A Modest House in ‘Pol’ Neighborhood / inpractice

Homes are often described as beautiful, comfortable, or even luxurious, but when the aim is to achieve comfort in compact spaces that is when it can be described as clever. Passing through the narrow galis (narrow streets), with rather traditional-looking homes, one observes the people who live here. They are chatting on the otla, an outdoor sitting slab, and on many occasions, one can see the hustle of everyday life in these homes from the street. This neighborhood in Ahmedabad has all aspects of a traditional pol but is quickly changing with time while being rooted in ideas of community living and the interaction of homes with the street. These continue to be the binding thread in its urban fabric.