Once an abandoned historical house, the TDF Ghar is an antique set up in an otherwise bustling street of MA Jinnah Road.
It is an exemplary project of adaptive reuse by The Dawood Foundation and spearheaded by Shahad Ghani Architects.
The house was built in 1920 – 30 in a typical architectural style of that time; marking the urbanization of Karachi led by Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehran, who was also known as “The maker of modern Karachi”.
Initially owned by a Hindu woman, Haribai Motiram, it was later purchased by Aisha Bai Dawood right before the partition.
Architecture is one of the biggest game players in the history of any civilization; the TDF Ghar carries British colonial architecture with a touch of its own. As you enter the house you are welcomed by a beautiful, huge tree covering the entire entrance, ornamented with plastic artwork lights. The veranda is all set with fruit trees like Badam, Imli and Champa; one can also witness a beautiful wooden Pinga.
“The Professional Hobo”
“Never Ending Footsteps”
This house has seen everything that Pakistan has been through; from the rising voice for a new nation, to the exit of British Empire. From being at one of the most prominent locations with multiple ethnicities living together to dusted and dilapidated.
The house is painted in light yellow tone, just like that of yesteryear’s, with prominent ornamented columns, eaves and pitched windows. Doors are solid wood complimented by sharp pigmented concrete tiles and beautiful mosaic patterns. Balconies are two feet projected with beautiful curved balusters.
The adaptive reuse of the house serves three purposes “The Living Room Museum”, “The Sehan Café”, and the “Mazhar-e-Quaid View Top”. The museum has a nominal ticket of Rupees 50 and setup is kept simple with artifacts and collectibles of the different owners of the house; and mostly Anglo-Indian furniture.
The house is undoubtedly a masterpiece of craftsmanship, functionality and a quick trip to Karachi’s rich Past.
“The Professional Hobo”
“Never Ending Footsteps”
The staircase is kept simple with a quick trip to the memories of the era, as you pass by the displayed photographs.
As you end this soulful journey of the past, you are here at the rooftop witnessing Karachi’s most prominent landmark “Mazar-e-Quaid”.
