Bangladeshi migrant builds functional home on narrow one-percent plot of land
Photo Collected
A Saudi Arabia-based expatriate has captured widespread public attention in Comilla’s Daudkandi upazila by constructing a functional home on a sliver of land measuring just one percent of an acre. Situated in Sholpo Pennai village, the structure spans 85 feet in length but is only 5 feet wide, representing a remarkable exercise in spatial efficiency that has drawn curious visitors from across the region.
The home belongs to Md. Shahjalal, who financed the 250,000-taka project using his earnings from abroad. The site was previously a low-lying wetland, which the family filled to provide a stable foundation for the tin-roofed structure. For Shahjalal’s wife, Khadija Akter, the dwelling represents a long-awaited resolution to years of housing instability. The couple faced significant hardship following legal disputes over ancestral land that left the family—including their three children—alternating between the homes of relatives and periods of homelessness.
Despite the extreme narrowness of the living space, Khadija Akter notes that the home is equipped with the necessary amenities for daily life. The interior layout is segmented to maximize functionality: the entrance houses a kitchen, followed by a dining area equipped with storage cabinetry. The sleeping quarters contain a modest bed and additional storage, while the rear of the structure accommodates a water pump and a restroom. To augment the limited interior, the family utilizes a 10-foot-long front walkway and a 14-foot-long open space at the back for seating.
The ingenuity of the project has resonated with the local community, who view the dwelling as a testament to the family’s resilience. While neighbors acknowledge the unusual dimensions of the house, they emphasize that it provides a permanent sanctuary for a family that spent years without a fixed address. As images and videos of the home continue to circulate on social media, crowds have begun arriving daily to witness the unconventional residence, offering a rare glimpse into a story of perseverance in the face of significant economic and legal adversity.
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