Kishan Mulji_Y4 | Unit 14 | Bartlett School of Architecture

LHUENTSE SCHOOL OF CRAFTS -

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LHUENTSE SCHOOL OF CRAFTS

BHUTAN

Characterised by the systematic layering of bands of timber and dry stone, ‘Lhuentse School of Crafts’ speculates on the potential of the Himalayan construction technique of Kath Khuni, and the possibilities of this novel material hybrid. While using a double skin of timber to maintain rigidity, the technique uses rubble infill to dissipate the energy from earthquakes through friction, creating a low-tech solution for the region’s extreme environment.

The proposal adopts a similar approach while speculating on its application in the remote context of Lhuentse in eastern Bhutan, a nation caught between the push of modernisation and the conservation of its unique cultural heritage.

Through the introduction of a crafts based educational programme, the scheme seeks to consolidate Lhuentse’s textiles industry with a hybrid user group of foreign exchange students and native craftspeople, diversifying the nation’s overreliance on tourism revenue and generating more capital for the nation. Consequently, the proposal aims to celebrate the region’s resourceful nature and existing infrastructure, reframing the heavily spiritualised lens through which the Himalayas is normally viewed.

KISHAN MULJI UNIT 14

Design Tutors: Dirk Krolikowski & Jakub Klaska

Project Statement

Characterised by the systematic layering of bands of timber and dry stone, ‘Lhuentse School of Crafts’ speculates on the potential of the Himalayan construction technique of Kath Khuni, and the possibilities of this novel material hybrid. While using a double skin of timber to maintain rigidity, the technique uses rubble infill to dissipate the energy from earthquakes through friction, creating a lowtech solution for the region’s extreme environment.

The proposal adopts a similar approach while speculating on its application in the remote context of Lhuentse in eastern Bhutan, a nation caught between the push of modernisation and the conservation of its unique cultural heritage.

Through the introduction of a crafts based educational programme, the scheme seeks to consolidate Lhuentse’s textiles industry with a hybrid user group of foreign exchange students and native craftspeople, diversifying the nation’s overreliance on tourism revenue and generating more capital for the nation. Consequently, the proposal aims to celebrate the region’s resourceful nature and existing infrastructure, reframing the heavily spiritualised lens through which the Himalayas is normally viewed.

With credit to the following used as precedents throughout the project:

Graphic Reference:

Doug John Miller

Report Template Reference:

Thomas Band - Fondazione Gucci, 2020

Please refer to:

Appendix: Bibliography & Figures for all text and image references

NB. Figure 1.01A

Referenced Figure for Respective Page

Section Number

Kath Khuni Construction

OLD JUBBAL

The drawing explores my initial interest in Kath Khuni (cator and cribbage) construction, a technique used in all built forms in Sutlej valley of Himachal Pradesh. Using a systematic process of layering, the technique uses wood and dry stone to create stable, flexible, and strong buildings, appropriate to the region’s mountainous terrain, prone to earthquakes.

KATH KHUNI CONSTRUCTION

Characterised by layered bands of wood and stone topped off by slate roofs, Kath (wood) Khuni (corner) is used across large darbargadhs and kots (forts), intricate temples, to smaller dwellings, and is distinctive in silhouette.

The building plinths are constructed entirely of stone. Layers of stone and wood are then constructed with a double skin and its internal cavity is filled with rubble. External and internal skins are held together by cross-braces.

The heavy stone base carries the lighter wooden structure at upper levels. No mortar is used between the courses and the shear weight of dry masonry holds it down in place.

SEISMIC PERFORMANCE

The non-rigid Kath Khuni allows the building to flex with seismic waves and to efficiently dissipate the energy generated by earthquakes.

The technique caters to the social, aesthetic and environmental sensibilities of the site. The buildings in the region have survived years of tremors, weathering and earthquakes, proving the sustainability and durability of the construction.

OLD JUBBAL

Old Jubbal is a small hill town located east of Shimla in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

The village has been resided by Indo-Mongolian kiratas, who settled in the remote northern Himalayas, practicing Lamanistic Buddhism, alongside IndoAryans who found residence between the 12th and 16th century.

Second floor door

First floor planks

First floor beam

Stone slabs

Wall beam

Stone rubble infill

Kath Khuni: Key Elements

01 _ INTERLOCKING STONE/TIMBER

Using a composite application of timber bands and stone works with alternating, staggered timber beams integrated at right angles, the structure is both durable and flexible, resistant to earthquakes.

WIDER ROOF TYPOLOGY

Local roof variations include pent and gable roofs, with pitch and geometry changing in higher altitudes in response to changing patterns and intensity of precipitation in these areas.

ROOF

internal and external environments, and a wooden frame which acts as a flexible diaphragm. Two layers of slate shingles nailed to a single point to allow a degree moisture and adjust to any movement during

WIND RESISTANCE

02 _ EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS

The site’s key conditions of extremity include the mountainous terrain, the variable climate, and tectonic plate movement, which provide grounds for further exploration.

The balcony behaves as a wind blocker, protecting internal spaces from chilly winds at the valley side, with accompanying larger openings on the mountainside.

WALLLOADEDIN-PLANE OUT-OF-PLANE LOADEDWALL

03 _ SEISMIC RESISTANCE

Stiff long span timber beams, dovetail and dowel connections keeps the structure rigid, generating box-action, and transfers the lateral force from out-of-plane loaded walls directly to in-plane loaded walls.

LOCAL CULTURE & WOODCRAFT

Woodcarving is integrated into local architecture through tools including nehori (chisel), hathodi (hammer), punch tools and basoki (adze), creating ornament through the expression of classical and local motifs.

AS FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM

Figure 1.02A

Figure 1.02D

Figure 1.02C

Figure 1.02B

STRUCTURAL DURABILITY

Using timber under tension and stone under compression, the walls are configured to resist the sliding or overturning during land movement. Wood frames the stone that anchors the structure to gravitational forces, allowing higher damping and the quick dissipation of energy from earthquakes.

The use of a heavy stone plinth base and a lighter wooden frame construction at upper levels allows stronger distribution of mass, making it harder for the building to rock during movement.

The box shaped volume is also more effective at resisting sideways movement, distributing load transfers and shear forces during earthquake tremors.

THERMAL COMFORT

The air lock between the habitable core and balconies presents an example of passive heat containment, whereby heat is distributed evenly across the building. The stone also behaves as insulation.

DIAPHRAGM uses flexible are degree during

GF & Mezzanine Guashala (Cowshed)

First Floor Storage for grains, apples & other life support Second Floor Habitation - Bedroom, Kitchen, Living Room

PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION

Aukta House provides shelter for a family of five and three cattle. The guashala at ground level is supported by first floor storage and second floor inhabitation, alongside a second floor 1.8m cantilevered balcony supported by deodar beams.

PASSIVE HEAT GENERATION

The guashala (cowshed) located at ground level provides a base for cattle in summer, and allows the heat produced by the cattle to be directly radiated to the habitable spaces above.

Stone rubble walls also maintain internal temperature when outside temperatures reach below freezing point.

Kath Khuni Variations

DHAJJI DEWARI

Deriving from the Persian word “patchwork quilt wall”, Dhajji Dewari is a traditional construction method found in the Western Himalayas, and behaves as an extension of Kath Khuni. It uses a simple method of half-timbering, in which timber is infilled with masonry and sometimes mud mortar.

INFILL & BRACING VARIATIONS

Jackpads

Base Beam

Timber Cross Bracing

Main Post

Horizontal Beam

Wall Beam

Intermediate Post

Braced with increasingly random subdivisions Regular cross

Intermediate columns with regular

HIERARCHY OF ELEMENTS

Various components of varying thicknesses allow better load distribution. Intermediate posts and horizontal beam ends are nailed, while main posts have mortise and tenon joints.

Wall Beam and Base

Main Post

Intermediate Post

MOISTURE RESPONSE

Horizontal Beam

Cross Bracing

Although bricks are not traditionally used in foundations, the diagram below the roof diagram shows how a Dhajji Dewari dwelling could control moisture through the use of a damp proof course and by raising the ground floor from the ground to allow more air to circulate below. Due to the use of sand and cement mortar, timber is more susceptible to moisture build up, hence controlling the foundation is a way of easing this.

TIMBER JOINERY

Simple mortise and tenon joints and lap joints are common mechanisms used to strengthen and brace diagonal elements in Dhajji Dewari dwellings. Masonry infill offers increased friction when compression is applied to the walls. Nails allow more energy to be absorbed, and enable the timber frame to be held together, allowing the infill to be more closely confined, ensuring structural stability.

Masonry Infill

Tie Beam (centre)

Rafter (lower end)

ROOF

Figure 1.03B

Figure 1.03C

BARC0174 _ AAD1CHAPTER 1A _ HIMALAYAN SYSTEMS

Key Joinery

BASE PLATE - CORNER POST

The corner junction is typically made from high quality timber due to its proximity to the ground, and the perpendicular connection ensures the building acts like a box during an earthquake. The corners are locations for strategic strengthening.

WALL FRAMING

The principle members of walls are timber posts and ring beams that help to create robust frames. If connections are poorly prepared, it can result in the premature failure of the timber frame.

SPLICE JOINTS

The use of wooden pegs is important to prestress the connection, as well as the use of metal strapping or nailing which can improve the strength of these connections. Plane joints do not work well in tension when cross-halved, hence blocking pieces are sometimes used if the joint is not cross-halved, helping to add more interface to prevent the joint from opening.

BEAM TO BEAM - COLUMNS

C displays the least amount of cut in the column; D introduces a ledge to the beam to mobilise full beam shear capacity and E shows the best housing of the beam, but the highest reduction in the column section capacity. Pegs allow the columns to have reduced tension capacity.

ROOF & COLUMN TO FLOOR BEAM

Roof Trusses typically use nailed connections, as well as the column to timber floor beams connection, shown below, which can be nailed to achieve larger spans, and strengthen the connection.

DHAJJI DEWARI

Construction Details

Timber frames of typical Dhajji dwellings are sometimes constructed with blunt tools, sometimes making it hard for the joints to function properly. The index of joints here are a study of typical dwellings as well as some adaptations to ensure increased strengthening of connections.

Peg gives junction limited tension capacity

Dovetail gives tensile capacity, helping to reverse load

NO MORTAR JOINT

Similar to the catalogue of Dhajji Dewari joinery shown opposite, this junction looks at a precedent corner detail for a typical dwelling that uses Kath Khuni construction, demonstrating a consolidated approach to both Dhajji Dewari and Kath Khuni. The detail explores the timber stone hybrid with a changing gradient on upper levels. The plinth is comprised of dry stone and rubble infill with a cantilevered floor plate introduced on the upper storey supported by overhanging timber members. The horizontal stack displays an absence of vertical members as well as differentiated members of reduced scale on the upper storey to create less weight for the timber superstructure.

Figure 1.05A

Modern Response to Extremity

CONDITIONS OF EXTREMITY IN THE HIMALAYAS:

Extreme Cold - Heavy Snowfall

Mountainous Terrain within High Altitude

Monsoon Season - Heavy Rainfall

Dry/Arid Climate - Extreme Heat

HALLEY VI RESEARCH STATION, HUGH BROUGHTON ARCHITECTS, ANTARCTICA, 75°S, 26°W

In contrast to Aukta House, the Halley VI Research Station based in Antarctica is a 21st century response to extreme cold, a condition also experienced in the Himalayas, hence I chose to explore the building as a foil to Aukta House, and compare the different methods employed within their geographically disparate, but shared climates.

Located on a 150m thick floating Burnt Ice Shelf, the building is mounted on skis, in direct response to the shelf which moves 400m per year towards the sea.

The research station’s eight self-contained modules are divided into sleep, leisure, work and living, and are self-supported by its own supply of power, water and waste disposal.

KEY COMPONENTS

Porthole window comprises steel structure clad in highly insulated composite Glass Reinforced Plastic panels

Intumescent (swells under heat exposure) coated steel space frame substructure

Hydraulic (related to liquid moving in a confined space under pressure) operated cassette within paired steel Rectangular Hollow Section structure

Pre-fabricated service cassette within space frame void

Double glazed curved oval cockpit rooflight allowing full views of auroral displays in winter

Hydraulic operated leg wrapped in high performance insulation and mandrel wrapped with GRP skin

EPDM (synthetic rubber) thermal break between ski and leg

Extendable steel skis - allows station to mechanically climb up

Figure 1.06A

Abstract Fragments

SystemisingKathKhuni

HalfLafting/HalfDryStoneHybrid

AggregationwithReinforcement

TimberReinforcedGabionCageSkeleton

erticalStack

HorizontalStack

INITIAL DESIGN RESPONSE

Systemising Kath Khuni

Robust corners in Aukta House

Creating a negative for stone

infill to dissipate seismic load

Bending members creates stack

Double member interlock mimics Kath Khuni in section and increases strength in interlock

Robust corners to achieve box action

Extended Corner

Bending members to create stackSingle to Double member interlock

SYSTEMISING KATH KHUNI

The fragment aims to translate the efficiency and seismic resistance of Kath Khuni to a larger scale by mimicking the system in section, and through the development of a system that combines adjacent members, dowel joints, single member splitting and splice joints.

Using the corners of Aukta House as reference where robust connections achieve box action, the timber members are extended, bent, stacked and infilled to create varied levels of permeability, and offer spatial opportunities.

Creating negative

Three member dowel jointTri-axial, tri-planar joint

HALF LAFTING/HALF DRY STONE HYBRID

By exploring the transition from one material interface to another, the half timber lafting, half dry stone hybrid use the compressive strength of stone and the tensile strength of timber to introduce novel joinery in between material interfaces, through the exploration of variable timber profiles. Timber members are split and extended across separate axes to create differentiated aggregation, and the possibility to create scaled up spatial fragments.

