|








    
    -
-
‡ |
|
Pol is a dense mass of two to three storeY building made
porous by small house courts, public spaces and narrow
streets.
Each pol has a well-defined boundary and an entrance gate.

The houses are clustered around looped or dead-end streets
and sub-streets. The land is used intensely with almost all
plots fully covered without any margins. The houses are
oriented towards internal private courtyard. The built form 
generates mostly positive open spaces.
Built mass
‡ |      
Streets
 !"! !  #! #!   Open spaces
"!!$ 






    
    -
-
‡
%
&  ' |
   
(
|
Pol housing in ahmedabad is not the result of one particular time but over the period
of time various forces like # !" " aspects has evolved
the form of pol.


$ |
&)
' )

Instability and disordered life with insecurity in maratha period led to them the
planning of pol.
$  ) )
& 
' )


group of people of same caste or profession came together for greater interaction
and formed a community to support each other.
*$ )
&) ' )

the hot-dry climate of ahmedabad led to the compact wall to wall clustering of house
forming narrow streets which remains shsded all the time. 
+$ &

 &
)
,

stone and wood are the basic material due to its easy availability.




    
    -
-
‡ |  ,  ( & )&
' 
(
|
Primary urban structure is ruled by the river, the wall and
internal network. the twelve gates on the fort wall lead
streets to the centers, they are bhadra and manek chowk,
the political & commercial centres.


The internal network of streets consists of commercial
streets and poles formed by an arrangement of residential
clusters. This suggests a system of urban spaces.


MANEK
CHOWK


BHADRA POLE
FORT

The systems of urban spaces is graded in the following manner : 1st order ± 
bhadra ± manek chowk, central axis 2nd order ± chaklas near gates
3rd order ± at the beginning of pols 4th order ± choktha at 
inter ± sections of pols. 5th order ± falia in between the pol &
khadki at the end of pol. 6th order ± space internal to institutional or residence. 


    
    -
-
 |
‡ |
 |)


There are different scale of open spaces in pol housing. With different scale and location
of open spaces, the definition of that open space will differ.
‡Open spaces are connected with each other ,forming the heirarchy of open spaces.

‡Open spaces are used for different kind of activity as per location& scale of open
spaces.

‡Following are the different scale of open spaces. 

!- ./- - city level open space
).- ± public interaction at urban level.
).-. ± semi-public type of interaction at urban level.
0. - ± private type of interaction at urban level.
)./- ± private space. 




MANEK CHOWK CHAKLA CHOKTHA KHADKEE CHOWK


    
    -
-
‡
0 ) 10 |
‡ OPEN SPACE AT CITY URBAN LEVEL.
‡ MANEK CHOCK IS LOCATED ON MAIN AXIS OF BHADRA FORT.
‡ THE CONTINOUS EDGE OF FOUR STOREY BUILT MASS OF THE SURROUNDING
HOUSES LEND THE OPEN SPACE SPATIAL DEFINATION AND HUMANE SCALE.

‡ AT DAY TIME,AS THE MARKET SPACE
& FOR PARKING AND AT NIGHT TIME
BECOMES RECREATIONAL SPACE
WITH HAWKERS. 



DAY TIME



NIGHT TIME

    
    -
-
 |
‡)0

‡ public type of interaction at urban level.
‡ This place is at the junction of three main
streets.
‡ Mainly commercial activities are present on


periphery.
‡ Retail trading by hawkers [mainly fruits &
vegetables] takes place in the centre.
‡ Constant movement of people gives higher 
public ness to this place.
‡ Public services like public toilets & public
telephones are also provided in this area.

shops

chakla
shops 
shops Public toilet


25m 


    
    -
-
 ‡ &

& 
&1 0
|
Street network consist of three
types of streets.
1. Main street
 "!!

" "!!
2. Distribution street ! "!!

3. Access street
‡  &

&
Dwelling units 
shops

6m Street bazaar
shops
Dwelling units

|
 '  &

&
‡Commercial &trade activities on
main street 
‡public type of interaction at urban
level. 
9m ‡This space connects small open
spaces. 
‡Most of the main entrances of
6m poles opens on this main street. 

