The Morjim Villas: Earth and Stone by the Sea
We are building four unique villas in Morjim, designed to thrive in the coastal climate. Each home uses rammed earth and laterite stone, creating spaces that feel like they have always belonged to the landscape, ready for you by October 2025.
An exterior rendering of the Morjim villa complex, showcasing two distinct architectural styles. On the left, a villa with wooden elements, and on the right, a home built with the characteristic local laterite stone, both unified by a vernacular Goan design language.
The facade of the laterite villa in Morjim. The design uses traditional sloping tiled roofs and clean white walls, complemented by wooden window frames and surrounded by tropical planting to create a modern yet rooted Goan home.
A view through a corridor in the laterite villa, looking into a central courtyard. This architectural feature is key to our designs, bringing light, air, and a piece of the garden into the very heart of the home.
The internal courtyard of the laterite villa acts as a green lung for the home. Lined with large glass windows and doors, it blurs the line between the living spaces and the garden, ensuring nature is always in view.
The poolside patio of a Morjim villa, demonstrating the seamless connection between the interior and exterior. Folding doors open up the living area to the stone deck and plunge pool, perfect for enjoying Goa's tropical climate.
The beauty of raw construction at our Morjim site. Here, freestanding rammed earth walls stand against the sky, their layered textures waiting to become part of a finished home. This is building with the land itself.
A close-up of the formwork used to create our rammed earth walls. This image shows the process of compacting layers of soil, a method that is both sustainable and results in incredibly strong, beautiful walls with natural thermal properties.
About The Morjim Villas: Earth and Stone by the Sea
While most developments in Goa prioritize speed using concrete and steel, we chose the slower, labor-intensive path of rammed earth and locally sourced laterite stone. By using these traditional materials, we create walls with high thermal mass that regulate temperature naturally. This ensures the villas stay cool even during the humid Goa afternoons, significantly reducing the need for constant air conditioning.
Building in Morjim requires a deep respect for the coastal environment. Our approach is not just about aesthetics, but about performance and longevity in a tropical climate.
The Materiality of the Coast
We rely on two primary materials that define the structure of these homes:
- Rammed Earth: By compacting local soil, we build walls that breathe. These structures provide natural insulation, keeping interiors comfortable and reducing humidity inside the home.
- Laterite Stone: A staple of traditional Goan architecture, this porous, earthy stone is durable and weathers beautifully over time, allowing the villas to settle into their surroundings rather than standing out against them.
Designing for the Tropical Lifestyle
Every villa is oriented to maximize cross-ventilation, reducing the reliance on artificial cooling. We have incorporated central courtyards, which act as the 'green lungs' of the house. These spaces pull cool air through the living areas and bring natural light deep into the home, blurring the line between the indoors and the tropical garden outside.
A Project in Progress
These villas are currently under active construction. We believe in transparency throughout the building process, from the formwork of the rammed earth walls to the final oxide flooring. By the time we hand over the keys in October 2025, the homes will have integrated perfectly with the local ecosystem. If you are looking for a retreat that values slow living, honest materials, and a genuine connection to the earth, this project is a reflection of that commitment.
Andagere Architects
We are Andagere Architects, and for us, building is about creating a connection to the earth rather than just occupying space. We work with local craftsmen to create these homes in Morjim, ensuring every wall and corner reflects the vernacular soul of Goa. We believe in building slowly, honestly, and in harmony with the land.
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