The fragment translates the plinth superstructure of Aukta House into a differentiated inhabitable space, with timber members intervening with stone to create permeable counterpoints to the solid walls, and reciprocating with the base to create different points of entry when the members are splayed.

Half Lafting/Half Dry Stone Hybrid

Half Lafting/Half Dry Stone Interface

FLAT SURFACE

Square profile

SPLINE SUPPORT

Square profile

CORNER SUPPORT

Square profile

ROUNDED STACK

Circular profile

SPLINE SUPPORT

Circular profile

CORNER SUPPORT

Circular profile

SINGLE INTERFACE

Tongue and Groove

DOUBLE INTERFACE

Tongue and Groove

CHAMFER INTERFACE

Tongue and Groove

SINGLE INTERFACE

Square Tongue and Groove

DOUBLE INTERFACE

Square Tongue and Groove

CONCAVE INTERFACE

Circular profile

AGGREGATION WITH REINFORCEMENT

Combining Fragments 1 and 2, the use of timber reinforcement introduces a continuity between both materials, strengthening the hybrid and increasing durability, whilst reducing the construction’s weight at higher levels. Differentiated members create stronger ground and wall-to-wall interface.

Splice joint between timber member and stone

Curved timber member exploring continuity between timber reinforcement and thicker interface

Typical Retaining Wall Construction

VARIATIONS

The extreme mountainside terrain of the Himalayas opens the possibility to retain soil through separate solutions including retaining walls, in particular gabion cages, which can later be adapted for varied programmatic functions. As a mechanism that contains and bleeds into the landscape, typical variations of the retaining wall allow soil retention whilst engaging different forms and uses.

REINFORCED BLOCK

INCLINED

GRAVITY RETAINING WALL

GABION WALL CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

Assembly Wire baskets/cages assembled

ADAPTATION WITH TIMBER REINFORCEMENT

Employing a similar pre-stressed logic to that of gabion cage assembly, the concept images on the right display a mechanism in which timber reinforcement supports timber wire baskets which are later infilled with random rubble and dry stone, creating the possibility of an inhabited condition between the reinforced cage walls. Using a geotextile membrane would prevent clay and thicker earth from clogging the gabion cages.

Infill Cages infilled with random rubble/dry stones

Drainage Drainage pipe inserted at rear of wire baskets

Geotextile Geotextile membrane conceals drainage and rear of baskets

Backfill

0102030405

Rear of baskets backfilled with soil and topsoil inserted on roof of cages

Reinforce Ground dug out and timber reinforcements laid for timber mesh baskets insertion

Infill Stone and rubble infilled into baskets for added stability

Stack Baskets stacked to create an expansive wall with varied permeabilities

Figure 1.11B

Figure 1.11A

Timber Reinforced Gabion Cage Skeleton

TIMBER REINFORCED GABION CAGE SKELETON

Using Aukta House as a framework to tap into the concept of an unzipped inhabitable wall to draw attention to the interstice, the fragment mediates a permeable layer of enclosure through the use of timber reinforced gabion cages. Timber members with filleted corners create slots for rounded timber cages that extend and collapse, blurring thresholds between internal and external spaces.

The cages can later be used as temporary storage devices for demolition rubble or dry stone aggregate, creating a further layer of permeability and enclosure for users.

COMBINING TIMBER REINFORCEMENT WITH BRACING & INFILL

Through the introduction of nodal points in the timber reinforced gabion cage, member sizes can be increased and diverted with varying subdivisions to reinforce areas of increased tension.

A.

A.

B.

B.

C.

C.

Dhajji Dewari inspired bracing hybrids

Vertical Stack

VERTICAL STACK

Using the differentiated interlocking timber members of Kengo Kuma’s Yusuhara Wooden Bridge as reference (shown in different shades of grey below), the fragment develops an orthogonal cantilevered form (as referenced in Aukta House) with a hybrid of timber members and dry stone, including a deeper base of dry stone, and stacked timber members above, creating a plinth superstructure in elevation.

YUSUHARA WOODEN BRIDGE MUSEUM Kengo Kuma Architects Short Section

AUKTA HOUSE _ SHORT SECTION

HORIZONTAL STACK

As an adaptation of Kengo Kuma’s Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum plan, which employs an interlock effect, the fragment explores the spatial potential of a horizontal hybrid stacking system using glulaminated timber and stone infill, within branching legs and columns. The use of tiers introduces interdependence between the members, while creating equilibrium within the overall structure.

Horizontal Stack

MEMBER DIFFERENTIATION

Fluid Plinth/Light Superstructure

STRUCTURAL CONCEPT

Made of a heavy plinth combining aggregate with timber, a single member is repeated into a splaying volume.

CONCEPT

In contrast to the previous fragments exploring the stone/ timber hybrid, this fragment takes on an alternative approach, expanding on the importance of the wall in Kath Khuni. The fragment explores a more fluid form, conceptually displayed as a continuous splaying volume. Fabrics that behave as translucent shading devices dapper light into spaces below.

PROGRAMMECOMMON ROOM

Taking reference from Aukta House’s central gathering space, the fragment is divided with fluid breaks and thresholds between levels, creating a taller central space.

KEY ELEMENTS

Fluted members create slotting mechanism for small scale timber members supporting skins

PERSPECTIVE VIEW

Low resolution logging transitions to high resolution milling, creating openings within wall

Small scale timber members bleed into translucent skins

Layered hemp fabric offsets heavy plinth with sculptural skins

Layered fabrics dapper light

Stone/Timber Prototype 01

LARGE SCALE PLINTH SUPERSTRUCTURE

As a development of an earlier fragment titled ‘Vertical Stack’ which explored a vertical stacking system combining timber members with stone infill, this fragment speculates on the same idea at a larger scale, introducing a rock interface to present compact and expansive spatial opportunities. Using a large scale timber superstructure, sitting on top of a stone/concrete plinth, the fragment denotes a hierarchy of material, which extends to the programme through the use of a double height gathering space on the upper storeys.

Figure 1.16A

Trench condition

Figure 1.16B

Hemp fabric, native to the Himalayas, creates semi-enclosures

Central roof opening creates untempered interior

A.

A.

B.

C.

B.

C.

Stone/Timber Prototypes 02

ESTABLISHING A HYBRIDISED SYSTEM

Fragments 01 and 02 explore a hybridised architecture which pairs a glue laminated framework with dry stone of various sizes. Fragment 01 uses a gradient of stone sizes to create a hierarchy within the frame, while Fragment 02 uses the logic of retaining walls to bleed glue laminated members into the landscape, which then splay into differentiated sizes, creating a stronger curvilinear form and entrance.

FRAGMENT 01

Rockface to Wall Interface

A standard orthogonal grid is differentiated for permeable rubble infill.

FRAGMENT 02

Curvilinear Timber/Rubble Infill

Mesh Basket Steps Study

Combining the fragments on pages 26, 28 and 31 developed into a series of splaying glue laminated members that merge into a landscape integrated retaining wall, supported by rubble infilled mesh basket steps, the elevations of which are reinforced with timber, behaving as a non-intrusive continuation of the landscape.

1.18 _ Spatial Fragment Study

Stone/Timber Prototype 03

TIMBER REINFORCED PLINTH SUPERSTRUCTURE

Employing a similar prestressed logic to that of gabion cage assembly, the concept images here display a system for the plinth in which timber reinforcement supports timber wire baskets which are later infilled with random rubble and dry stone, sustaining an inhabited ground condition with a constructional hierarchy that uses varied timber members that are reduced at higher levels.

Stone Infill Gradient

Integrated Landscape

A. INHABITED GROUND CONDITION

SPATIAL OPPORTUNITY - INHABITED GROUND CONDITION

C. EXTENDED WALKWAY INTERFACE

I. Carved Plinth - Retaining Gabion W II. Inhabited Timber Superstructur III. Suspended Walkway

III.

B. COMBINED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

ENTRANCE/ SUSPENDED WALKWAY CONDITION

Suspended Walkway

D.

ISOMETRIC

B.

D.

A.

C. FRONT

GABION BASKET

Figure 1.18B

Figure 1.18A

II.

Himalayas Overview

HIMALAYAN BORDER NATIONS

The Himalayas extend for over 2400 km from the North southward from the Tibetan Plateau to the Indus-Gangetic Plain and contain 11 peaks above 8000m, with an average height across the Himalayas of 6000m. Several border conditions are disputed between India, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan and Bhutan, alongside several glacial sites that converge into lakes in the west. The scheme aims to re-frame the expedition, natural beauty and heavily spiritualised lens through which the Himalayas is viewed, instead drawing upon the region’s urban features to consider a new civic programme with hybrid functions and users.

Following increased population growth in the Himalayas since the 1960s, increased strain has been placed on local resources, triggering a rise in urban dwelling on mountainous slopes, despite the majority of Himalayan inhabitants remaining rural.

The opposite mapping of major passes is a study into the man-made interventions used to navigate the foothold nature holds over the Himalayas, as well as the extreme altitude, major peaks and ultras distributed across the mountain range. Much of the passes serve as interventions for trade, vehicles and people, and respond directly to the high footfall from tourists, largely in Nepal due to trekking and mountaineering expeditions.

The urban fabric of many high altitude towns has changed due to the flow of migration from countryside to the city.

Dehra Dun, Shimla, Darjeeling and Gangtok are recent examples of Himalayan towns that have been urbanised, some of which were prominent leisure locations for colonial British military officers during the summers. Although several nations have experienced modernisation trends, Bhutan stands out as relatively insular, having never been colonised, and invites further speculation for an architecture caught between the push of modernisation and the protection of its unique cultural heritage.

The infographic looks at the highest 38 peaks across the Himalayan mountain range, gauging the altitude range,

potential footfall for tourism, and the peak distribution and borders by nation. First ascents range between

the years of 1931 and 1992, with the highest peaks having been summited in the 1950s.

Himalayan Border Nations

WIDER GEOGRAPHICAL PARAMETERS

Containing 11 peaks above 8000m, with an average height across the Himalayas of 6000m, the Himalayas extend for over 2400 km from the North southward from the Tibetan Plateau to the Indus-Gangetic Plain. Covering the territories of India, Nepal, Tibetan Autonomous Region, Pakistan and Bhutan, several border conditions are disputed. The width of the mountain system varies from 180 to 350km, with a total area of 650 000 sq km.

The Himalayas are also home to the source of the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers, some of which converge into lakes, predominantly in the Western Himalayas, containing tectonic and glacial origins.

Kashmir is the site of multiple disputed areas, having seen multiple skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops. Both India and China are competing to build infrastructure along the border, known as the Line of Actual Control. India’s proposal for a new road to high-altitude air base is considered the cause of a 2020 clash. The diagram explores sites of contention within the wider Himalayas, alongside accompanying transport infrastructure interventions.

2.03 _ Wider Political Context

Disputed Himalayan Borders

Figure 2.03A

As an extension of the study into the major peaks and ultras (with topographic prominence greater than 1500m/4921ft) distributed across the Himalayan mountain range, formed by the movement of tectonic plates, the mapping of major passes is a study into the man-made interventions used to navigate the foothold nature holds over the Himalayas.

Although the terrain is extreme, some passes have been constructed as interventions for trade, vehicles and people.

Much of the passes are a direct response to the high footfall from tourists, largely in Nepal due to trekking and mountaineering expeditions.

In addition to the large mountainous coverage, glaciers occupy over 33000 sqkm of the Himalayas. The longest glaciers lie in Everest (Chomolungma) (up to 19km) and Kanchendzhanga (26 and 16km), in the Kumaon Himalayas. The glacier border ranges from 2500m in the lower region to 4000m in the central Himalayas.

Figure 2.04A

Following increased population growth in the Himalayas since the 1960s, the large volume of persons per hectare has created increased strain on the landscape, putting pressure on farm land, forests and water resources. Within mountainous districts, the densities have caused more occupation on slopes, much of which is located on the hills and Terai region of Nepal, where annual population change exceeds 4% per year. Although the majority of dwelling in the Himalayas is rural, the percentage of urban dwellers has continued to increase.

The flow of migration from countryside to the city has changed the urban fabric of many high-altitude towns. Dehra Dun, Shimla, Darjeeling and Gangtok are recent examples of Himalayan towns that have been urbanised, some of which were prominent locations of leisure for colonial British military officers during the summers, due to their cool climate in high altitude. Kashmir Valley contains one of the most populated towns in the Himalayas, Srinagar which has experienced modernisation trends - the onset of roads built for military use and hill stations during colonialism.

Figure 2.05A

2.06 _ Expanding Urbanism & Wider Economy Summary

Himalayan Infrastructure

MINERAL DEPOSITS

LOCATIONMINERAL

ZASKAR

MOUNTAIN RANGE

INDUS RIVER

BALISTAN

KASHMIR

LADAKH

JAMMU HILLS

NEPAL

BHUTAN SIKKIM, INDIA

FORESTRY

Sapphires

Alluvial Gold

Copper Ore

Iron Ore and Bauxite

Borax and Sulfur

Coal Seams

Coal, Mica, Gypsum, Graphite, Iron, Copper, Lead, Zinc

FOOD EXPORT

Fruits from Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are exported to cities in India, as well as grapes used for wine and brandy. Bhutan also exports oranges to India.

Tea is grown in Darjeeling, and spice cardamon is found in Sikkim & Bhutan.

HYDRO-POWER

Capacity for Hydro-power first harnessed in India

Reservoir at Bhakra-Nangal on Sutlej River completed in 1963 with storage capacity of 10 billion cubic metres of water and generating capacity of 1050 megawatts

Nathpa Jhakri Dam on Sutlej Valley, Himachal Pradesh and Rampur Station operational Nepal and China have constructed hydropower projects in the Himalayas, with the Zangmu Station on Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) River completed in Tibet in 2015

FARMING

Sheeps, goats and yaks are grazed at higher elevations and migrate to lower levels during cold weather.

Arable lands in the western Himalayas are in the vale of Kashmir, Kangra valley, the Sutlej Valley Basin, and the periphery of the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers in Uttarakhand, producing rice, corn (maize), wheat, and millet.