)&  '  &

&


    
    -
-
‡ & (&  &

& |
Distribution street connect the pol with the main
street.
Distribution street are more local territorialized
version of street bazaar.

Beside the commercial activities they also have
other social facilities & utilities.
Commercial area is a part of a dwelling unit having 
single ownership.
The facilities and utilities depends on local context
and life-style of house-hold.


9m


4.5m 


    
    -
-
))
 &

& |
Access streets connects the semiprivate open
spaces ( khadki) with distribution street.
Entries to the dwelling units are given from the

access street and the khadki.
When entry to the dwelling unit is from access street,
it is also used for household activities and utilities.




9m



3.0m


    
    -
-
m ) 0& |
‡ Courtyard space at the junction of street is called µchoktha¶.
‡ This place highlights semi-public type of interaction at urban level.
‡ This place is at the meeting point of three subordinate streets, connecting main streets.

‡ Here also daily activities like parking, washing
clothes, etc.take place on the side & occasional
activities take place in the centre.
‡ Commercial activities take place in the approach 
from main street.
‡ The typical structure called µchabutaro¶ placed
in the centre of the µchoktha¶ is a focal point.


Dwelling units


choktha


shops
15 m Dwelling units 
Dwelling units


    
    -
-
‡00 |
‡It is the semi private space.
‡A narrow approach from street leads to the
typical entrance gate of this place.


‡Organization of this place consists of squarish
courtyard space in the middle, & on the two
sides the dwelling units faces each other. One
side is the entrance gate & the other side is
the buildings of shorter span used for storage Plan of khadki 
& stairs.
‡summer this place is used for sleeping.
‡ This space is used for parking. Separate 
wash area called µchokdi¶ space. so interaction
between neighbors is much more in this space.

‡This space is strongly enclosed and defines parking in Wash area
in khadki
itself from the street by the gateway. khadki 

Entry to the 
khadki


    
    -
-
 |

‡ ë .!   #  2"#  /!2

 #-!   "/$3
‡ The houses are deep with narrow frontage

which opens into narrow street or semi-
private open space.
‡ Its longer sides shared wall with adjoining
house which do not allow any kinds of
openings. 
‡ Pol houses represents strong linear
arrangement & organization.
‡ The houses in pol are mainly three storey
structure covering all the plot area available 
as permitable f.s.i. is 3.0
‡ The facade treatment of each unit defers
from each other, highlighting the individuality 
‡ Minimize the surface area of house which is
responding public space or street for security 
and privacy.




    
    -
-
 ‡
4  # .! "
|
‡ In maratha period, insecurity & instability lead to the planning
of pol ,so fortress kind high density planning was done.

1. Single space unit organized around the common open

Gate is provided in the
entry of the semi-private

open space
space

Unit semi-private unit

open space plan section 
Cluster of 6 unit

2. Division of single space due to Semi-public space

- increased in family & their Semi-private space
profession & privacy and need of Private space 
work space
Unit semi-private unit
open space 


plan section Cluster of 6 unit

-


    
   
-
‡
4  # .! "
|
Semi-public
3. Open space becomes the central
space
space for light & ventilation also acts
as a transition space between semi- Semi-private
public & public spaces


space
semi-private private
Private
open space open space
space


plan section

4. Due to the mixing of cast 

in one cluster concept of
private open space 
introduced.
semi-private private open unit 
open space space



plan section


    
    -
-
 |
‡ &,|
 '  
'  DUE TO THE PYSICAL LOCATION
1. HOUSE ALONG THE STREET
2. HOUSE AT A JUNCTION
3. HOUSE FACING STREET AND SEMI-OPEN SPACES


‡THE NARROW FAÇADE ‡TWO FACADES ARE FACING THE
OPENS INTO THE STREET,SO LIGHT & ventilation is ‡ENTRY TO THE HOUSE IS 
STREET,THREE WALLS FROM SEMI-PUBLIC
more
ARE SHARED WITH SPACE & THE BACK
ADJUSTANT PROPERTY. ‡Privacy is decreased FAÇADE IS FACING THE

STREET.
‡PRIVACY IS MORE ‡need for open space acts more as 
‡OPEN SPACE ACTS AS socio-cultural activity than as the ‡COMMERCIAL CAN BE
PROVIDED ON STREET
LIGHT WELL & VENT light well & vent shaft
SHAFT
SIDE. 


