A walk through Fontainhas reveals how adaptation, resourcefulness, and local materials continue to shape architecture that endures.
When most people think of Goa, they think of beaches. I used to as well. Then I spent a few days wandering through Fontainhas.
An explosion of colourful facades nestled in narrow streets, these old Portuguese inspired homes in the heart of Goa are impossible to ignore. Between all the technicolor, it was the windows that held my attention. Oyster shell panes (not glass) set within the windows locally known as 'capiz'. At a glance, they look almost like stained glass. Light filters through them softly, casting a warm glow into the rooms within. They feel delicate, decorative, and intentional.
They were also born out of necessity. In the late 18th Century when glass was expensive and not readily accessible to the locals, oyster shells were abundant along the coast. Thin oyster slices were molded into panes and set into wooden frames, creating a practical alternative that allowed light and air into the home while maintaining privacy. What began as a constraint eventually became part of the architectural identity of the region.
As designers, we often talk about innovation as though it arrives through new technologies, new materials, or new ideas. Yet many of the solutions that endure the longest begin with a much simpler question. What is already available? The oyster shell windows are a reminder of that. They weren't designed to make a statement. They solved a problem using the resources people had access to at the time. Decades later, they continue to feel distinctive not despite that constraint, but because of it. Architecture has always been shaped by climate, geography, economics, and necessity. Some of the most enduring details emerge when those conditions are embraced rather than resisted.
On my last day in Fontainhas, I stopped at a souvenir shop and picked up a necklace made from oyster shell. After days of seeing the same material filtering light through old windows, it was strange to find it sitting in my hand as something entirely different. At a time when glass was expensive and inaccessible to many, people turned to a material that was abundant around them and transformed it into something both practical and beautiful. I bought the necklace, but I think I was taking home a window.
Further Reading
- Borrowed Taste — How familiarity, context and cultural distance influence the way we perceive value in design.
- Designing for Time — A reflection on materials, ageing and the accumulated history that gives spaces character.
- Bathroom styles — A collection exploring natural materials, soft light and restrained architectural interiors.