“Yes, I want to build a house in Goa,” says a designer and Mumbai resident. “Yes it’s my third home in India. There is no cost restriction. But I want it to be the best and green house in Goa. And I want to have an infinity pool, lots of parking space and enough rooms to accommodate my friends when they come for a party. It has to follow all Vastu principles, my expert will give all the details. And yes, I want it very fast. It has to be built with reinforced cement concrete so that I can move in time for my next Goa party.”
“I’m a developer from Delhi. I’ve worked with many professionals and developed many properties in Goa. I’d like to build a house that is sustainable. Cost is not an issue. I like this plot in a village in North Goa. It’s on a plateau. I want to cut all the trees that are blocking the view of the valley. Cost is not a problem.”
“I’m from Bangalore and I want to build a house too. Yes it’s going to be my second home. I want to slowly move to Goa with my family. It will be great for my children. My budget is limited. I’m wondering if around Rs 1 crore would be sufficient.”
“We are three families moving to Goa. We have already purchased land in Chorao. It’s such a beautiful island. We want to build three houses next to each other. We have a tight budget. We also want a swimming pool and a few such shared facilities.”
“I’m from Goa living in a village in South Goa. I want to build a house but I have a budget of only Rs 25 Lakh. I’m Goan and have been staying on rent as my old house came crumbling down. I’m concerned about waste and want to try and use such material in building my house.”
“I’m from Maharashtra and setting up a farm to grow cash crops. I want to build my house and a few support structures on my land. I want to be self sufficient in terms of water, energy and resources. I want to build from waste material. I want to keep my expenses to half the current cost of construction.”
“I’m a mason from Satara. I’m fed up of working on buildings using cement concrete. My hands are ruined. I have health issues because of continuously working with cement. I want to learn building with natural materials. I like working with lime, brick and mud.”
“I’m a civil engineer from Bangalore. I attended a workshop to learn how to make mud stabilised blocks, domes, arches, vaults and rammed earth walls. This is unfortunately not taught in the college curriculum so one has to learn from outside.”
Goa is booming with construction everywhere. Land is getting converted at such a fast pace like there’s no tomorrow, with the blessings of those in power. At every local tavern, Tinto and Cafe, one can hear loud and heated conversations of land deals, construction and negotiations.
Everyday, the local dailies are reporting about Panchayat members caught taking huge sums as bribes for passing projects in their respective villages. Locals are rising in protest against mega projects, both apartment buildings and villas each with swimming pools, developed on pristine landscapes in Goa.
Recent reports in both national and local newspapers warn of desertification, submergence and rise in sea level besides the daily news of the evidences of climate change as witnessed in many parts in Goa.
While the community of eco builders is steadily growing, it would need a sea change for the new settlers and colonizers wanting to build their first, second and third homes to practise the key tenets of sustainability, eco friendliness and conservation in the interest of Goa and its pristine environment.
Why flatten the land and disturb its natural drainage and aid landslides when one can build in sync with the terrain of the land?
Why cut trees when they can be integrated intelligently and aesthetically into the design? And in turn help percolate water into the ground, shade the building and buffer against sound, rain and heat? This will also arrest erosion and conserve the soil.
Why not build light weight and live plant fences instead of tall, brutal and hostile compound walls and such barriers? Greenery binds communities, walls divide.
Why make Goa one’s home but not partake in its lakes, rivers and sea? Why build swimming pools that are heavily chlorinated which further leeches these into the ground water when waste water can be treated using plants and bio pools can do both, conserve and recycle water? With deforestation, Goa will have no water by 2030, so how will we be able to sustain swimming pools?
Why build with reinforced cement concrete that will last barely 50 years, then using natural materials, the real green gold which will last for hundreds of years?
Why not build with local and natural materials like stone and mud that will aid thermal comfort, natural ventilation and day-lighting instead of building boxes like human cages?
You, my dear friend, are the future custodian of my homeland that welcomes you with open arms. My land with all its greenery, biodiversity, fresh and clean groundwater, life giving rain, abundant food in its rivers, forest and sea and soil, amchi Goenchi mati, magical in its composition to help you build a Goa for all future generations.
(The author is an architect and silver awardee of the Golden Door Award 2020 for truth and integrity)
