The Coral Houses of the Galigoni Isles

"Lanu and Anna danced and twirled in the crystal blue water without a sound save for the displacement of their aquatic surroundings. Bubbles rose with each fluid motion, a poetic rendition of their lover's dance to be lost in the surf above. Each motion was matched by a parallel from the partner. Each action rising in fervor as the two moved closer and closer. Then, for a time unknown, all was still as they stared into each other's eyes. Time, for once, had no meaning. Was it mere seconds, or was it hours that they gazed with the exuberance and glow of passion into their lover's soul?
Lanu, still holding the enamored Anna in his arms, let the tide carry them to the pink coral wall of their house. They, intertwined after the intensity of the moment before, drifted down into a bed of softer coral fronds and anemones, which brushed against their bare skin. Even if he must leave in the morning, atleast they would have this moment. They could remain here, letting the incoming tide distort the glistening star above, as long as they wanted. This may be their last moment at their home together" -Except from 50 Stories of Love from the Orient, Thomas Aquin

Purpose / Function

These dwellings are intended as the homes for those that reside on the edge of the sea in the Galigoni Isles. They often take centuries to build, and are typically generational homes. As a result, most homes are quite spacious, with multiple levels.

Architecture

The Coral Houses of the Galigoni Islands are renowned for their naturalistic, architectural interpretations of seashells. Most, in some way or another, resemble a seashell of some variety or another. More often than not, these houses are built of coral stone harvested from the atoll or bay that they are from. The Coral Houses are usually built into the water itself, so that the foundation is always under the water. Often times, this results in these houses being surrounded by gardens of rich coral growth, and abundant aquatic life. Each house, by some degree or another, is attached to a larger community or the shore with bridges of rich tropical wood, or coral stone.
These precisely carved stone edifices are usually adorned with small windows, and ornaments from the sea, often in bands running vertically along the surface of building. A home of a wealthy household will most likely have the exterior of the house adorned with gems of mother-of-pearl, while more impoverished properties can adorned their homes with anything from colored stones to sea shells.
These coral homes are usually set up around a large central room, used for eating and communal activity. Smaller, personal rooms radiate off this central room both vertically and horizontally into private suites for each member that requires one. The interior is usually furnished with carpets

History

There is much debate as to the development of the coral houses. Currently, the Society of Anthropology, as well as many other anthropological and historic organizations, believe that the construction of the Coral Houses began on the island of Zunui in the Eastern Galigoni Islands. Current investigates suggest that a tribe of Tortles started the building these houses, not as houses, but as tidal gardens to accumulate food from. The potential of their work as homes did not become evident until the middle of the First Age, wherein the proliferation of the concept of coral house built became ubiquitous with indigenous Tortle Culture.
Many villages and towns in the Galigoni Islands are built in this way, even outside of Tortle Culture. Some towns, abandoned in the migration of populations, have been repopulated by other societies. Triton cultures in the region have further seemed to modify the construction to meet their own requirements for complete submersion in the ocean.

Alternative Names

The Coral Houses, The Shell Houses

Type

House