TRADITIONAL URBAN HOUSES OF LAHORE : A study on the urban quarter of the walled city of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to consider the principles of urban formation of the Walled City of Lahore, Pakistan. This paper discusses the spacial pattern of urban houses and their group form. There are variety of plans of houses corresponding to the size and the form of the site. By taking notice of courtyard, they can be classified three basic types. These are (A) typical courtyard house (B) house with courtyard-like terrace on the upper floor (C) house with no courtyard space. Mansions called haveli are considered as a prototype of the urban house of Lahore. Most of the site of houses are under 100m^2. Many entrances of houses are situated along the cul-de-sac, so the privacy of the residential space is well kept. The projected platform called tarra functions as semi-public space which connect the street and the house.