Architect Gerard da Cunha

GERARD DA CUNHA

Presented by

V SEM. B.ARCHKARPAGAM UNIVERSITY

1ANNIE TRESA GEORGE 09RBAR008 KARPAGAM UNIVERSITY

INTRODUCTION

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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.

Gerard da Cunha is a well known name in modern Indian architecture.

Born in Godhra,

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 Minister's National Award for Excellence in Urban Planning and Design.

Da Cunha's Goa based architectural firm Architects Autonomous specializes in eco-friendly, site specific architecture.

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• Gerard has been part of several projects which find places all across India.

• These include Houses of goa Nrityagram of Bangalore, Hampi’s Kannada University’s main building and

its library, Bangalore’s Kutiram Tourist Resort, JVSL Township in Torangallu, Tourist village in Kerala. Jimi Gazhdhar’s lavish mansion on the banks of

Goan river.

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• His works are truly inspired by Kerala-based low-cost natural-material architect Lawrie Baker.

• Gerard’s projects mostly portray the use of natural material.

• One of the most impressive and unusual works of this architect has been the township which he has built for the JSW Steel Plant, about 30 kms from Hampi called Vidyanagar.

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HOUSES OF GOA

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HOUSES OF GOA

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• "Houses of Goa", a unique museum by reputed architect Gerard da Cunha.

• phenomenal outcome of the amalgamation of eastern and western architectural styles.

• This museum showcases the houses which were the prime expression of the goan identity.

• The museum is built as a traffic island in Torda,Salvador-do-Mundo, Goa.

• The museum is a three-storied triangular shape load bearing building

• that is built with exposed laterite stone

• the actual triangular shape is formed only on the second floor, making it resemble a ship.

• This museum is constructed using cost-saving technology

• Gerard’s ‘traffic island’ as this is known, has been designed by cutting the vertexes on the ground floor for the smooth flow of traffic.

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• The movement possible inside the ‘traffic island’ is only around 40 sq mts on each floor and within this; one can easily get a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage and history of Goa starting from 1300 BC and has photographs, skillfully drawn maps, models of ancient houses, collection of designed pillars, windows designs, carved furniture, false ceilings, tiles and literature of houses and the people of Goa even before the Portuguese invasion. 

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• strange ship like structure with exposed brick that houses this museum, located kind of right in the middle of the road !

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HOUSES OF GOA

Climb the winding steps to the theatre upstairs, to see rare ancient lamps and a machila, and with a seating arrange for about 100 people.

Here Gerard conducts a slide show presentation, with an adaptable screen, taking you on an architectural tour right to the earliest mud house.

NRITYAGRAM

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NRITYGRAM

• Nrityagram is India's first modern Gurukul (residential school) for Indian classical dances and an intentional community in the form of a dance village.

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NRITYGRAM

Grounds and gardens of the Nrityagram following vernacular architecture.

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NRITYGRAM

Nrityagram Dance Village is situated at a distance of approximately 30 km from the city of Bangalore.

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NRITYGRAM

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• This village was established in 1990 in a 10-acre agricultural land leased by the Government of Karnataka

• Nrityagram has created a perfect village ambience with mud buildings, greenery, shady trees etc.

• The buildings are built with mud giving the look and feel of an Indian village. The open areas have large green cover and many trees dot the place.

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Says da Cunha, "Vernacular architecture is our starting point; it is similar to the flora and fauna of the region. It springs from the ground like wild flowers, perfect in its use of material. It embodies the local lifestyle and its process of evolution is completely unconscious."

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THANK YOU..

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