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Houses in the Saatusa area divided into two types. The most common is a distinctive, tall, circular mud-wall and thatch building called a 'gattaketta'. Then there are also several square mud-brick homes with corrugated iron sheet roofs. In highland areas nearby, people use another design of house made of bamboo.

A house with iron sheets is more expensive to build than a thatched home, but that does not necessarily mean that the family has more money. Some thatched homes are beautifully maintained and have quite good furniture inside. Iron roofs are better at keeping the rain out, but thatched roofs are much cooler in the day and let the air circulate more freely at night.

When people build new houses in the village they all work together in a shared labour system called 'dagua.' On average, a man can expect to be called out 10 times a year to help people build their homes. The women help out too - by preparing food and coffee for the men.