The central Himalayas produces corn, wheat, potatoes, and sugarcane.

TOURISM

Nepal largely relies on tourism as a sourc of income, including from mountaineers looking to climb Everest. However, this caused increased traffic and tourists’ consumption of the region’s limited resourc causing further stress on the environment.

Sikkim and Bhutan are large regions heavily forested, with land used for planting to supply firewood, paper and construction materials.

RAILROADS

One major railroad connects Kalka and Shimla in the western Himalayas, while the second connects Siliguri to Darjeeling in the eastern Himalayas.

A narrow gauge line in Nepal runs 30 miles from Raxaul, Bihar State, India to Amlekhganj.

Two shorter railroads run to the outer Himalayas, one from Pathankot to Jogindarnagar in Kullu Valley and the other from Hardiwar to Dehra Dun.

CARAVAN TRADE ROUTES

The Sikkim Himalayas use the historic Kalimpang-to-Lhasa trade route which passes through Gangtok. Several roads passable via four wheel drives have been built in southern Sikkim, with the highway from Siliguri having been extended through Lachung in northern Sikkim to Tibet.

The Kosi, Gandak and Jaldhaka Rivers were harnessed by India to supply electric power to Nepal and Bhutan.

AIRPORTS

Two major airstrips in the Himalayas are located in Kathmandu and Srinagar, with Kathmandu’s airport servicing international and regional flights. Increased road and transport infrastructure has expanded the growth of tourism in the Himalayas.

ROAD CONNECTIONS

Many new roads have been built since 1950, connecting several territories across the Himalayas.

KATHMANDU

NEPAL PAKISTAN

HIMACHAL PRADESH

MANALI PUNJAB

Low Himalayan Highway

via Kodari Pass

Karakoram Highway

Hindustan-Tibet Road

POKHARA, TIBET

BIHAR STATE INDIA

CHINA

TIBET

Srinagar, Kashmir via 5404m Khardung Pass

Highway Connection

Highway Connection

480km via Shimla and Shipki Pass via Jalandhar to Srinagar

LEH

KASHMIR

Lhuentse DistrictBhutan

Site Overview:

LHUENTSE TOWN, LHUENTSE DISTRICT, BHUTAN

Having identified Bhutan as an insular and never before colonised nation in the Himalayas, the chosen site in eastern Bhutan presents an opportunity to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage and identity whilst engaging both locals and tourists within a rural, but moderately urban context. The remote site is located nearby a cluster of historical spots in the ancestral homeland of the Bhutanese royal family in Lhuentse Town, the headquarter of Lhuentse District, whilst providing vast views across the high altitude town.

Brief Ambition: CRAFTS: A CIVIC & EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

The scheme seeks to consolidate Lhuentse Town’s reputation for textile/crafts production and its existing exposure to tourists/campers, aiming to introduce an educational programme for both local/ foreign users, creating a civic presence with a hybrid structural expression, materialising a novel cultural exchange.

02B BARC0174 _ AAD1CHAPTER 2 _ HIMALAYAS, ABODE OF SNOW

SITE AND BRIEF

Lhuentse, Bhutan

LHUENTSE TOWN

The site is located at high altitude with a vantage point over the town of Lhuentse in Lhuentse District, the headquarter of the district. Located 450km east of Bhutan’s capital Thimpu, the site is in the gewog (county) of Gangzur. The proposal for a citadel of culture/craft seeks to propel footfall in the remote district, and consolidate the existing infrastructure problems including poor electricity distribution, and the difficult terrain, which makes social welfare access a challenge.

Chorten

Dzongs are fortified monasteries, of which Bhutan contains many.

Lhuentse Dzong wraps central courtyard with temple, administration offices, and monks’ accommodation. It is a specifically Bhutanese/ Tibetan typology, behaving as the main civic centre the district. Large walls also obstruct lateral views, focussing attention to the sky (and the symbolism of the heavens). The scheme will seek to consolidate this landmark as well as its main conditions.

LHUENTSE COURT (CIVIC)

BANK OF BHUTAN (CIVIC)

LHUENTSE BACKGROUND

The site is moderately urban, yet still remote, as well as the ancestral homeland of the Bhutanese royal family. The site’s terrain and characteristics attract campers, making the site a potential mediator of such activity, creating an opportunity for cultural exchange.

This creates the possibility for structural expression referencing Kath Khuni, materialising a hybrid cultural architecture.

DZONG CONTOUR MAP

The scheme also seeks to mediate the environmentally protected areas and capture expansive views of the landscape steeped in myths and historical sites dotted across the terrain.

Lhuentse Town is well known for textile production, a significant aspect of Bhutanese culture. Weavers use looms to craft garments of clothing distributed across Bhutan. The scheme seeks to preserve the tradition of Bhutanese textile production, and create more visibility outside the nation.

WINDING ROAD CREATES ACCESS POINT

GANGZUR VILLAGE

CHORTEN

LHUENTSE DZONG (CIVIC)

KURU CHHU RIVER

The site sits at a high altitude of approximately 2190m (7185ft). An existing road creates an access point, and an overlooking position across the town.

Lhuentse School of Crafts

DESIGN PROPOSAL

Using the research into Kath Khuni construction as a schematic basis, the proposal speculates on the possibilities of this material hybrid in the remote context of Lhuentse in eastern Bhutan, a nation caught between the push of modernisation and the maintenance of its unique cultural heritage. Through the introduction of a crafts based, higher educational programme, the scheme seeks to consolidate Lhuentse’s textiles industry with a hybrid user group of foreign exchange students and native craftspeople. Programmatically, the campus explores three primary Bhutanese crafts including carpentry, textiles and painting, and reconsiders traditional modes of sleeping and dining, outside of a central courtyard.

Carpentry Workshop Painting WorkshopDormitories

Textiles WorkshopDining/AuditoriumCentral Courtyard

Grey shows the main entrance and security zones, behaving as a public information point to the campus. hierarchy.

Carpentry Workshop

01.02.

Taught by Bhutanese master craftsmen known as Zo Chen/ Zo Wo, students learn the intricate and ornate techniques of Bhutanese Shingzo (carpentry), using a mix of both traditional and contemporary machines including lathes, chisels, hammers and bandsaws.

Central Courtyard

Behaving as the main point of contact between students and staff, the central courtyard acts as a combined outdoor workspace/exhibition space. A large central Buddha sculpture consolidates the nation’s Buddhist symbolism whilst exhibiting its real time construction process onlookers.

Dining/Auditorium

A multipurpose large dining room/ auditorium creates a communal gathering space for Bhutanese people and foreign students. Locally sourced foods, sitting and eating practices engages existing and historic local practices.

Painting Workshop

03.04. 05.06.

Master painters known as Lharips teach students to paint murals and frescoes using traditional religious symbols, deities and icons, using a restricted palette of mainly blacks, reds and yellows.

Dormitories

Sixteen rooms with 1, 2, 4 and 8-bed provisions for staff and students across two stories provide 86 beds for relaxation and socialising, creating the same sense of enclosure and domesticity as Bhutanese dwellings.

Textiles Workshop

Using rich vibrant colours, intricate dyeing, and manual weaving techniques, traditional looms are used to craft textiles, acting as a continuation of one Bhutan’s oldest crafts.

Figure 2.08A

Using three of Bhutan’s thirteen traditional arts and crafts as a programmatic framework (shown above) - carpentry, painting and weaving create the most global reach, creating a strong transferable skillset for foreign students to practice following completion of their respective courses. The building’s campus typology creates a series of courtyards that interweave between workshop spaces, engaging the local context, and morphologically, create a visual hierarchy of rectilinear, outwardly pixelating volumes. Each of these conditions contribute to a hybrid cultural exchange between Bhutan and the rest of the world.

Using foreign student fees as a source of income for the campus and Bhutan, the scheme speculates on Bhutan becoming a less insular nation through education, rather than tourism, to prevent their fear of becoming over-commercialised. This invites foreign students to engage more closely and strongly with the culture.

An adaptation of Kath Khuni construction creates a cross-cultural structural strategy for the building, engaging influences from both the western and eastern Himalayas.

Figure 2.08B

Deliveries & Sourcing

PLANNING STRATEGY

The building’s main premise relies on an initial startup meeting between foreign and local architect planners and the Bhutanese government. Bhutan’s Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs oversees 20 dzongkhags (local governments) across Bhutan, of which the campus sits in the dzongkhag of Lhuentse. This local government will behave as the review board and will appoint the project team, alongside the foreign architect/planners. They will also fund the project. Following the building’s completion, fees will be charged to foreign students to attend courses at the school, allowing the project to pay itself off and increase returns for Lhuentse’s dzongkhag. This aims to generate increased capital for the town and district, to stimulate improved social and economic welfare whilst speculating on the impact of foreign capital for the relatively insular nation of Bhutan.

Project Delivery Overview

Approval of government fund by Bhutan’s Ministry of Education to develop infrastructure to benefit the community & economy.

Government Funding

The Kingdom of Bhutan is divided into 20 districts, known as Dzongkhags (borders shown below). The campus sits in the Dzongkhag of Lhuentse (or Lhuentse District). As one of the least developed districts in Bhutan, the scheme seeks local funding from the Dzongkhag to create increased footfall, and propel infrastructure including electricity, roads and gas stations, for the benefit of over 2000 households in the district.

Building Compliance

Bhutan Building Rules

Bhutan Five Year Plan

Bhutan’s Department of Urban Development & Housing sets out a series of requirements during the planning and submission stages for construction projects in Bhutan. This document is known as Bhutan Building Rules (an earlier version dated to 2002 is shown above). The campus aims to follow the document’s guidance on planning permission, change of building use, providing coverage for parking areas, and a suitable architectural design.

Phase 1 - Preparation & Briefing

- Establish project team & define brief

- Start up meeting & design team appointed

- Costs estimated

- Project coordination

- Client review

Phase 2 - Concept Design

- Concept design delivery & production

- Concept design deliverables issued

- Material selection & sourcing identified

- Site survey

- Lhuentse Dzongkhag consultation

- Scale prototyping

- Finalise brief

- Consultants & architect appointed

Phase 3 - Design Development

- Construction Manager appointed

- Planning application submitted

- Initial costing

- Quantity surveyor

Phase 4 - Technical Design

- Tender packages submitted

- BIM Model

- Facade Mock-up

Phase 5 - Final Project Approval

- Planning submission to Dzongkhag administration

- Planning Approval

Phase 6 - Manufacturing & Construction

- Material quantity determined

- Liaison with local parks and supply routes created

- Materials procured and delivered

- Pre-fabricated elements delivered

- On-site fabrication and assembly

- Internal fit-out

Phase 7 - Handover & Use

- Building construction complete

- Building opened to staff and students

- Building use and maintenance begins

Planning Approval following building compliance with Bhutan Building Rules set by Department of Urban Development & Housing.

Liaison with Department of Forest and Park Services for safe logging and delivery of materials, outside of conservation areas.

Temporary accommodation provides housing for local labour force and foreign students during initial construction phase.

Beginning in 1961, Bhutan’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2018-2023) aims to free the nation from social and economic disruption through an emphasis on Gross National Happiness (GNH), which the scheme considers.

Timber Sourcing

Bhutan’s Department of Forests and Park Services conserve and manage Bhutan’s forestry resources. The department has used several pieces of policy and legislation to control the use of forest land for construction. Planting trees whenever one is cut down ensures that a minimum of 60% of the nation remains covered by forest, contributing to Bhutan’s carbon negativity. Lhuentse District contains a rich resource of forests, which also ensures a renewable source of energy for future generations.

Protected Areas of Lhuentse District

Protected Biological Corridors

Protected ParksNational Parks

Site Location

Bhutan’s Department of Forests and Park Services

Following completion of building construction, the campus is opened to staff and students. Building use and maintenance begins. 2025 SJNMOFDAA

User Group

Initially funded by the Bhutanese government to realise the project, the campus becomes a civic destination for incoming students, who are taught by expert local craftspeople. This reframes the overly spiritualised lens of the Himalayas, and creates a productive educational programme for the benefit of both the local people and foreign students.

On the right diagram, shown in light grey are parks in Lhuentse District including Wangchuk Centennial Park (1) in the north and Thrumshingla National Park (2) in the south. Each of these parks are connected by protected parks and protected biological corridors which allow the opportunity to locally source wood for the campus. This may then be transferred to a local factory prior to delivery to site (illustrated right). This would follow government guidance.

Widened Higher Education

The campus consolidates Bhutan’s position in a constantly modernising world, by introducing a crafts based educational programme that combines contemporary and traditional methods of carpentry, textiles and weaving:

The scheme relies on income from foreign exchange students to break even and make profit for the scheme’s construction, opening Bhutan to foreign relations for the relatively insular nation, whilst expressing the nation’s Buddhist religion and values.

A consortium of existing institutions of higher education in Bhutan, many of which fall under the umbrella of the Royal University of Bhutan (founded by Royal Decree) are largely used by Bhutanese students. Most offer courses based in engineering, sciences, law and business. This invites the opportunity for the study of a creative discipline.

Falling under Royal Decree, LSC (Lhuentse School of Crafts) sits in eastern Bhutan (the majority of institutions are currently based in the west), opening up both social and economic benefits for the local community and government.

01. User 1 Bhutanese Craftspeople as Teachers

02. Client Bhutanese Government

03. User 2 Local & Foreign Exchange Students

Figure 2.09B

Figure 2.09C

Figure 2.09D

Figure 2.09E

Using the local government of Lhuentse (Dzongkhag) as guarantors for the project’s funding, the Royal University of Bhutan behaves as an umbrella organisation that funds the delivery of Lhuentse School of Crafts (which is later incorporated as an affiliate college of the university). The state acts as a guarantor for loan agreements (through its national bank) between the Royal University of Bhutan & India (Bhutan’s largest creditor) where the state borrows capital for the building’s construction, expecting the profits made to be greater than the interest payable. Loans are repaid via student fees paid to the Royal University of Bhutan and the contractor.

