The Architecture of Houses in the Chakawala Sheri Locality, Old Surat

HistoriesBuilt Spaces
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Published on: 14 December 2018

Binita Tamboli & Nikhil Sanjay Shah

Binita Tamboli is an architect by profession and is pursuing masters in Ekistics from Jamia University. Her research work majorly concerns history and philosophy.


Nikhil Sanjay Shah is a researcher based in Surat, with keen interest in urban issues, historic studies and conservation, sustainable development, community participation and earth architecture.

Chakawala Sheri is named after the Chakawala family of the late 18th century, that was among the first to start the official banking system in Surat. Houses here reflect features of the Bombay Art Deco buildings: they have a modern style with individual balcony projections that form the façade and simpler art deco motifs with diagonal lines.The balcony projections and the geometric patterns comprise straight lines that, in turn, define the façade.