Havelies

HAVELIES_MEHNOT KI HAVELI

Mehnot ki Haveli sits on the foot hills of Mehrangarh fort near fatehpol. It is one of the oldest and first to be seen from the entrance of the fatehpol gate. This cluster of havelis are inhabited by three families; one of the owners is Nancy Singh. As his family has inherited this place since generations, he is genuinely concerned about well being of its historic value. Whereas new owners have modified the other haveli using market available materials. The surfaces are cement plastered, removed articulations from the facade and replaced carved wooden windows.

As far as the sense of spaces are concerned there is a certain reasoning of community living to understand the socio cultural response on the formation of these clusters. These complexities may not be easily apparent but it has evolved over period of time and they have stories of self-expression in between the struggle with the pace of change. As Oliver has mentioned “In vernacular buildings that have been constructed to meet a specific need we may see evolve over decades, or even centuries, structures that have been modified and adjusted in form and detail until they satisfied the demands placed upon them” (OLIVER, 2006).

What is needed today is to make the active implementation of such traditional wisdom in a modern or development context and consider the gradual change that is occurring in traditional living pattern with people’s desire for aesthetic satisfaction and technological comfort.

As Oliver suggests it is better to consider the architecture form in the context of their environments and essentially, in relation to their capacity to meet the values and needs of the society that have built them. Moving forward to get a sound understanding, one should consider approach through first knowing the environment and not just by the architectural form.

Thus by sharing our perception, the dichotomy between those who study traditional built environments and those who inhabit it can be reworked leading us to new, lasting and invaluable insights like integrated living patterns, appropriate adaptation, climatic response, material exploration and awareness regarding preservation in the historic urban fabric.

Drawing by: Rutvi Patel First floor plan of two havelis. As one enters it opens to an internal courtyard on one side and doors to enter the rooms on the other side. This floor is used as a living area for the family gatherings.

© Photograph by: Abhilasha Jha Insight into the haveli.

© Photograph by: Abhilasha Jha Interplay of traditional elements with light and shoadow.