    
    -
-
‡ Spatial elements of pol house |
‡ Otta:
- front part of the house
 " 
which connects house to
#"
the street or semi-public
-. -!! ./-

open space.
- it is used for sitting , " " #
generates interaction between the neighbors.
‡ Khadkee 
- semi-private space which receives strangers & guests.
- staircase is provided in this part.
‡ Chowk
- central open to sky space, which connects all the activities in the house. 
- it serves as the light well & ventilation shaft.
‡ Osri 
- the semi-open space around chowk is known as osri.
‡ Parsal 
- semi-open passage which is used by the women for multipurpose activities
- kitchen is provided in parsal, if house is narrow

‡ "5 4!
- pooja room, paniyaru, bathroom, kitchen is provided around the chowk in

semi-open space.

    
    -
-
‡ Baithak |
- the space above the otta & khadkee is
called baithak.it is used as guest room .- "  " 
or family room


‡ Agasi or lobby '" " #
- semi-open or open spaces provided ,overlooking to the chowk.
Also protects the ordo from direct sunlight.
‡ ordo 
- It is used as bedroom.

Heirarchial order in type

of spaces remains 
constant in a sequantial
manner from the street.

Semi-public space 
Semi-private space
Private space 
Ground floor plan First floor plan 
"!! !#! #! #! #! !#! #! !!
#!

    
    -
-
 WHEN THE UNIT IS |
FACING DISTRIBUTER
STREET AS WELL AS
SEMI-PUBLIC SPACE,
THE ENTRY IS
PROVIDED FROM

SEMI-PUBLIC SPACE
FOR SECURITY &
PRIVACY PURPOSE
" " # - UNDER GROUND

!
WATER TANK IS 
PROVIDED UNDER
THE FLOOR OF THE
CHOWK.

" " # 




! " #

    
    -
-
 |
)  !"  .! "
‡Three walls are common,so reduces
surface area exposed to the sun. only
shorter façade is open for light & ventilation

‡Chowk provides porousity to the
built mass.It also gives sense of
openness.

‡Chowk provides more surface area
responding to the open space for
light & ventilation Chowk-private
open space 
Public open space
‡Chowk also acts as vent shaft sucks
the hot air from the house ,providing

thermal comfort in hot-dry climate. ‡Wood & stone as a material
also helps in maintaining 
‡The balcony & projections acts as a
buffer protecting inner spaces from comfort level.
direct sunlight & hot winds.

‡Use of jali also provides
protection from hot wind.



    
    -
-
 ""2!!  #! #!  .! " |

‡Width is less ‡Open space along 

the common wall ‡Width is more ‡Open space in
‡open space along
middle connects
the longer side ‡Need of Open space ‡Open space in
middle gives more all the activities
‡Inner most space is not as light well or
ordo cannot get vent shaft flexibility in and act as a 
arrangement of focus point.
sufficient light, so it is ‡It is more interaction ancillary spaces.
more used as space for family
‡Light & 
storeroom. ‡Providing built form ventilation is

‡Open space acts as

‡Cross ventilation on both the side highest as two 
from two side walls gives more spaces sides are also
light well & ventilation open.
benefit of open 
shaft
space.



    
    -
-
%"  #! " .! #! #! |
‡Spaces which have maximum
activity are arranged around
the open space and near to

street for more light and
ventilation.
‡Kitchen, paniyaru, pooja room,
bathroom are provided around 
the open space.
‡Factors affecting arrangment
of spaces around open spaces
‡Width of house 
‡Users personalization 
‡Social& cultural forces
‡Size of open space 




    
    -
-
!"4! |
‡ All the service areas are provided around the open space & near to the street
because of the restrictions of material & technology.
‡ Toilets are provided near to the street for easy services as they are provided in

later parts in most of the cases. Position of toilet depends on personal &
social factors.
‡ Bathrooms are provided on the upper levels, near to the street or open area.


toilet



‡Entry to the toilet from the ‡Approached ‡It is provided in the khadki
otla internally from khadki 
‡If joint family and different ‡Most of the times when
‡When family is house form is at junction
users at different levels nuclear. 


