DESIGNING A PORTUGUESE HOUSE
Most of the people think that constructing a Portuguese house means decorating it with ancient wooden interiors or some other antique articles. But the wooden interior is just a small part of a Portuguese house design. There’s a lot more to it. Here we share with you some of the design ideas for building a Portuguese house.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Starting with exteriors, the Portuguese house quintessentially has a Mangalore tiled sloping roof supported on wooden king post/queen post trusses on which purlins, rafters and battens support the Mangalore tiles. There is a prominent cornice design at the eaves level on which two layers of half round pot tiles are arranged.
The walls are usually 2ft wide , white or coloured, plastered or stuccoed and embodies pilaster designs on either side of tall narrow arched windows. The window edge is provided with “4 to 5”stucco bods. The windows have Mangalore tiled deep chajjas inclined at about 45 degrees supported by long round bar supports. Just above windows and at plinth level there is a “4” half round cornice running all round the house.
The house has a pathway connected to a grand entrance with a porch having wide steps entering into a veranda or lobby. All this creates a visual connection between the simplified volumes of a Portuguese house.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Going to the interior spaces, the lobby of the house is the heart connecting to various rooms such as hall, dining, bedrooms etc. Usually there is an internal courtyard connecting rooms lined with 6ft to 8ft wide verandas which give a stunning interior look to the house.
The floors are made up of mud tiles or hand painted glazed tiles called ‘Azulejos’. The art of Azulejos using hand paints , glazed tiles can also be used on walls.
In case the house has a swimming pool, the house should merge with a longer dimension of the pool which dissects the wide living and kitchen spaces, complimented with verandas and impressive views, if possible.
DECORATION
Now coming to the decoration, the Goanese style is more stereotyped in form and decoration. Small and elegant pieces richly carved with flowery designs often centered with a holy cross, which relates to the Christian influence of the Portuguese.
The doors should be arched and the combined use of light and dark coloured wood for making the doors create a contrasting effect. A white spiral staircase that contrasts with the surrounding stone walls is one of the modern interventions,
Huge windows with wooden doors, sculptured vases, wooden racks, black and white chequered floorings are some of the ideas for bringing a Portuguese feel. Interior walls should be painted white to contrast with the wooden interior.
Portuguese cultured art and paintings are also impressive. Huge lampshades and spotlights give it a finishing touch.
These are some of ideas for constructing a wonderful, attractive and well-ventilated Portuguese house.