The Ranchhodlal Chhotalal ni Haveli is located at Khadia, Ahmedabad. It belonged to the family of Ranchhodlal Chhotalal who was a pioneer of the textile industry in Ahmedabad. Its conservation was an attempt to restore the structure to its traditional glory with the larger goal to set the stage for conservation of the rich cultural heritage of the pols in the walled city of Ahmedabad.

The process began by understanding the status of the integrity of the structure, the envelope and its finishes so as to minimize the level of intervention. This was followed by identification of the appropriate materials, techniques and craftspersons to keep the conservation as close to its original form as possible. Some of the challenges faced included removal of the additional support provided and re-alignment of columns with respect to their verticality, retaining the old wood work in doors and windows and re-introducing minimal new wood work, repair and reconstruction of the jack arch, strengthening of the wooden balcony on the front façade that was disjointed from the main structure without disturbing it and the alignment, refixing and conservation of the entrance jharokha and the restoration of decorative work in lime plaster, balustrades etc. All these challenges had no readymade solutions. ‘Trial & error’ methodology was used to achieve the objectives set forth.

The successful restoration has snow-balled into a good deal of conservation activity in the Walled City and the building is today used as a Conference Centre.