The oldest part of the landscape, the mango tree, is as old as this house. It has been there providing fruits and shade not just to the residents but also to the neighborhood. A passerby would often see Asaf Khan’s children hanging from the trees, playing in the lawn, walking on boundary walls and generally spending time indoors, rather than outdoors.
The current caretaker stated, even today, they allow children from the surrounding area to enjoy the sweet mangoes from this tree.

According to the eldest daughter of the owner, Ms. Nehrir Khan, a balcony at the back was converted into a nursery, after she was born. However, her parents quickly decided not to keep her there, and it was then turned into a play area for the kids. Later on, when her younger sister was born, both sisters stayed in that room on a bunk bed. Another major change was the addition of a sliding door between the drawing and dining space in the late 1980s. As Asaf Khan often entertained many guests, the partition provided privacy between them and the other family members on such occasions.

The building was built at the back of the property keeping a large green lawn on the south, which was a symbol of social status and also provided environmental benefits. The lawn was sometimes used by the children to play cricket, as a get-together spot for relatives or sometimes as home for the pet animals of the owner. This landscape element – the lawn – has always been an integral part of houses of this type, making the house as a kind of a bungalow pavilion.

The house was designed in 1969 by a German architect based on the design of an existing house in Eskaton. The current owner’s family bought the house in 1973, and made no structural changes to the house. The only major change made was in partially converting the large garden into a basketball court. A wooden lattice was also added to the balcony. The lawn in front of the house was used for multiple purposes such as a playfield, a garden and even as a space to organize barbecue parties.

The gate used to remain open at one point in time. On one occasion, a tea stall was set up just outside of the gate, on the main road. To make it easier for the tea stall owner to establish his spot, the owners decided to close the gate to provide a backdrop for the stall. Till date, the front side of the gate is serving as a space for economic activities of the low income people of the neighborhood.

This verandah on the west is a narrow passageway, a quiet space under the shade of the surrounding trees . It was basically used as a service verandah to access the toilet of the main bedroom.

The south facing circular verandah was the favorite gathering space for all the family members. Sometimes it was a space for elders to sit quietly and write something, at other times it was a play space for children. Often it was a space to just sit and take in the view of the entry and garden area. Shaded by a large tree, this verandah area reflects the need of human space to connect to nature in day to day life. The verandah was open in the primary design but later, a metal screen was added above the railing for safety and security of the children. This measure was taken following an incident in which a child fell from an open balcony in one of the neighborhood houses.

The first floor also has a long span living space like the ground floor. The open and inviting living space holds precious memories for all the residents who lived here. It reminds them of all the family gatherings and good times spent together. This space connects all the other rooms and floors of the house. The interior doors with windows, large exterior windows and ventilators keeps this space well lit and ventilated throughout the day. According to one of the previous occupants, Ms. Sara Zaker, this part of the house had been used as a filming location by a theater company named Nagorik Natya Sampradaya.

Even though currently unused, the living space used to be the heart of the house. As several families lived under one roof, this is the common space where all the elders and children gathered for day to day activities. The flexible column free space allows everyone to use the space freely.
e. In the early 60s, the family decided to extend the building on the northern side, and that was when this dining space was added on the ground floor. The window and the sunshade in the interior wall, as well as the clear demarcation on the floor are thus the remaining evidence that show how that space had been altered.