The farmhouse and ancillary buildings are part of an agricultural compound and were intended to serve as prototypes.

Kot Karamat Site Plan 1. Farmhouse 2. Sheds 3. Workers Houses 4. School
Kot Karamat Site Plan 1. Farmhouse 2. Sheds 3. Workers Houses 4. School

The village of Kot Karamat is about 50 kms from metropolitan Lahore. The farmhouse and ancillary buildings are part of an agricultural compound and were intended to serve as prototypes. The objective of the project was:

  • To encourage the residents to collaborate in the development of their village;
  • To construct prototypical workers' houses in order to demonstrate the advantages of permanent dwellings; and 
  • To explore the potential of local materials within the restraints of costs, climate, and available skills.

The project was defined at the end of 1968 to include a farmhouse and ancillary buildings for the client's own use including agricultural grain stores and machine sheds, animal sheds and housing for his own employees. This was later extended to include a masterplan for the redevelopment of the entire village, providing community facilities like schools, a mosque and communal open space and permanent house-and-lavatory functions.

Farm House Plan
Farm House Plan

The intention of the client was to demonstrate the advantage of permanent planned dwellings by constructing prototypes and encouraging the villagers to collaborate in the redevelopment of the village according to his plan. Construction commenced in early 1970 with the main house followed by the construction of prototype worker's houses. During the construction of the residential buildings, the local district council took an interest in the project and came forward with 50% of the cost of a new school.

Workers houses (top) and School plans
Workers houses (top) and School plans

The project, however, failed to convince the local inhabitants to participate in the redevelopment of the entire village. The responses were, partly suspicion on the part of the peasants regarding the 'real' motive of the big landlord and partly scepticism regarding any innovations and andy departure from the traditional and the familiar. But equally, the practical constraints of attendant problems of re-allocation and relocation of their existing dwellings and the unresolved question of financing.1

  • 1. Aga Khan Awards, Project form IV, 1980

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