Cantonment Bungalow

By Tara D. Loughman

Architect: Rahul Mehrotra
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Throughout the world, most concepts and designs used in architecture today have come from indigenous techniques. One of the most important aspect of a building is its footing and what is used to hold its foundation together. Posts and columns have commonly been used throughout time and have often been used by many carvers as a stone carving technique. This allows them to display their signature decorative abilities.

The Cantonment Bungalow, which was completed in 2002, takes a modern approach to some of these indigenous techniques and concepts. The original structure was built in 1840. Mehrotra was commissioned to restore the bungalow with a balance between the old and new. Vertical supports are seen throughout the structure with an outer colonnade and a series of Tuscan Doric columns. Specifically, the service court area was refurbished to enhance the existing deep timber columns. Unlike the buildings other columns, these specific columns use a more intended base that was originally hand carved out of stone. The Cantonment Bungalow demonstrates the various uses of indigenous materials and techniques while providing a significant approach to a contemporary and modern design.