300 years ago, architects had the vision to design houses that would stand the test of time and vagaries of nature
With soaring mercury this summer, it is time to take a look at the houses in the walled city, which not only have a rich heritage value, but were constructed 300 years ago with a unique architectural design that can protect its residents from scorching heat, harsh winters and even harvest rainwater in underground tanks which can be used throughout the year.
The people who live in lavish high-end apartments, have to install air-conditioners to protect themselves from heat during summer. But, those residing in the walled city, do not need such luxury.
The residents experience uniform temperature, whether it is summer or winter, because of their unique structures. Most of the houses in the Pols are made with maximum use of wood and pure limestone, with a design which ensures ample sunlight and wind.
"The houses of the old city are made with such architectural designs that can protect their inhabitants from any form of natural hardship," said Ashutosh Bhatt of Khadia Itihas Samiti. "Such kind of structures can only be seen in the walled city in Gujarat and some parts of Rajasthan.
The architects of that time were such visionaries that they took care to protect residents from any adverse climate," Bhatt said.
Citing the visit of a foreign historian, Bhatt said, "A German professor and his team had come to Ahmedabad five years back and they did a survey of anti-climate structures of the city. They found that the houses in walled city are more heat-resistant then other areas of the city."
Most of the houses in the city are two to four floors with a chowk (open space) in the middle of the houses. The chowk acts as the air ventilator and supplies sunlight in the houses even if it is covered from three sides.
Therefore during the summer, the residents in the old houses have ample air circulation, giving a respite from the scorching heat outside.
"We never feel any harsh climate when we enter our house," said Bhadresh Zaveri, a heritage lover in the walled city. "The developers and architects of the walled city were such visionaries that they took care of climate adversities two to three centuries ago," Zaveri further said.
The houses made in the Pol are built in rows. In many books of history, the authors have appreciated the unique architectural value of the houses in the walled city.
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