    
    -
-
 |
6!  #"#"  .! "
Pole houses has some scale & proportions.
The ratio between the depth of house[x] and frontage[y] varies
most

X:1.5y to 3.6y
Depth[x] & height[h] ratio
X:1.5h to 1.6h 


Variation in Height & frontage ratio leads to the difference in proportion of facades






    
    -
-
‡  7 1 1
|
‡ DOOR WITH SQUARE AND RECTANGULAR PANELS BREAK MONOTONY OF
THE FAÇADE
‡ WINDOWS WERE RECCESED WITH JALI WORK FOR PRIVACY AND
CLIMATICALY IT CUTS DOWN THE INTENSE HOT WIND ENTERING THE

HOUSE.
Sill level is around
Sill level is around 1.7to2.0m allowing
1.5m from the road only one way
level.gives lower movement. gives

degree of privacy. higher degree of
Section through access Section through privacy.
street distribution street

DOOR PLACEMENT
‡USABLE AREA IS MORE 
‡PRIVACY IS NOT MAINTAINED ON AXIS

‡GIVES MORE PRIVACY
‡USABLE AREA IS LESS 
‡SPACE IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS

‡PRIVACY IS LESS.


    
    -
-
‡ ) & )&  &
)
,
|
‡ STONE & WOOD WERE BASIC MATERIAL
DUE TO AVAIBILITY OF THE MATERIAL.
‡ WOODEN SKELETON WAS INFILLED WITH
STONE OR MUD MASONARY.


‡ ALL FACADES WERE FINISHED WITH WOODEN
PANELS WHICH MADE THE SUPER STRUCTURE
LIGHTER.
‡ WOODEN STRUCTURE WAS PREFERRED DUE
TO ITS WEATHER RESISTANCE AND LOW

MAINTANANCE.

‡LOAD BEARING
WALLS AND POST- 
BEAM
CONSTRUCTION 
FIRST FLOOR PLAN ‡SPANNING IS DONE
ON NARROW SIDE 
‡IN FRONT PART
&,|)

POST & BEAM
CONSTRUCTION 1


WITH WOODEN 
)& 
BRACKETS ARE 
GROUND FLOOR PLAN USED


    
    -
-
‡ '8
&
&
&
|

‡ THE FAÇADE OF THE POL HOUSE

- STREET FAÇADE
- CHOWK FAÇADE

‡ THEY WERE IN WOOD WITH EXQUISITE
CARVINGS DEPICTING RELIGIOUS
SYMBOLES, FLORAL MOTIVES AND
GEOMETRIC PATTERNS.
‡ BALCONIES WERE SUPPORTED BY THE

WOODEN BRACKETS WHICH WERE CARVED.
‡ FAÇADE ELEMENTS LIKE BEAM, BRACKETS,
COLUMNS,DOOR & WINDOW CARVING GIVE
THE INDIVIDUALITY TO EACH DWELLING. 
‡ THE COLLONADES ARE THE INTEGRAL PART
OF STREET FAÇADE, BRACKETS AND 
COLUMNS REDUCE THE VISUAL SCALE.
‡ THE ARRANGEMENT OF WINDOWS IN THE
FRONTAGE BRINGS THE HORIZONTALITY

BREAKING THE VERTICALITY OF
COLLONADES. 



    
    -
-
 |
‡ ) )
 

POL HOUSING HAS ADVANTAGES LIKE

‡CLIMATE

‡HEIRARCHY OF OPEN SPACES WHICH ARE ACTIVELY USED BECAUSE OF ITS
SCALE &PROPORTION
‡INDIVIDUALITY TO EACH HOUSE STILL CONTINUATY IN FAÇADE 
TREATEMENT
‡PRIVACY & SECURITY

CIRCUMSTANCES IN PRESENSE LEADS TO THE


‡ TRAFFIC PROBLEM 
‡ NEW CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL & TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO THE
DISCONTINUITY IN FAÇADE,SCALE & PROPORTION OF POL HOUSING 




    
    -
-