Material and Construction

LATERITE

Laterite soil cointain oxide of iron and aluminium and are found in many parts of Goa.The top layer of well developed laterite soil are relatively strong and bricks and rubble can be extracted.The former by hand or power tiller and the later by blasting.

RAMMED EARTH

ADOBE

(SUN DRIED BRICK)

WATTLE AND DAUB

SHELL LIME

AGGREGATES

The fast flowing streams offer plentiful river pebbles of all grades.In recent times a number of quarries extravting metal from basalt have been commisioned.

TIMBER

Goa with its tropical forests provide many different species of wood for house building.Roofing and door and window frame were generally done in Matti (Terminalia Tomentosa). Railings, columns, shutters and furniture in Teak (Tectona Grandis) or Jackwood (Artocarpus Hetrophylla). Zambo (Xylo Xylocarpa) was used when rain or dampness may have been a cause for concern. Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) was used as a low cost option for roofing.

ROOFS

The earliest roof covering was probably some palms and grasses. The Portuguese brought the Coconut palm and these began being used as thatch for roofing.During this period country or pan tiles were also used.Finally came the family of the Mangalore tile, which has evolved over a period of time.

FLOORING

The earliest flooring was of beaten earth stabilized with cowdung. Next came iron oxide mixed with lime. Later came broken china as ballast from ships which were made into elaborate designs. In early 20th century insitu and tiles of marble mosaic became common along with the import of ceramic tiles from France and Italy.

IMPORTED TILE

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