| On landing in Goa in 1512, the
Portuguese first made churches with little stress on embellishments.
Later Classical elements crept in to the church designs.
Till the middle of the 18th century the religious buildings
informed the style of secular architecture. These buildings
were massive two storeyed structures with a small opening
on the ground floor and large windows on the first floor.
Double storeyed houses were a throwback of the Portuguese
double storeyed mansion. Double storied houses which were
constructed later show the varied designs that were used
for decorating the house.
By the 18th century another style in building construction
evolved. It was the single-storeyed house inspired by
the Hinducourtyard house.
It is obvious from the buildings dating before the coming
of the Portuguse which still survive today that they too
imbibed Westernstyle features. With the evolution of the
Goan identity, the metamorphised house with features like
porch and veranda became important elements inhouse designs.
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