Design · Tue, 8 Sept, 2026 · 6 min read
Translating the classics: restoring a Goan villa
What it really takes to bring a Portuguese-era house back to life, from laterite walls to roof tiles.
By Elias Varghese
The old houses of North Goa were built for the climate long before air-conditioning: thick laterite walls, deep verandahs and tall rooms that pull hot air up and out.
Start with the roof
Almost every restoration we see starts with the roof. Mangalore tiles last, but the timber under them rarely does. Budget for new rafters before anything else.
Keep the walls breathing
Laterite needs lime, not cement. Cement plaster traps moisture and the walls will spall within a few monsoons.
A good restoration looks as if nothing was done at all.
Add the modern quietly
Kitchens, bathrooms and a pool can all be added without losing the character of the house. The trick is to keep new work clearly new, and old work clearly old.