A design and build contract also offers more agency to local craftspeople, allowing them to be brought into the project at an earlier stage. A project manager is responsible for the coordination of foreign architect planners, consultants and local contractors (and craftspeople), assisting with drawings, site visits, surveys, budgeting and feasibility studies. This procurement method also allows construction to begin without a finalised design via mockups and material testing.

Fulfilling Bhutan’s Five-Year Plan

By sustaining public finance on an even level, and using a lean bureaucracy, the contract aims to use traditional social institutions to engage local people in the project’s planning and implementation.

Sustaining Carbon Negativity

As the only carbon negative nation in the world, the building’s use of local resources ensures the continued management of the nation’s forests and the renewable hydro-electric power sources.

Gross National Happiness

The building’s culture-specific programme fulfils Bhutan’s emphasis on the concept of Gross National Happiness (as opposed to Gross Domestic Product), giving equal importance to non-monetary aspects of personal well-being.

DESIGN & BUILD CONTRACT

A design and build contract provides both architect and contractor services. It ensures clear organisation, planning, communication and control at every stage of the delivery process. This aims to create a more efficient relationship between client and contractor, and use local contractors’ expertise during construction.

CLIENT & FUNDING

As shown on the previous page, a state owned consortium performs the client role on behalf of both Lhuentse Dzongkhag (local government) and the Bhutan Department of Higher Education. The completed building will be incorporated into the Royal University of Bhutan as an affiliate college, hence they also behave as a client. The project will be funded primarily by the Bhutanese government, with India’s banks behaving as creditors. The project aims to make a profit for Bhutan and its local government through student fees, charged at $2 800 per year for Bhutanese students (approximate based on existing fees for Bhutanese universities). Foreign students from nearby nations will be charged twice this figure, and those from further afield, based on a tier system, three times this figure. In comparison to UK universities, the fees will be considerably lower, whilst still aiming to generate a significant long-term profit. This intends to help boost Lhuentse and Bhutan’s social and economic welfare.

Local Government & Education

State financial backing throughout the project will ensure GNH is considered.

Local & Foreign Students

Public consultations will ensure local and foreign students can contribute to the building’s social and economic welfare.

Local Residents & General Public

Nearby residents and the Bhutanese public should be consulted throughout, with public consultations, contributing to the building’s civic identity.

PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM

To help coordinate information between different teams and consultants, Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be used throughout the design process, from the initial concept design phase through to construction and operation. Using a software like Revit, different simulations can be explored and tested, for the benefit of every team, to ensure the quick and efficient transfer of information.

Overall Contractor

Project Manager

Central BIM Model

Coordination of Information

Early

Iteration: CARPENTRY WORKSHOP

The carpentry workshop behaved as a key space to explore the development of structural and spatial strategies across the campus, as the design developed from low resolution massing studies to a higher resolution with increased detail.

Global Form Development 01

Linear arrangement with cascading levels.

Linear plan with main volumes surrounding central courtyard, with dining volume reoriented to create expansive views.

Dining space reoriented parallel to central circulation spine.

Main volumes contained in square space on perimeter of central courtyard with staggered exit extending from central spine.

As Option 4, except sleeping volume rotated 90 degrees to create staggered transition to dining space.

All volumes (excluding entrance) concentrated to square plan with circulation on perimeter of central courtyard, transitioning between submerged and above ground interstitial circulation.

As Option 6, except main volumes overhang at edges to create shaded reflection spaces below.

Secondary courtyard introduced between sleeping and dining volume, with diagonal staggering from top right to bottom left of image.

Fanning arrangement with courtyard spaces at corners and next to central courtyard.

Angled roofs with fanning arrangement, and scale of campus enlarged.

OPTION 10OPTION 14

Fanning arrangement with each volume rotated except for craft volume which remains parallel to original central axis. Introduction of staggered, rotated entrance lobby.

As Option 13, except staggered exit rotated and courtyard space introduced at corner of dining space and crafts volume.

OPTION 11OPTION 15

Linear arrangement with walls introduced to create enclosures and demarcate guided circulation routes.

Each volume arranged in cluster on perimeter of central courtyard at slight angle with double planar roofs, to create hidden interstitial spaces on approach.

OPTION 12OPTION 16

Linear/square arrangement with roofs angled from top right to bottom left of image to maximise views.

As Option 15, except extended entrance volume introduced and three planes for paving on perimeter of each volume.

Multipurpose Auditorium & Dining

Sleeping

Crafts & Education

RADIAL 1

Meditation & Spiritual Provision

Courtyards

Options of Interest

Crafts in rear with restricted light, creating introspective workspaces

RADIAL 2

Sleeping in rear creating dappered light from forest

Meditation space in forest

RADIAL

Public Information/ Entrance Lobby

Interstitial courtyards

Sleeping provision faces north for naturally low lux lighting

Meditation space in forest

Radially expanding craft spaces

Meditation space in forest

Volume height increases clockwise, drawing attention to central space

Design Iteration 01: Linear Cluster

Rear landscape creates facility for extracting resources.

DESIGN ITERATION 01

Early global form development studies suggested that linear and linear cluster arrangements were most successful in achieving efficient circulation, and a visually clear form, alongside the introduction of a central courtyard. Design Iteration 01 (shown opposite) develops the linear cluster massing on the previous page at a higher resolution with storeys and carved/ above ground interstitial circulation. It also tests the

use of a tail which directs users to a meditation space within the nearby forest. Although useful as a test, it appears visually inconsistent with the campus’ orthogonal arrangement. Hence, further design development aims to take this into account, focusing instead on a tight, orthogonal cluster arrangement, to achieve visual consistency and circulatory efficiency.

INTERSTITIAL CIRCULATION

As a further development of the spatial conditions explored in Design Iteration 01, the fragment below considers two volumes (similar to the ones conceived during the latter pages of ‘Initial Design Response’), in a non-linear arrangement. This intends to explore different above ground circulatory conditions, whilst framing the local terrain and harnessing the local climate.

Harnessing the Local Climate

Initial considerations towards a sustainable environmental strategy looked at the use of rainwater collection and harvesting, and sourcing produce from local vertical farms - a common feature of the Bhutanese landscape.

PRECEDENTS & TRANSFERABLE FEATURES

THE WALLED, TSINGPU YANGZHOU RETREAT, CHINA Neri & Hu

- Use of permeable walls

- Water features

- Non-invasive

- Prematurely old yet modern

- Reinventing ancient typology of walled gardens in China

Precedents

The overall form aims to incorporate east Asian, Chinese modernist influences with the historic Himalayan precedents initially explored to consolidate a hybrid, non-exclusive identity for hybrid user groups across the Himalayas and Asia, as well as abroad.

ALILA YANGSHUO HOTEL, CHINA

Vector Architects

- Mountainous backdrop, flat terrain, close to sea

- Retrofit of industrial mill - prematurely old, yet modern

- Proximity to roads, but still remote

- Typology: Reworked leisure, cluster arrangement

Figure 3.03AFigure 3.03B

Design Iteration 02: Volumetric Study

COMPACT CLUSTER ARRANGEMENT

As an adapted response to Design Iteration 01, Iteration 02 develops a cluster of several volumes outside of a central courtyard, each employing the characteristic inward facing roof form. The tail from Iteration 01 has been removed, with spaces for self-reflection sitting beneath workshop, dining and eating spaces. This arrangement in plan intends to create more efficient circulation with each major space sitting adjacent to the central courtyard, with woven paths sitting across separate planes to create surprise during circulation. Each of the volumes are also offset from the central courtyard, creating differentiation in scale and height to create a visual hierarchy for onlookers on approach. However, this iteration suggests that an entrance that inclines upwards would be more appropriate for building users, and an increase in scale would be more suitable for the building’s campus typology.

DEVELOPING ROOF FORM

Using the global form in Design Iteration 02 as a basis to further explore the campus’ roof, the below diagrammatic studies consider alternative roof forms that could be standardised across the campus. Each of the studies progress in scale, beginning with a cantilevered inward looking roof form, aiming to maximise floor area on upper levels, whilst retaining a smaller footprint on the ground floor. This allows an opportunity for the interplay of planes

on upper storeys, creating unconventional passages and walkways for building users. While the studies suggest that the inward facing roof pitch is most suitable for the campus due to ease of construction, its orthogonal form and its opportunity to harness light and the local climate, a fragment study of the carpentry workshop on pages 69-70 also considers the possibilities of a monopitch roof form.

Please see pages 69-70 for Carpentry Workshop fragment testing monopitch roof form

Design Drivers

ZONING

Programme on perimeter of central courtyard

A main central courtyard sits adjacent to the workshop, sleeping and dining spaces allowing an exchange of activity between the volumes. Highlighted in black are smaller scale courtyard spaces that are generated when the volumes intersect and are offset.

COURTYARDS

Shifting main volumes to create courtyard spaces

Shifting each of the main volumes inside of which the campus’ main programme exists, creates several outdoor and indoor courtyards on the ground floor for use by students and teachers.

CIRCULATION

Negative Space creates opportunity for interstitial circulation

The condition outside of the main volumes is occupied predominantly by circulation space, alongside provision for exhibitions, teaching and study.

CASCADING GROUND

Staggered roofs create clear horizontal datums in elevation whilst redirecting rainwater across campus.

INTERSTITIAL SPACE

Weaving submerged and above ground circulation

The introduction of upper storeys provides the opportunity to weave circulation between separate planes, allowing a new network of walkways and passages to develop. This creates elements of surprise while encouraging users to learn about different spaces across the campus.

INTERSECTING PLANES

INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE

A hybrid timber stone plinth merges with the landscape to enhance the visual hierarchy of the superstructure.

INTEGRATED PLINTH TIMBER SUPERSTRUCTURE

The dry stone timber plinth is integrated into the rocky landscape with a skeletal timber superstructure sitting above. A cantilever also creates an overhang for reflection spaces below.

Stone plinth

INTERSTITIAL SPATIAL CONDITIONS

The matrix displays several conditions that may contribute to the overall experience of circulation across the campus. Each may be incorporated into either interior or exterior spaces.

VERTICAL

Volumetric Studies: Carved Earth

ABSTRACTING LOCAL BHUTANESE ARCHITECTURE

Using the compact nature of Bhutanese dwellings as reference, the above studies combine the campus’ programme with planes across different axes to mimic different aspects of Bhutanese architecture. By abstracting conditions such as passages, chortens, gardens, dining and forests, the volumetric studies manipulate light to create spaces for reflection, study and activity. They each behave as a precedent for the development of bespoke internal environments that may be achieved across the campus.

Carpentry Workshop Fragment

CONSOLIDATED DESIGN RESPONSE

As a development of the earlier massing studies, the key design concepts and the monopitched roof form considered earlier, the carpentry workshop fragment shown right consolidates each of these features while exploring the application and adaptation of Kath Khuni at a higher design resolution.

LOW TECH METHODOLOGY

Using a combination of locally available wood and dry stone, the construction process aims to be sustainable by preventing excessive material use and encouraging local labour.

EARLY MASSING ITERATION

STRUCTURAL STRATEGY: KATH KHUNI CONSTRUCTION KEY POIN

The fragment adapts Aukta House’s characteristic construction technique of layered bands of wood and stone topped off by slate roofs. Its use across large darbargadhs and intricate temples, to smaller dwellings is distinctive in silhouette.

Kath Khuni plinths are constructed entirely of stone. Layers of stone and woods are then constructed with a double skin and its internal cavity is filled with rubble. External and internal skins are held together by cross-braces.

The heavy stone base carries the lighter wooden structure at upper levels. No mortar is used between the courses and the shear weight of dry masonry holds it down in place.

ZONING Programme on perimeter of central courtyard

The central courtyard creates a flat plane into which a sunken library, classroom and meditation space are located. The large cantilevered and pitched hybrid volumes sit on the perimeter of the courtyard, adhering to an orthogonal general arrangement whilst concealing and revealing views.

PRIMARY STRUCTURE

Using a series of differ members that use the the members gradually at the upper levels to superstructure form. tertiary timber members interlock with stone to heating and cooling within space.

Figure 3.08A

STRUCTURE

differentiated timber the plinth as support, adually reduce in size create the plinth Secondary and members angle and to provide alternating within the workshop

FACADE TREATMENT

KEY PRECEDENT: AUKTA HOUSE, OLD JUBBAL

HEMP FABRIC Reduces solar gain & provides shade

WOVEN INTERNAL FABRIC

CASCADING CIRCULATION / CARVED GROUND

EARLY SITE PLAN: CARPENTRY WORKSHOP LOCATION

B.

Figure 3.08C

Main Courtyard:

CENTRAL BUDDHA SCULPTURE

An isometric view of the campus’ main central courtyard displays a snapshot of the intersecting programme of workshops, teaching and exhibition spaces, and the temporary scaffolding used to construct the central Buddha sculpture. The Buddha’s head sits slightly above the void framed by the overlapping roofs, creating the illusion of a halo from a distance. This aims to give the campus a stronger spiritual presence in Lhuentse Town.

Building Genesis

Central Courtyard

The site’s boundary is offset from a large central courtyard that serves several functions as the main gathering space, outdoor workspace and exhibition space - accessible via any volume across the campus.

Perimeter Programme

The building’s programme of workshops, dining, sleeping and public information pixelate outwards from the central courtyard, at varied widths and lengths, to direct and frame views into the central courtyard, and the outside.

Cascading Ground

The ground floor is sunken into the earth creating a hierarchy between programmes, with the entrance and security at the lowest floor height, and workshops/dining/sleeping closest to the inclined terrain.

Extruded Mass

The central mass holds the three crafts’ workshop spaces, with dining, sleeping and the entrance sitting on the periphery. This hierarchy is emphasised by the difference in size between each volume.

