_d.png "Independence Day 2025")
Goa offers more than just about beautiful coastlines, especially in its capital Panjim (or Panaji). The small city is a living example of Portuguese architecture starting from its structures to the colour palette of its streetscape. Hassan M Kamal went on a colour code mission that revealed fascinating aspects about its history, design style and its functionality
Blue & White: Wide archways
“Some buildings had a waterway under the main large arched openings whereu00a0a boat could access the building. This is evident from the large archways which were perhaps walled up later with windows when the area was reclaimed and the road was built,” says D’Silva, adding that the older administrative and large mansions of the time had their main archways/doorways framed with granite stone architraves while others used laterite stone
and local lime plaster over it.
Art Deco:u00a0The arrival of reinforced concrete cement
Art Deco buildings like Hotel Mandovi and the yellow-and-white building style flourished as a modern style when Reinforced Concrete Cement (RCC) arrived in Panjim. “These buildings were typified by curvilinear edges, thin cantilevered projections which were impossible to do in stone previously and terraces,” says D’Silva. Panjim’s State Bank of India building (above) is a fine example of Art Deco architecture.
Maroon & white: Portugal’s pride
“This is a fine example of a building that came up at the peak of Portuguese rule, and the capital of Panjim was established (post 1850). Many such structures were residential two-storey buildings that lined the water front,” says D’Silva. The details reveal use of cast iron for its posts, railings, etc. These perhaps replaced wooden elements that were used earlier. “The first floor is wooden supported on a composite wall made of local laterite stone and mud as an infill,” she adds.
As white as a church
Originally, paints were derived from natural materials like laterite stone for red, yellow oxides for yellow, and indigo for blue buildings. While white was the fixed shade for churches, some Goans claim that the colour code was implemented to distinguish public offices from residential buildings. “Most public offices and government buildings were painted in blue, whereas residential buildings of officers were painted in maroon and white. Yellow and white were common colours for private establishments as well as for residences,” says Durgesh Nair, Goa Customs Officer and
Panjim resident.u00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
