The site includes a European style two-storey bungalow, a large garden, separate kitchen, and activity buildings.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale had requested Mahatma Gandhi return to India from South Africa to organise a community for the Swaraj movement.

[2] When he did return In 1915, Gandhi planned to establish a shared living space to foster personal growth, self-reliance, and community service - an ashram.

Many cities including Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Rajkot and Haridwar invited him to build his ashram in their communities.

[1][2][3][4] On 11 May 1915, Gandhi gave a list of items required for the ashram to mill owner Mangaldas Girdhardas, and estimated an annual expenditure of ₹6000.

Desai offered his "vacation-home", a bunglow in Kochrab village, then on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, for an annual rent of ₹1 while Gandhi was founding the ashram.

Gandhi stood firm in his decision and was anonymously helped by Ambalal Sarabhai who donated ₹13,000, saving the ashram from closing.

The first floor features a low-seating conference room, a library and a large balcony where a brass bell was used to alert the members of the ashram of scheduled activities.

A series of wall panels featuring quotes from his autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, narrate the history of the compound.

[3] The kitchen is located in the building's rear and consists of a single floor with a tiled roof, a storeroom, toilets and bathrooms.

Panch Ordio, “five rooms,” is an elongated building which was utilized for a variety of activities, including weaving and carpentry.