunha is identified more with preserving Goas heritage, hes been
renowned equally for being one of Indias first few green architects, one who
believes in utilising locally available material in harmony with its ecosystem.
His design for the Odissi gurukul Nrityagram in Bengaluru, the initiative of
dancer Protima Gauri Bedi, is iconic.
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Built in stark stone found in the area, it is very different from traditional Goan
architecture that is his mainstay.
This adaptability got da Cunha an award for rural architecture.
As did his design for a Jindal steel township in Karnataka called Vidyanagar
that won the Prime Ministers Award for Excellence in Urban Planning and
Design.
Five years ago, da Cunha was hired to restore Goas oldest fort the Reis
Magos.
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Spiral Staircase
Spiral staircase done in laterite stone.
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Guest Cottages
Constitutes of thatched roof and rammed earth constructon.
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Bibliography
1. http://www.nbmcw.com/articles/architects-project-watch/654-goasarchitectural-prodigy.html
2. Jump up^ http://www.nbmcw.com/articles/architects-project-watch/654-goasarchitectural-prodigy.html
3. Jump up^ http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ad.563/abstract
4. Jump up^ http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-when-architects-graduateto-kindergarten-2095348
5. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/pastissues2/ArtWin.as
p?From=Search&Key=TOIGO
%2F2008%2F07%2F23%2F21%2FAr02101.xml&CollName=TOI_GOA_ARC
HIVE_2008&DOCID=24133&Keyword=(%3Cmany%3E%3Cstem
%3Efort)&skin=pastissues2&AppName=2&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
6. Jump up^ http://www.nbmcw.com/articles/architects-project-watch/654-goasarchitectural-prodigy.html
7. Jump up^ http://m.rediff.com/news/2003/nov/10spec.htm
8. Jump up^ http://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/jul/12/arundhati-roybooker-prize-politics
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