Primary Form & Associated Programme

The previous massing is divided further into volumes of differing heights and scales, while introducing each to their respective programme. The massing targets a hierarchy that is responsive to the environment.

03. 05. 07. 09.

Roofscape

The scheme introduces an interplay of inward facing roofs that sit on top of each volume. Each of the roofs intersect one another, and use a central void to frame the interior of each space, creating a mixture of untempered and controlled internal environments.

Rectilinear Footprint

The campus uses the same visual language derived from Section 1.16/1.18, allowing for an overlap of cantilevered volumes, hence the use of an intersecting rectilinear footprint for each volume.

Framing the Central Courtyard

The building’s large Buddha sculpture creates a religious and symbolic centrepiece across the campus, and will be framed through a void subtracted from the central volume.

Introduction of Storeys

Each volume is refined further, introducing floors of differing heights to each space, allowing circular, staggered circulation between workshop spaces. Subtracting volumes allows natural light to enter at different angles.

Final Proposal

The majority of roofs use a slight angle to redirect and redistribute any incoming flows or rainwater and snow, creating a low-tech architecture that simultaneously celebrates and controls the extreme environment in which it sits.

Massing Strategy

Roofscape

The thin, inward facing roof planes are constructed from slate roof tiles, similar to the initial precedent study of Aukta House. This helps to catch snow and rain, preventing runoff, and helping to redirect snow and rain for greywater use via channels across the building.

Workshop Spaces

The carpentry, painting and textiles workshop spaces frame the central courtyard which includes the large Buddha sculpture. Each are connected via stairs, walkways and lifts. The carpentry volume is the tallest, with the textiles and painting workshops each divided into two for smaller scale class and group learning exercises. Upper storeys are used predominantly as classrooms with the ground floor used as provision for practical exercises. The central courtyard also functions as a large outdoor workshop space that can be shared by all three crafts’ volumes.

Periphery Programme

The dual purpose dining/auditorium volume, shared student and staff dormitories, entrance and security sit on the perimeter of the workshop spaces. This arrangement intends to create a pixelated effect that expands outwards and creates a visual hierarchy denoting the importance of the workshop spaces in the centre with amenities on the perimeter. While each of the workshop spaces are connected via walkways and a circular circulation route, the periphery programme sit as independent volumes, creating a separation and hierarchy between work and amenity.

Central Courtyard

While the central courtyard is enclosed by the large volumes, the perimeter of the cascading ground floor is integrated with the landscape to provide multiple exit routes, as well as a prominent public entrance at the fore of the campus. The rear of the campus engages closely with an inclined terrain, providing a more secluded zone for servicing provision.

Key

Carpentry Workshop

Textiles Workshop

Painting Workshop

Dining/Auditorium

Dormitories

Entrance

Security

Walkways & Circulation

Servicing

Central Courtyard

Roofscape

Roof

The intersecting roof planes use central voids to frame spaces, allowing natural light to flush into the interior. This allows the climate to be harnessed as a navigation mechanism across the campus.

Third Floor

The carpentry workshop is the only volume with a third storey, and significantly acts as a vantage point across the campus and landscape, creating a reward for public/staff circulating to this level.

Second Floor

The shared public, student and staff circulation route extends to the second storey, of which each of the workshop spaces are connected. Much like the ground floor, the second floor’s generous spatial provision allows for high occupancy rates. The dormitories are divided by a separate access route.

Ground & First Floor

Public and staff circulate across the campus through a largely circular route (dictated by the prominence of the central courtyard) including the use of lifts for disabled access. The open nature of the campus creates several service access points, exit routes and good escape routes in the event of a fire.

Section 4.04

Overall Structural Strategy

STRUCTURAL OVERVIEW

This following pages primarily examine the construction of the carpentry workshop, roof, dormitory, central courtyard, and the adaptation of Kath Khuni through the introduction of vertical glulaminated members and a dry stone/timber composite, used both structurally, and as infill. The chapter also gives an overview of the building’s structural integrity and its use of concrete foundations in combination with glulam and dry stone. This resists loads from water and the climate, contributing to a system that is easy to assemble by local labour.

GLULAM

The building explores the transition from tool age to machine age timber in a remote location, and the appropriate material choice.

DORM

STUDY

A study of one of the dormitory zone’s rooms explores the low-tech wall build up of 300mm sheep wool insulation and locally sourced 300mm x 100mm deodar wood floor beams, roof purlins and a pine finished ceiling.

Roof Hierarchy

Glulam rafters and purlins improve structural efficiency, while a waterproof membrane ensures good ventilation. Slate tiles can be assembled by hand.

FOUNDATION AND DRY STONE /TIMBER COMPOSITE

Concrete foundations with integrated service pipes create a dry dock for the redistribution of greywater around the building (shown left). The concrete plinths are embedded with timber reinforcement underground to resist overhead loads when braced laterally. Later, locally sourced debris, dry stone and rubble are used as infill, increasing rigidity for the facade (shown above), while exercising an adaptation of Kath Khuni.

MAINTENANCE

The central courtyard houses a large Buddha sculpture which is constructed by staff and students alongside a demountable bamboo/ timber scaffolding system, creating a practical exchange between crafts teachers and students.

ROOF CONSTRUCTION

4.11

4.09

PRIMARY GLULAM

STRUCTURE

The use of a standardised structural fragment that is repeated across the building allows for ease of construction and helps establish a clear visual hierarchy prior to the addition of secondary and tertiary elements.

Multipurpose

Dining Hall & Auditorium

Local craftspeople and monks behave as teachers across the campus (shown right) while students are taught both tool age and new carpentry techniques. The workshop’s constructional hierarchy is explored, which opens up to an outdoor exhibition space and workspace.

4.10

4.06

4.12

4.15

4.13

Entrance and Approach

Painting Workshops

Security

Main Entrance

Textiles Workshop

Textiles Workshop

Central Courtyard

Carpentry Workshop

Staff & Student Dormitories

CARPENTRY WORKSHOP

CARPENTRY WORKSHOP MECHANISMS

Excavation & Foundation

The site’s geology formation reduces the risk of moisture exposure to foundations, while reinforced concrete slabs create an additional layer of protection. The proposal considered existing foundations (shown right) as precedent.

CARPENTRY WORKSHOP FRAGMENT

The use of concrete as a foundation in the carpentry workshop and across the entire building protects the primary glulaminated timber columns from moisture build up. Using a 3m x 3m structural grid, the timber/concrete composite allows loads to transfer to the ground and minimizes concrete usage for increased efficiency.

The existing site has some vegetation which should be preserved during the excavation and construction process. It also sits in a zone prone to earthquakes, located near to a series of flatlying overthrust plates (a reverse fault in which rocks on the upper surface move over the rocks on the lower surface). This creates various layers of sediment, rock and minerals.

1. Site geology is sampled and tested.

2. Site is excavated to create a flat terrain.

3. Excavated earth is used for fill adopting cut and fill approach.

NATURE CONSERVATION

During the excavation process, sediment and topsoil extracted from the site can be solidified and used in stepped areas of the building as a fill, to minimize construction waste and protect the site’s vegetation.

DRY CONNECTION

Lateral beams are inserted into deodar wood columns with wedges to increase stiffness. Alongside this, dry stone and rubble is infilled vertically.

WET CONNECTION

Timber formwork is constructed for the plinth, after which concrete is poured in-situ, and the formwork is removed.

Pre-fabricated glulam columns are then inserted into the concrete foundation using timber reinforcement.

Dry Stone/Timber Composite

PRECAST CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB

INTEGRATED APPROACH

CARPENTRY WORKSHOP SECTION

Demonstrating the implementation of each of the above systems, the carpentry workshop uses a hybrid constructional hierarchy of glulam, dry stone and concrete. Timber reinforcement is slotted into the ground floor concrete foundations.

Key Project Factors

A. Plinth Superstructure

B. Cantilevered Stack

C. Cascading Ground

A.

B.

C.

Carpentry Workshop Fragment

Figure 4.06A

Tool Age to Machine Age Timber

USING ENGINEERED WOOD TO CREATE A HYBRIDISED SYSTEM

By exploiting the different methods of sawing timber to harness the grain direction for structural capacity, a hybrid system can be introduced to increase an integrated structure’s strength and durability.

SAWING VARIATIONS

True Radial Cut Through and Through Cut or Crown Cut

Plain Sawn

Cut for Board and Structural Timber

Quarter SawnBillet Sawn Cut to Maximise Radial Faces

HYBRIDISED MEMBER CREATION FOLLOWING STRESS FRACTURES/CRACKS IN WOOD

The above set of diagrams takes a conceptual approach to creating a hybridised member made of timber (light grey) and infill (dark grey). The wooden member is cut along naturally occuring cracks, creating an amorphic set of pieces, which are later infilled with timber reinforcement.

ENGINEERED WOOD PROCESS

ENGINEERED WOOD

Figure 4.07A

Figure 4.07B

GLUE LAMINATION PRODUCTION PROCESS

Glue laminated timber is a strong, renewable and energy efficient engineered timber that has varied uses in building construction, as well as being weather and fire resistant and easy to install making it suitable for different climates and extreme terrains. Different grain direction allows functionality in compression and tension.

STEP 01

STEP 05

STEP 09

STEP 02

STEP 06

STEP 10

STEP 03

STEP 07

STEP 11

STEP 04

STEP 08

STEP 12

Raw material collected from tree

Material graded according to strength

Bonding under pressure

Raw material sawmilled and laminated into boards.

Finger jointing

Sawdust collected for energy recovery and Glulam product planed

Chips, sawdust and pellets waste collected for energy recovery

Laminate planed and sawdust collected for energy recovery

Pressurised gluing of layered slats

Cut material dried

Glue application Packaging for distribution

Figure 4.08A

Primary Glulam Structure

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

The corner of the stacked column and cantilevered elements experience the most force. The distribution of forces also denotes a path of loads throughout the structure.

PRIMARY STRUCTURE

The use of a standardised structural fragment allows the repetition of the module across the building, creating both ease of construction and project delivery. The central tapered glulam column uses vertical gaps to reduce weight and helps develop a structural principle that expresses a clear visual hierarchy.

The primary glulam timber structure is assembled on site, using joinery that has been adapted from research into Dhajji Dewari construction. Corner pieces ensure the structure acts like a box during an earthquake and behave as locations for strategic strengthening.

CENTRAL COLUMN

Using a concrete foundation, the glulam’s lamellae are shaped to slot into place to create stiff connections. The increased interface also prevents the joint from

A. Structure Base Joint

B. Column to Corner to Beam

Joinery

A.

B.

C.

Figure 4.09A

ROOF TO COLUMN

The use of dowels that are concealed within the glulam frame help strengthen the structure. The use of a peg-like shape also introduces a ledge to mobilise full beam shear capacity, whilst allowing the column to have reduced tension capacity. The corner joint adapts Kath Khuni and Dhajji Dewari, enabling the system to achieve longer spans.

STANDARDISED COMPONENTS

A set of standardised components create ease of delivery and assembly. Each are categorised into

columns, beams, concrete foundations, precast concrete floor slabs and roof purlins.

Precast Concrete Floor Slab Key Detail

PRECEDENT STUDY

Kengo Kuma Architects’ Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum provides a useful precedent for an east Asian stacking system which uses a series of perpendicular cantilevered blocks, transferring load towards a single pier.

Structural Testing Loads Supports

JOINT DEVELOPMENT

Each of the lamellae within the glulam frame create more flexibility for the spans, along with integrated dowels and in some areas, timber reinforcement, creating additional stiffening for connections. The use of glulam also helps the elements to counteract cross-directional forces, creating rigid joints, while also creating extra movement and transferring vertical loads across the structure.

Precedent: Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum

D. Corner Joint

Figure 4.09B

Section 4.10

Hybrid Constructional Hierarchy

Native User & Toolkit

CARPENTRY WORKSHOP

Alongside the painting and textiles workshops, the carpentry workshop serves as the largest facility housing machinery, classrooms, and amenities including showers and food. The right drawing explores the use of the duplicated glulam structure repeated across the volume and the exterior ground which becomes a part of the workshop.

Structural Hierarchy

CONCEALED SERVICING

An extract of a student shown sanding planks of timber displays the use of the overhead extract and intake to limit the build up of sand debris. It is concealed in the overhead ceiling between the precast concrete floor slab and the Himalayan Pine finished ceiling. Underground pipes distribute water for sanitation across the building.

Carpentry Workshop

Figure 4.10B

Dry Stone/Timber Facade

HYBRID VISUAL IDENTITY

01 _ East Asian and South Asian influenced architectural identity

02 _ Hybrid users comprised of local craftspeople and foreign students

03 _ Dry stone and timber material hybrid

CASCADING GROUND

Initial studies for the ground looked at the reuse of removed earth by solidifying the mixture into rammed earth (shown above in red). A series of cascading levels looks at landscape integration, and the creation of pockets where channels of water can delineate thresholds between volumes, and direct users around the campus. The filleted edges are used at the edge of the carpentry workshop to offset its rectilinear shape.

Carpentry Workshop Site Plan

Workshop

Figure 4.10C

Roof Construction

Himalayan Pine finished Ceiling Insulation Infill

Key Section

Primary Glulam Rafters

Moisture and Water Membrane

ROOF BUILD UP

The use of triangular slate roof tiles references the use of Himalayan roof construction identified in Kath Khuni dwellings. The building adapts the system with additional infill layers to create stronger thermal integrity, while the inward facing pitch allows for cooler ventilation and the absorption of heat during summer. The roof tiles may also be assembled incrementally by local labour, in a participatory group exercise.

PROPOSED ROOF TILE ASSEMBLY

A. Typical build up with infill layers.

B. Slate tiles are cut into triangular shapes and nailed at a pitch with an overhang to allow snow runoff.

C. The slate tiles are fixed with an overhanging eave.

D. The tiles are assembled by hand using local labour.

Secondary Roof Rafters

Timber Roof Purlins

Slate Roof Tiles

Thermal Mass

Figure 4.11A

Roof Hierarchy

Key Roof Structural Principles

ROOF PITCH

The slight angle of the roof allows for water redirection and reuse, and when snowing, the tiles can catch the condensing snow, and channel it into ground floor drainage.

