Gerard da Cunha

Gerard da Cunha is an Indian architect based in Goa. He is the founder and principal architect of the architecture firm Architecture Autonomous. An alumnus of the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, he is known for utilizing locally available materials and traditional construction techniques in harmony with its ecosystem.

Gerard runs his architecture firm 'Architecture Autonomous' in Goa, India. His projects are spread across the country that include resorts, townships, institutions and even private residences. He maintains his practice from the old Portuguese colony of Goa, which he considers has a novel history in that it was the site of the ‘first sustained encounter between the East and the West’. This encounter has engendered a unique culture and architecture that is evident in da Cunha's lively and rather Gaudíesque work.

Born on 10 February 1955 in the city of Godhra, Gujarat, Gerard travelled across the country since childhood as his father worked with the State Bank of India and had a transferable job. He did most of his schooling at St. Mary’s in Mazgaon, Maharashtra. Later, he studied at the prestigious School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, which is regarded as the best institution for architecture education in India. There he met his first wife, Arundhati Roy, now a famous Indian author, who was also a fellow student at SPA, Delhi. They married in 1977, only to be divorced 4 years later. During his 3rd year at SPA, Gerard took a one-year break from the school and travelled to Kerala to work closely with the world- renowned architect Laurie Baker, whom he greatly admired. After his course in architecture from School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Da Cunha joined DDA in 1979, but he found the experience of working there extremely monotonous. Bored with his job, he went to Goa (his home state) hoping for some exciting element in his life.

Gerard has been the architect of several projects which find places all across India. These include Nrityagram of Bangalore, Hampi’s Kannada University’s main building and its library, Bangalore’s Taj Kutiram Tourist Resort, Central Library in Panjim, JVSL Township in Torangallu, House for Mr. Sajjan Jindal at Torangallu, Tourist village in Kerala and Jimi Gazhdhar’s lavish mansion on the banks of Goan river, to name a few. Gerard’s projects mostly portray the use of natural material.

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