Final Year Civil Engineering Students Visit Chandor

On May 7th, 2025, final-year Civil Engineering students embarked on an enriching field trip to the historic village of Chandor, where they visited two significant houses as part of their architectural exploration. The trip was guided by Assistant Professor Jeffrey Valadares, who provided insights from an engineering perspective.

The first stop was the Menezes Braganza House, where Mrs. Menezes Braganza warmly welcomed the group and shared detailed historical information about the property. Along with Professor Valadares, Mrs. Braganza highlighted various aspects of the house, including its architectural style, building methods, and unique design choices. She elaborated on the reasons behind certain construction techniques, finishes, and stylistic decisions that reflected the heritage of ancient Goan-Portuguese houses. Professor Valadares complemented these insights by explaining the engineering features and structural aspects of the house, giving students a thorough understanding of both the aesthetic and technical sides of the building.

Next, the group visited Fernandes House, also in Chandor, where Mr. Ranjeev Fernandes greeted the students and shared the history of the house. The students observed the traditional methods used in the construction of these older homes, gaining insight into how the designs were carefully planned to meet future needs while ensuring stability. Professor Valadares provided explanations on key features like ventilation, roofing, and finishing, which distinguished the Portuguese-era houses from modern designs. The students gained valuable knowledge about the thoughtful design considerations behind these historical homes.

The field trip offered an exceptional learning experience, exposing students to the contrasts between ancient and modern architectural practices. It deepened their understanding of the techniques and design principles that shaped these historic homes, providing a wealth of knowledge they could apply to their studies.

At the end of the day, Professor Valadares and the students expressed their gratitude to both hosts for their hospitality, making the trip a memorable and insightful journey into the past.