SERVICE CEILING

Due to the extreme climate of the site, the building requires a concealed arrangement of service pipes, exhausts and utilities. An extra build up of dry stone/timber creates an additional thermal barrier to the exterior whilst a cavity tray similar to the Halley VI Research Station directs servicing overhead. This intends to create a safe work environment.

Branching outwards from the central courtyard, the inward facing roofs are differentiated by four different heights and decreasing sizes, creating a clear visual hierarchy.

GUTTER & DRAINAGE CHANNEL

Rainwater is collected via a gutter on the eave of the roof, which is directed downwards via gaps in the vertical glulam columns towards a channel on the ground floor (shown below left). This water can then be distributed across the ground floor of the building via the integrated service pipes of the dry dock system (for use as greywater in toilets and nearby planting).

ROOFLIGHTS

A combination of rooflight windows and shutters allow the internal control of solar gain and natural ventilation.

Construction Sequence

Figure

Figure 4.12B

Figure 4.12D

Figure 4.12C

30mm Deodar wood cladding Damp proof membrane 300mm sheeps wool insulation & Timber studwork 15mm Himalayan Pine cladding

Dorm Detail Study

DORM STUDY SPACE

The left drawing displays an extract of the workspace in one of the dorm rooms, used by one member of staff. Although the rooms vary in size, larger provision is made on the upper storey for staff members, to accommodate their personal belongings and create privacy.

Study Space Sectional Detail

Slate roof tiles pinned with nails

Himalayan Pine soffit

Deodar wood vertical cladding

Himalayan Pine louvre window opening

300mm rigid foam sheeps wool

insulation

Zinc flashing drainage

150mm x 100mm / 300mm x 100mm

Deodar wood roof purlins

300mm x 100mm Deodar wood floor

beams

Internal Poplar plank floor decking

1-Bed Staff Dorm Room

Section 4.14

Central Courtyard Detail Study

CENTRAL COURTYARD:

EXTERNAL

The long section below explores the combination of workspaces that filter into the main central courtyard, blurring the outdoor and indoor environments. Each of the volumes delineate a plinth, with upper storeys extending and integrating into one another to provide both shading for lower spaces and a frame for the central Buddha sculpture, which behaves as a symbol of knowledge. KEY

Using timber and bamboo, the central Buddha sculpture is constructed alongside a simple scaffolding system to accommodate all user groups.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the temporary mechanisms employed in the scaffolding for the central Buddha sculpture. Due to its scale, the scaffolding aims to combine a timber support system with bamboo to ensure the sculpture remains rigid and upright during its construction. A series of bespoke features ensure the safety of staff and students during its construction, as well as an easy assembly and disassembly process. A suspension system allows easier movement of tools and machinery during construction.

Scaffolding Strategy

Maintenance Walkway - A timber decked walkway accommodates maintenance and head clearance.

Ladders - Ladders can be reconfigured for alternative uses for repair and access.

Pulley System - The pulleys of the suspension system allow the safe lowering of tools and machinery.

Extendable Seating - To create a more comfortable work space, seats can be extended and retracted.

CENTRAL COURTYARD SCULPTURE MAINTENANCE

OUTDOOR WORKSHOPTEXTILES WORKSHOPTEXTILES OUTDOOR WORKSHOP

A. Standard Vertical Members - Similar to a Vierendeel Truss, vertical members are positioned where forces apply.

B. Adaptation - A cut and fill approach adapts member height.

C. Layering - Additional storeys create lengthened members.

1. Floor to ceiling height established

2. Overhead services implemented

3. Forces and moment connections

4. Overhang creates shading device

B.

Figure 4.14C

Figure 4.14D

Section 4.15

Mechanisms of the Carpentry Workshop

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Due to the use of both heavy and light machinery, ensuring the health and safety of both students and staff is very important. In accordance with local guidance, the carpentry workshop aims to provide safe equipment, storage and handling of machinery, and a flexible working environment, with adherence to the requirements of certain tool and power resources.

Workshop Machinery

Potential hazards include: Flying work pieces Traps in belt drive Sparks in metal work Burns

FIRE SAFETY & CONTROL

The use of linings, and the identification of unprotected wall areas allows the control of fire spread in the workshop.

PHASING

01. Excavation

Alongside the use of poured concrete, the excavation process uses heli-piles with “caps” to create less impact on the site’s soil.

02.

Cut and Fill

The removal of earth aims to roughly match the amount needed for the “fill”, to help minimize the amount of construction labour.

03. Primary Structure

The assembly of vertical glulam members slotted in concrete studs allows the installation of plumbing, wiring & services within cavities.

INTERNAL OPENINGS

Different perforations of dry stone in combination with concrete and timber create varied internal conditions.

Composite Truss

Cantilever - A standard member uses tension on the top surface and compression on the bottom.

Truss - A Vierendeel truss does the opposite, with tension on the bottom and compression on the top.

Combined System - The use of an adapted Vierendeel truss with a cantilevered edge creates a compressive upper layer combined with a tensile bottom layer, to help consolidate both structural systems.

Existing Composite Slab - The composite truss adapts the partially composite (top two), and fully composite slab (bottom two).

04. Roof Tiles

Slate roof tiles are installed at angles to allow for snow runoff that can later be reused and distributed across the building via drainage.

Table SawLatheDisc sanderBandsaw

Figure 4.15A

Figure 4.15B

Figure 4.15C

Figure 4.15F

Figure 4.15G

Figure 4.15E

Figure 4.15D

Lhuentse Climate Data

The charts show a meteorological simulation of Lhuentse’s weather. The data shows that high levels of precipitation, particularly in July, follow seasonal effects such as the monsoon climate in India. High temperatures reach above 15oC, and correlate with the monsoon season, as suggested in the graphs. The wind speed also reaches high levels due to the Tibetan Plateau, where the monsoon season causes strong winds between December to April, and calmer winds between June and October.

Figure 5.00A

5.01 _ Overall Environmental Strategy

Carpentry Workshop

HARNESSING RAINWATER AND SNOW

The abundance of snow and rainfall in Lhuentse’s local climate creates an opportunity to harness the weather to reduce thermal costs. The inward facing roof form harnesses solar gain and prevailing wind driven precipitation, collecting rainwater via fixed slate tiles and a harvesting system. The deep dry stone/timber walls create a thick cavity and thermal barrier, behaving as an envelope to the exterior.

Slate Roof Tiles

Assembled manually, slate tiles create a thermal barrier to the building, as well as redirecting water and snow runoff to the rainwater harvesting tanks.

Carpentry Workshop Roof Plan Rainfall Direction

The inward facing roof volumes each redirect water to a harvesting tank, whilst also allowing users to open rooflights.

Rainwater Collection

The tile and gradient of the roof pitch helps to move water at a consistent speed and quantity. The overlapping, triangulated slate tiles create cavities in which snow can collect to prevent its excessive build up.

The pixelated roof and voids increase solar exposure to workshop spaces.

The foundations and reinforced concrete ground floor create a flood defence to each volume.

Snow/rainwater is dispensed into rainwater harvesting tanks for distribution around building. Inward facing roof pitch channels rainwater and snow into gutter which is filtered into rainwater harvesting tank for redistribution across building. Glulam columns with central channels direct rainwater into outdoor plant beds.

Photovoltaic Panels

Some areas of the roof are fixed with PV panels, orientated at different angles allowing the panels to capture sunlight at different times of the day, creating a self-driven and renewable energy approach.

Native Planting Treatment

The outflow of wastewater is used to treat native Bhutanese plants including blue poppies (endangered species) and

Bacteria helps translate the soil into compost which is used to nourish the plants.

Movement of Hot Water

Located in a different region of the same cross section neighbouring the plant bed, the detail below shows the structural build up required for the conservation of water. Rainwater and greywater from the plant bed is redirected to the ground source heat pump which is then pumped across the campus. The water temperature is regulated and then circulates hot air across the workshop through overhead vents during winter.

Building Life Cycle

Figure 5.01D

Figure 5.01A

Figure 5.01C

Figure 5.01F

Figure 5.01E

Rainwater Harvesting

Using a combination of (1) dry rubble, (2) silt and soil, and (3) fine stones, the rainwater tanks use layers of locally sourced waste material and topsoil to act as filters. The portable water tank also uses a filter to treat rainwater and snow. This lowtech approach aims to reference historic Bhutanese and Himalayan dwellings to prevent the overuse of high-tech water management solutions. The system capitalises on the local climate and the prevalence of the monsoon season to create a sustainable water harvesting strategy.

Biomass Stove and Boiler

Wastewood from the workshop is used as fuel for the biomass stove. The heat generated is used in the heat exchanger and transferred in the exhausts.

Wastewater Treatment System

The building aims to adopt a self-driven and renewable energy solution using low-tech and user operated technology. This aims to reduce carbon emissions and excessive energy use by generating energy for building occupants only.

Locally harvested food can be prepared and eaten communally, both indoors and outdoors.

Users become directly aware of their use and impact on the surrounding environment. This extends to the use of a small scale wastewater aerobic treatment unit (shown below) which treats wastewater efficiently without the need for conventional septic tanks.

Figure 5.01G

Energy Use

Energy Systems Overview

Lhuentse’s extreme climate and high altitude creates an opportunity to harvest rainwater and snow to provide renewable sources of energy. Existing hydroelectric dams nearby Lhuentse provide a reservoir where water can be stored during the night when solar power is no longer a viable source of energy. This intends to create a loop where PV panels on the roof collect sunlight, generating energy. This energy pumps water into the building from a reservoir and is released and returned to the reservoir during the evening, creating a renewable and cyclical process.

Savings by Design & Management

The largest users of power in the building come from workshop machinery, kitchen equipment and electric tools. Turning off machinery when not in use will help reduce energy demand in the building. The building also aims to supply nearby homes with energy in a shift towards a decentralised approach, free from the country’s national grid and the uncertainty it creates due to political changes in policy and regulation.

Using Local Resources

Annual rainfall in Bhutan is 1916 mm per year, while aggregating approximately 431mm of snow per month. Due to the high altitude, the site also experiences high winds.

Energy Challenges

Grid access is limited, encouraging the move towards a decentralised network. Temperatures remain low throughout the year, sometimes falling to -0.5oC.

Energy Solutions

Rooftop PV panels maximise solar gain; stale air is removed naturally through stack effect; need for artificial lighting is limited due to rooftop and window openings.

Occupation Energy Use

Average Bhutan household energy use is 12.3 kWh per day (4 people). Due to the absence of high energy machinery like electric heaters and dishwashers, the figure is estimated at: 70% x 12.3 kWh x (15/4) = 32.29 kWh / day

The building seeks to generate its own energy independent of the country’s national grid, and through the use of voltage, input energy into nearby households in Lhuentse.

Hydroelectric Power in Bhutan

Bhutan has several hydroelectric projects underway as part of the nation’s Five Year Plans. The left diagram shows current proposed projects in Lhuentse in proximity to the site and the right diagram shows current electricity production in the country.

Renewable Energy Cycle

Figure 5.02C

Figure 5.02D

Office spaces and classrooms on upper storeys sit at a slightly higher altitude and therefore use ceiling vents to achieve cross ventilation and to prevent the build up of air pressure whilst retaining a semi-enclosed envelope.

Natural Ventilation

Diagrammatic Short Section through Painting Workshop

Each of the volumes across campus including the painting workshop predominantly rely on natural and passive ventilation to circulate oxygen and fresh air through a stack effect. The 14m tall workshop creates a buoyancy-driven ventilation system in which a pressure gradient between a low external pressure and higher internal pressure allows air to circulate to the exterior. The ground floor in-situ concrete slabs also preserve the earth’s thermal mass, cooling air, whilst allowing additional airflow through the labyrinth’s underfloor cooling system.

Ventilation & Cooling

Ventilation Requirements

Skylights and rooflights provide the main source of escape for stale air throughout the campus. The amount of air moved through a stack effect can be calculated using the following equation:

Q = Cd x A ((2/rins) Rins x g x (hnpl - h) (Tins - Tout/Tins))

Q = Air flow rate through a large opening (m3/s)

Cd = Discharge coefficient (0.61 for large openings)

A = Opening area (m2)

Rins = Air density inside stack (kg/m3)

g = Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2)

hnpl = Height of neutral pressure level above datum (m)

h = Height of opening above datum (m)

Tout = Temperature of air outside stack (oK)

Painting Workshop:

Q = Cd x A ((2/rins) Rins x g x (hnpl - h) ((Tins - Tout)/Tins))

Q = 0.61 x 4.5 ((2/1.19) 1.19 x 9.81 x (7 - 14) ((300294)/300))

Q = 2.75 ((1.68) 11.67 x (-7) (0.02))

Q = 7.55 m3/s

This equates to 27 180 m3 an hour when the average outside temperature in Lhuentse is 20oC. When the outside temperature reduces further, this figure could reduce, hence the labyrinth supplements the additional circulation of airflow.

Underfloor heat exchangers adapt existing systems (shown right) to recycle water, taking it above the underground level, as a 6 metre height allows a sufficient amount of energy needed to distribute water around the building.

The underground thermal labyrinth beneath the textiles workshop and central courtyard behaves as a supplementary source of cooling through the building during the summer. It remains a low tech method that relies on the thermal mass of the basement to control internal temperatures. Heat exchangers (shown in section 5.01 & above) cool water which is distributed across the campus and help filter cool air.

Hot air contacts cool concrete which retains low temperature from previous day.

Heat exchangers pump cool water through campus, naturally filtering air. Mechanical air filters are therefore not required.

