Excerpt: ‘Apdu Gaam nu Ghar’ by Doro is a house that embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in the evolving narrative of Vemar village. This 150-year-old wooden house is a temporary residence owned by a former farming family who now live overseas. The timber from the old house is recycled into the new building, with beams supporting a split gable roof design. Old openings are transformed into new doors and windows, and shared walls are redesigned. The transformed house stands in a dynamic environment.
Project Description
Amidst aspirations and ties;
In empty spaces and occasional homecomings,
In negotiations of privacy and longed cherish fellowships;
A modest dwelling in our native land!
“Apdu gaam nu ghar”
Our home in our native village
[Text as submitted by architect] Vemar, a village situated 25 km from Baroda in Gujarat, experiences a significant exodus of its residents, with many families opting for out-migrations and contributing to the growing NRI diaspora. In the wake of this trend, ancestral homes are left behind as families relocate to various countries. The village tells a tale of two narratives: one where individuals preserve their heritage by transforming their inherited houses into cherished retreats for periodic returns, referred to as “Apdu Gaam nu ghar,” and the other where homes are abandoned, succumbing to the passage of time, while some adapt chaotically to the evolving lifestyle.
The older buildings, characterized by pitched roofs, solid openings, and a connection with narrow streets, showcase traditional craftsmanship with bricks, mud lime mortar, and plasters. In contrast, newer constructions exhibit haphazard development with raised plinths, flat concrete terraces, decorative tiles, and elaborate aluminum elements. These diverse architectural features shape the village’s built fabric, reflecting a clash between tradition and contemporary aspirations.
This particular house, owned by a family of former farmers now residing overseas, serves as a temporary abode during their visits. Standing for over 150 years, the wooden structure with shared walls features an “Otla” leading to aligned doors, culminating in an open court that ventilates utilities. The ‘Prahar‘ entertains guests, while the ‘Orda‘ serves as an intimate space for family and segregates women during larger gatherings.
The low-height roof and temporary first-floor opening facilitate agricultural harvest unloading/loading. The house, with changing levels and a pitched roof, represents a composite of materials and adaptations for improved living conditions and occupational needs.
The old house’s timber is repurposed in the new construction, with beams reused in the split gable roof structure. Shared walls are redesigned to accommodate the new roof, retaining the outer block’s originality with finishing updates. Wood from old openings is transformed into new doors and windows, preserving the main door and jaali in their original state. The transformed ‘Gaam nu Ghar‘ stands amidst a dynamic surrounding struggling with identity and associations.
Originally conceived as a restoration project, the structurally deteriorated old house was deconstructed and rebuilt due to safety concerns. The scale of the new house is optimized for occasional visits, featuring a split gable roof that encompasses all spaces. The project carefully balances the preservation of heritage with functional and safety considerations, embodying a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in the evolving narrative of Vemar village.
Drawings & Construction Images
Site Context and Old House Images
Images