Figure

Section 5.04

Solar Gain Strategy

NATURAL LIGHTING

Lighting provides both illumination and solar gain across the campus. In addition to the use of PV panels, the use of demountable deodar wood beams create the flexibility for each workshop space to introduce a fabric insulation system (shown right) which enables both the thermal and experiential control of the interior. Moreover, the use of a stacked dry stone infill on the building’s outer skin allows perforations to create diffuse internal lighting whilst also ensuring a secure thermal barrier, reducing the need for thicker insulation in some areas.

DirectIllumination

The graph on the right shows the average monthly temperature in Lhuentse. The figures show that direct illumination can be achieved throughout the year in the building, through its south and east facing facades, restricting the need for artificial lighting to workshop spaces, studies, offices and underground levels. The building’s perforated stone skin also diffuses direct light to control excessive daylighting internally.

Daylight Penetration

The left diagrams show the direction of daylight penetration at 10am throughout different times of the year. March 21st shows low angle lighting hitting internal spaces, while the cantilever blocks some high angle light; on June 21st, high angle light is blocked by the cantilever, with rooflights illuminating the central void and on September 22nd, low angle light penetrates the building’s external skin, and passes into the internal spaces.

ThermalPerformance

The use of a concrete plinth alongside the building’s dry stone/glulam hybrid outer skin creates a thick wall which prevents cold bridge penetrations and aims to reduce unwanted air leakages, creating a secure vapour and thermal

The first floor of the carpentry workshop may be re-purposed as a textiles workspace. The above, demountable solar shading system feeds fabrics produced by students and staff through a pulley system, providing shading and preventing the interior from overheating. The fabric’s Bhutanese patterns become a secondary skin for the facade (shown right). This system re-radiates heat internally, alongside the roof PV panels (as shown in diagram A above).

ACOUSTICCONTROL

The central courtyard serves a dual function as an exhibition and outdoor workspace during the summer. The right drawings show the use of workspace infrastructure, both indoors and outdoors, to dampen sound from machinery. This is further reduced through the use of sound absorption materials (shown below) which minimise decibel levels, to ensure diffusion and reflection in particular does not affect communication in the courtyard’s open plan layout.

Reverberation time is the length of time required for sound to decay 60 decibels from its initial level. Indoor workspaces should have a reverberation time in the range of 0.4 to 0.6 seconds, but most workspaces have a time of 1 second or more, where:

This low reverberation time makes up for the noise generated by outdoor workspaces. As illustrated in the left diagrams, reflection increases reverberation times, diffusion spreads the sound but does not reduce it, and absorption reduces sound levels and reverberation times, which should be maximised.

Workspace as Acoustic Buffer

IN CONSTRUCTION

ISSUE

Ground water flooding.

Noise disturbance caused my machinery and diggers.

SOLUTION

Pumping and ensuring ground floor is sealed by waterproof and damp proof membrane.

Noise barriers and managed construction time during early off-peak hours.

IN OPERATION

Potential damage to earth and nearby small scale dwellings.

Temporary bamboo scaffolding and underpinning system.

ISSUE

Fire risk.

Noise disturbance to local residences.

Accidental clashes between cyclists, students and staff.

Building users falling over steps.

Slipping on wet surfaces.

Disabled access.

SOLUTION

Sprinkler system, external fire escape routes and fire resistant finishes.

Use of absorption panels in workspaces as acoustic buffers.

Clear circulation between staff, students and the public.

Use of slip resistant and durable surfaces.

Integrated drainage system for redistribution of rainwater in channels across campus.

Use of lifts in painting and carpentry workshops for disabled access across entire campus.

Figure 5.06A

Fire Strategy

FIRE CONTROL

The campus has multiple escape routes at every elevation, which extend to external assembly points during the event of a fire. The combined volumes each use an independent exit that transfer people from the inside to the outside, allowing for safer access to outdoor assembly. Alongside the use of stone in fire control, the building’s primary glulam structure is also treated with a fire resistant coating to reduce the rate at which fire could spread. Sprinklers, fire extinguishers, fire protected escape stairs, and shared emergency service site access and egress routes create safer fire control in workshops and across the campus. In addition, the building’s location at a high altitude and the limited oxygen reduces the risk of fire spread.

BeforeAfter

StructuralIntegrity

The diagram above illustrates the charring of typical glulam columns in the event of a fire. The columns are treated with fire resistant coating, insulating the wood from heat damage and maintaining the primary glulam frame’s structural integrity. The glulam timber achieves a fire resistance rating of two hours when exposed to fire.

2 hours + fire resistance

4 hours + resistance

Key

Designated Fire Assembly Point

Emergency Service Site Access

Fire Protected Escape Stair

Emergency Egress Route

Integrated Sprinkler System

Mounted Fire Extinguisher

Figure 5.07A

Carpentry Workshop Fragment

Treecoverage

Roadsandfootpaths

NB. Everycontourlinerepresents50m

0m50m150m200m

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/ Miller,DougJohn.“TheHarderkulmTransect.” Terra Incognita, Smout Allen, 2019.http://www.smoutallen.com/doug-miller-y5.Accessed7November2021 (NB.alsoreferencedinchapters3-6).

/ Morrison,Skye,andJayThakkar. Matra: Ways of Measuring Vernacular Built Forms of Himachal Pradesh. CEPTUniversity:SIDResearchCell,January2008.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307538994_Matra_Ways_of_Measuring_Vernacular_Built_Forms_of_Himachal_Pradesh.Accessed7 November2021.

/ Nagaraj,Pooja.“ModelExplorationofKath-khunihouse”.http://mansi-shah.weebly.com/student-work.html.Accessed7March2022.

/ Pandit,Sonakshi.“UrbanCa[r]talyser.” RIBA President’s Medals, 2020.http://www.presidentsmedals.com/Entry-52151.Accessed15November2021.

/ Reitsma,Manuela.“TheSecularHouse:AManualforPreservationandSeismicImprovementofVernacularStoneDwellingsinBhutan.” RIBA President’s Medals, 2021.http://www.presidentsmedals.com/Entry-17630.Accessed7February2022.

/ RetainingWallSolutions.“RetainingWallPriceComparison.”https://retainingwallsolutions.co.uk/retaining-wall-design/retaining-wall-price-comparison/. Accessed22November2021.

/ Sanadya,Megha,PallaviPrakash,ShivangiNishad,JatinKaur,andKomalSingh.“StudyofHimachalPradeshVernacular.” Slideshare, 3August,2018.https:// www.slideshare.net/MeghaSanadya/vernacular-architecture-of-himachal-pradesh-kath-kuni-architecture.Accessed25October2021.

/ Shah,Mansi,andJayThakkar.“TheHimalayanVernacular:Kath-KhuniArchitecture.” Sahapedia, 19September,2018.https://www.sahapedia.org/thehimalayan-vernacular-kath-khuni-architecture.Accessed25October2021.

/ BBCNews.“India-Chinadispute:Theborderrowexplainedin400words.” BBC News, 25January,2021.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-53062484. Accessed7February2022.

/ BhutanTravel.“Lhuentse.”https://www.bhutan.travel/destinations/lhuentse.Accessed7February2022.

/ BhutanTravel.“PoliticalSystem.”https://www.bhutan.travel/page/political-system.Accessed2May2022.

/ DrukAsia.“Bhutan13TraditionalArtsandCrafts(ZorigChusum).”24February,2021.https://www.drukasia.com/bhutan/bhutan-13-traditional-arts-andcrafts/.Accessed7March2022.

/ Goodman,Austen. Operation Klondike. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020.p.39.

/ GoogleMaps.“LhuentseMap.”https://www.google.com/maps?q=lhuentse+map&bih=722&biw=1536&hl=en-US&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwizwP zwseH4AhUPa8AKHVDgBD4Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw.Accessed7February2022.

/ Jakhar,Pratik.“IndiaandChinaracetobuildalongadisputedfrontier.” BBC News, 30July,2020.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-53171124. Accessed7February2022.

/ NITIAayog.“SustainableDevelopmentintheIndianHimalayanRegion.”Lastupdated05July,2022.https://www.niti.gov.in/sustainable-development-indianhimalayan-region#:~:text=The%20Indian%20Himalayan%20Region%20is,)%2C%20stretching%20across%202500%20km

/ Norris,Ben. Nordicloop Nyhavn. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2021.p.13,21-22,44-48(NB.alsoreferencedinchapters4-5).

/ NSBBhutan.“DzongkhagMap.” Royal Government of Bhutan, Dzongkhag Administration, Lhuentse, 2022.http://www.lhuentse.gov.bt/dzongkhag-map. Accessed22November2021.

Chapter 2

/ RajaguruIASAcademy.“InfrastructuredevelopmentintheHimalayanregion.”30August,2021.https://rajaguruiasacademy.com/p/infrastructuredevelopment-in-the-himalayan-region.Accessed7February2022.

/ RoyalGovernmentofBhutan. Bhutan Building Regulation 2018. DepartmentofHumanSettlement,MinistryofWorksandHumanSettlement,Royal GovernmentofBhutan,April2018.https://bhutan.eregulations.org/media/Final-Buidling-Regulation__2018.pdf.Accessed6June2022.

/ RoyalGovernmentofBhutan. Twelfth Five Year Plan, 2018-2023: Volume 1: Main Document. Thimphu,Bhutan:GrossNationalHappiness Commission,RoyalGovernmentofBhutan,2019.https://www.gnhc.gov.bt/en/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/TWELVE-FIVE-YEAR-WEBVERSION.pdf.Accessed27June2022.

/ Rubbra,Naomi. New Citizens’ House. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2018.p.9,22-32,34-35,38-39(NB.alsoreferencedinchapters4-5).

/ TheEconomist.“Fantasyfrontiers,Graphicdetail:Indian,PakistaniandChineseborderdisputes.” The Economist, 8February,2012.https://www. economist.com/graphic-detail/2012/02/08/fantasy-frontiers.Accessed22November2021.

/ Upadhyaya,Bhim,andRoyalGovernmentofBhutan. Bhutan Building Rules 2002. DepartmentofUrbanDevelopment&Housing,Ministryof Communications.pp.1-31.https://www.slideshare.net/BhimUpadhyaya/bhutan-buildingrules2002.Accessed27June2022.

/ Wikipedia.2022.“DepartmentofForestsandParkServicesofBhutan.” Wikimedia Foundation. Lastedited14April,2022.https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Department_of_Forests_and_Park_Services_of_Bhutan

/ Li,Shaokang. An Archive of the Ciudad Perdida. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020.pp.12-14.https://issuu.com/shaokangli13/docs/ compressed_portfolio_levi_shaokang_li_unnit18.Accessed7February2022(NB.alsoreferencedinchapter4).

/ Sen,Arinjoy(@arinjoy_sen).“PerspectivesonRadicalCommoning.AManifestoforanAlternativeModeofProduction.” Instagram, 16May,2020. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAPrlfYpbH6/.Accessed7March2022(NB.alsoreferencedinchapters4-5).

/ Carroll,Sean.“WhatisaTruss?” Degree Tutors, 5January,2019.https://www.degreetutors.com/what-is-a-truss/.Accessed2May2022(NB. alsoreferencedinchapter5).

/ Chard,Andrew. The Oasis: Salton Sea Elementary School. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2018.pp.32-43(NB.alsoreferencedinchapter5).

/ Fernandez,Paddy. Mitsubishi Mariculture. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2018.p.52,58-59.https://issuu.com/unit14/docs/_pf.Accessed7 March2022.

/ Gross,Holger. Glulam Handbook Volume 1. Stockholm,Sweden:FöreningenSverigesSkogsindustrier–TheSwedishForestIndustriesFederation, 2013.p.19.https://www.woodcampus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/GLU_HAND_VOLUME-1.pdf.Accessed8November2021.

/ Gunther,RG.“woodworkingmachinery.” Sketchup 3D Warehouse. https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/0f74fcf4-f447-41e2-80dd23714982cb11/woodworking-machinery?hl=es.Accessed2May2022.

/ James,Connor. Monastic Outpost. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020.pp.29-30.https://issuu.com/unit14/docs/y4_01_connor_james_1. Accessed7February2022.

/ Moss,Ryan. Hong Kong Parliament. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2021.p.23-25,28-32.

/ Pons-Poblet,JosepMaria.“TheVierendeelTruss:PastandPresentofanInnovativeTypology.” Arquitetura Revista 15,no.1,2019.pp.193-211. https://www.redalyc.org/journal/1936/193660402011/html/.Accessed6June2022.

/ Sen,Arinjoy. Productive Insurgence. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020.p.43,62-63.https://issuu.com/arinjoysen/docs/productive_ insurgence_asreduced2.Accessed7February2022.

/ Valle,JamesDella.“BetweentheFrame.” Bartlett School of Architecture Summer Show 2020, 2020.https://summer2020.bartlettarchucl.com/ ug8/year3-james-della-valle.Accessed8November2021.

/ Walker,Dominic. The Monastic School of Architecture. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2018.p.30.

/ Bonsor,Kevin.“HowHydropowerPlantsWork.” Howstuffworks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/hydropower-plant1.htm. Accessed2May2022.

/ Forward,Michael. The Arctic Tap. Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2019.p.44. / Leggatt,Tom.“Section3.5:ADecentralisedEnergyNetwork.” Generation Montagna, Incomplete, Smout Allen, 2020.http://www.smoutallen.com/ tom-leggett-y4.Accessed2May2022.

Chapter 3

Chapter 5

Chapter 4

Section 7.01

Chapter 5 (cont.)

/ Lesikar,Bruce.“OnsiteWastewaterTreatmentSystems:SepticTank/SoiAbsorptionField.” Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. https://agrilifeextension. tamu.edu/library/water/onsite-wastewater-treatment-systems-septic-tank-soil-absorption-field/.Accessed2May2022.

/ Meteoblue.“Simulatedhistoricalclimate&weatherdataforLhuentse.”https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/lhuentse_ bhutan_1252526.Accessed6June2022.

/ Miller,DougJohn.“Mapped.” National Reserve, Smout Allen, 2018.http://www.smoutallen.com/douglas-miller-y4.Accessed2May2022.

/ Přikryl,Richard,ÁkosTörök,MagdaliniTheodoridou,MiguelGomez-Heras,andKarelMiskovsky.“Geomaterialsinconstructionandtheirsustainability: Understandingtheirroleinmodernsociety.” Geological Society London Special Publications 416,no.1,February2016.pp.1-22.https://www. researchgate.net/figure/Embodied-carbon-associated-with-stone-cement-concrete-and-brick-data-from-Hammond_fig2_298070425.Accessed2 May2022.

/ Wikipedia.2022.“EnergyinBhutan.” Wikimedia Foundation. Lastedited20May,2022.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_Bhutan

Pleasenotethatallofthefollowingreferenceshavebeenusedasprecedentsforgraphicsorfurtherinformationforimagesproducedbytheauthorofthisreport, unlessstatedinthesuffixofthefollowingreferences,inbrackets-NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport.

Chapter 1

1.01A M.V.DZanden,“Cornerconnectionincasestudybuilding,”in Assessment of the seismic performance and sustainability of the Kath-Khuni building style in the Indian Himalaya, in Semantics Scholar, 2018.p.29,https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Assessment-of-the-seismic-performanceand-of-the-in-Zanden/999f7888c12adcd2ed02ded0c3b1254869b8b7d6/figure/17.Accessed8November2021(NB.originalsourceimageshownin thisreport).

1.02A Zanden,“AssessmentoftheseismicperformanceandsustainabilityoftheKath-KhunibuildingstyleintheIndianHimalaya,”p.56.

1.02B-D SkyeMorrison,andJayThakkar, Matra: Ways of Measuring Vernacular Built Forms of Himachal Pradesh, CEPTUniversity:SIDResearchCell,January 2008,p.43,59,156,https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307538994_Matra_Ways_of_Measuring_Vernacular_Built_Forms_of_Himachal_ Pradesh.Accessed7November2021.

1.03A-D K.Hicyilmaz,T.Wilcock,C.Izatt,J.da-Silva,andR.Langenbach,“SeismicPerformanceofDhajjiDewari,”2012,https://www.semanticscholar.org/ paper/Seismic-Performance-of-Dhajji-Dewari-Hicyilmaz-Wilcock/27d36636d0e8eb3601bf2f8efc97183de7f6d6e7.Accessed1November2021.

1.04A K.Hicyilmaz,J.K.Bothara,andM.Stephenson,“HousingReport:DhajjiDewari,”in World Housing Encyclopedia, 2011.p.29,https://www.worldhousing.net/WHEReports/wh100164.pdf.Accessed1November2021.

1.05A PoojaNagaraj,“ModelExplorationofKath-khunihouse,”http://mansi-shah.weebly.com/student-work.html.Accessed7March2022.

1.06A DavidSouthwood,andAJBuildingsLibrary,“HalleyVIAntarcticResearchStation,” AJ Buildings Library, https://www.ajbuildingslibrary.co.uk/ projects/display/id/934.Accessed22November2021(NB.usedasreferencefortoptwoimagesandbottomrightimage).

1.08A DanielBoran, Unorthodox Union, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2021,pp.20-21,https://issuu.com/unit14/docs/y5_01_daniel_boran.Accessed8 November2021.

1.09A Ibid,p.19.

1.11A RetainingWallSolutions,“RetainingWallPriceComparison,”https://retainingwallsolutions.co.uk/retaining-wall-design/retaining-wall-pricecomparison/.Accessed22November2021.

1.11B SonakshiPandit,“UrbanCa[r]talyser,” RIBA President’s Medals, 2020,http://www.presidentsmedals.com/Entry-52151.Accessed15November2021.

1.16A-B SonyaFalkovskaia,“Aseriesofboundaries,” The Wall and the Wave, University of Bath, 2018,https://www.sonyafalkovskaia.com/the-wall-and-thewave#11.Accessed15November2021.

1.18A Pandit,“UrbanCa[r]talyser.”

1.18B RetainingWallSolutions,“RetainingWallPriceComparison.”

2.01A

DavidZurick,JulsunPacheco,BasantaShrestha,andBirendraBajracharya, Atlas of the Himalayas, p.27,70,Kathmandu,Nepal:InternationalCentre forIntegratedMountainDevelopment(ICIMOD),2005.

2.01B Zuricketal., Atlas of the Himalayas, p.53.

2.01C Ibid,p.8,10,13,15,20,28,60(NB.originalsourceimagesshowninthisreport).

2.03A TheEconomist,“Currentboundaries,” Fantasy frontiers, Graphic detail: Indian, Pakistani and Chinese border disputes, 2012,https://www.economist. com/graphic-detail/2012/02/08/fantasy-frontiers.Accessed22November2021.

2.04A Zuricketal., Atlas of the Himalayas, p.27.

2.05A Ibid,p.21,65(NB.originalsourceimagesshowninthisreport–twophotosonright;alsousedasreferenceformaponleft).

2.07A muddum27.“LhuentseDzong.”Photograph. Flickr. https://flickr.com/photos/57615250@N00/3355307329.Accessed16February2022(NB.original sourceimageshowninthisreport–topimage);BhutanBroadcastingService.“LhuentseDistrictCourt.”Photograph.http://www.bbs.bt/ news/?p=81252.Accessed16February2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport–bottomimage).

2.08A NaomiRubbra, New Citizens’ House, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2018,p.9.

2.08B ThomasBand, Fondazione Gucci, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020,p.11.

2.09A Vector-Images.com.“EmblemofBhutan—usedbytheParliamentofBhutan,firstestablishedin2007.”Digitalimage.2December2005.https:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emblem_of_Bhutan.svg.Accessed6June2022.(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem).

2.09B BhimUpadhyaya,andRoyalGovernmentofBhutan,“BhutanBuildingRules2002,”in Bhutan Building Rules 2002,DepartmentofUrbanDevelopment &Housing,MinistryofCommunications,p.1,https://www.slideshare.net/BhimUpadhyaya/bhutan-buildingrules2002.Accessed27June2022(NB. originalsourceimageshowninthisreport–onlefthandside);RoyalGovernmentofBhutan,”TwelfthFiveYearPlan2018-2023,” Twelfth Five Year Plan, 2018-2023: Volume 1: Main Document, Thimphu,Bhutan:GrossNationalHappinessCommission,RoyalGovernmentofBhutan,2019,p.1,https:// www.gnhc.gov.bt/en/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/TWELVE-FIVE-YEAR-WEB-VERSION.pdf.Accessed27June2022(NB.originalsourceimage showninthisreport–onrighthandside).

Chapter 2

2.09C DepartmentofForestsandParkServices,MinistryofAgricultureandForests,RoyalGovernmentofBhutan.“DOFPSBhutanLogo.”Digital image.https://www.dofps.gov.bt/.Accessed6June2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem).

2.09D BenNorris, Nordicloop Nyhavn, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2021,p.48.

2.09E SherubtseCollege(@sherubtsecol).“SherubtseCollegeKanglunglogo.” Twitter. https://mobile.twitter.com/sherubtsecol/photo.Accessed 27June2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem);

RoyalUniversityofBhutan.“RoyalUniversityofBhutanlogo.”Digitalimage.https://www.rub.edu.bt/images/rub/Key-Documents/AnnualReports/annual_report_2016.pdf.Accessed27June2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem);

BhutanCollegeofScienceandTechnology.“BhutanCollegeofScienceandTechnologylogo.”Digitalimage.https://cst.edu.bt/index.php/ en/.Accessed27June2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem);

KhesarGyalpoUniversityofMedicalSciencesofBhutan,RoyalGovernmentofBhutan.“KGUMSBlogo.”Digitalimage.https://www.kgumsb. edu.bt/?page_id=3815.Accessed27June2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem);

RoyalUniversityofBhutan,CollegeofNaturalResources.“CollegeofNaturalResourceslogo.”Digitalimage.https://www.cnr.edu.bt/. Accessed27June2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem);

ParoCollegeofEducation.“ParoCollegeofEducationlogo.”Digitalimage.https://www.pce.edu.bt/.Accessed27June2022(NB.original sourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem);

RoyalThimphuCollege.“RoyalThimphuCollegelogo.”Digitalimage.https://www.rtc.bt/.Accessed27June2022(NB.originalsource imageshowninthisreport-emblem);

JigmeNamgyelEngineeringCollege.“JigmeNamgyelEngineeringCollegelogo.”Digitalimage. https://www.jnec.edu.bt/en/.Accessed27 June2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport-emblem).

3.03A Pegenaute,Pedro.“TsingpuYangzhuoRetreat/Neri&HuDesignandResearchOffice.”Photograph. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily. com/888969/the-walled-tsingpu-yangzhou-retreat-neri-and-hu-design-and-research-office.Accessed27June2022(NB.originalsource imageshowninthisreport–bottomleftimage).

3.03B Chen,Hao.“Aerialview:AlilaYangshuoHotel/VectorArchitects.”Photograph. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/928950/alilayangshuo-vector-architects.Accessed27June2022(NB.originalsourceimageshowninthisreport–bottomrightimage).

3.05A Falkovskaia,“Aseriesofboundaries.”

3.06A ShaokangLi, An Archive of the Ciudad Perdida, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020,p.12,https://issuu.com/shaokangli13/docs/ compressed_portfolio_levi_shaokang_li_unnit18.Accessed7February2022.

3.07A Ibid,p.14.

3.08A Zanden,“AssessmentoftheseismicperformanceandsustainabilityoftheKath-KhunibuildingstyleintheIndianHimalaya,”p.56.

3.08B Li, An Archive of the Ciudad Perdida, pp.12-14.

3.08C DougJohnMiller,“TheHarderkulmTransect,” Terra Incognita, Smout Allen, 2019,http://www.smoutallen.com/doug-miller-y5.Accessed7 November2021(NB.firstimageusedasreferencefor‘SitePlan’).

4.05A DougJohnMiller,andMarianneHanoun,“FutureCity–AnimationforWIRED:DougJohnMillerdiscussesfindingillustrationthrough architecture.” Creative Lives in Progress, 7January2019,https://www.creativelivesinprogress.com/article/doug-john-miller-on-studyingarchitecture-and-building-illustrative-worlds.Accessed7February2022(NB.usedasreferenceforperson,styleandbluecolour).

4.05B Rubbra, New Citizens’ House, pp.25-26.

4.05C-E RyanMoss, Hong Kong Parliament, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2021,pp.23-24.

4.06A Ibid,p.25.

4.07A JamesDellaValle,“BetweentheFrame,” Bartlett School of Architecture Summer Show 2020, 2020,https://summer2020.bartlettarchucl. com/ug8/year3-james-della-valle.Accessed8November2021.

4.07B ConnorJames, Monastic Outpost, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020,pp.29-30,https://issuu.com/unit14/docs/y4_01_connor_ james_1.Accessed7February2022.

4.08A HolgerGross, Glulam Handbook Volume 1, Stockholm,Sweden:FöreningenSverigesSkogsindustrier–TheSwedishForestIndustries Federation,2013,p.19,https://www.woodcampus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/GLU_HAND_VOLUME-1.pdf.Accessed8November 2021;James, Monastic Outpost, p.30(NB.usedasreferenceforbottomdiagrams).

4.09A DouglasYang,Re-ImagineChineseTimberFrame,Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020,pp.56-63,https://issuu.com/unit14/docs/ y5_01_douglas_yang.Accessed7February2022.

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Section 7.02

Chapter 4 (cont.)

4.09B TakumiOtaPhotography,andArchDaily,“YusuharaWoodenBridgeMuseum/KengoKuma&Associates,” ArchDaily, 16February,2012, https://www.archdaily.com/199906/yusuhara-wooden-bridge-museum-kengo-kuma-associates.Accessed7March2022.

4.10A, D Miller,“TheHarderkulmTransect”(NB.firstimageusedasreferencefor‘CarpentryWorkshopNativeUser&Toolkit’,‘SitePlan’andcentral image.Alsousedasreferencefortrees).

4.10B Rubbra, New Citizens’ House, p.31.

4.10C Li, An Archive of the Ciudad Perdida, pp.12-14.

4.11A Rubbra, New Citizens’ House, p.26,28.

4.12A, C-D ArinjoySen, Productive Insurgence, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2020,p.43,https://issuu.com/arinjoysen/docs/productive_ insurgence_asreduced2.Accessed7February2022.

4.12B Rubbra, New Citizens’ House, p.22.

4.13A DominicWalker, The Monastic School of Architecture, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2018,p.30.

4.14A ArinjoySen(@arinjoy_sen),“PerspectivesonRadicalCommoning.AManifestoforanAlternativeModeofProduction,” Instagram, 16May,2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/CAPrlfYpbH6/.Accessed7March2022.

4.14B Moss, Hong Kong Parliament, p.32.

4.14C Sen, Productive Insurgence, pp.62-63.

4.14D PaddyFernandez, Mitsubishi Mariculture, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2018,pp.58-59,https://issuu.com/unit14/docs/_pf.Accessed7 March2022.

4.15A-B Rubbra, New Citizens’ House, p.21,32.

4.15C-E Moss, Hong Kong Parliament, pp.28-29,31.

4.15F AnnabelleTan,“Section3.03–3.04:RenewableEnergySystemsandWaterSystems,” The River, Restoration and Its Rituals, Uncommon Ground, Smout Allen, 2021,http://www.smoutallen.com/annabelle-tan-y4.Accessed4April2022.

4.15G RGGunther,“woodworkingmachinery,” Sketchup 3D Warehouse, https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/0f74fcf4-f447-41e2-80dd23714982cb11/woodworking-machinery?hl=es.Accessed2May2022.

Chapter 5

5.00A Meteoblue,“Simulatedhistoricalclimate&weatherdataforLhuentse,”https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/ lhuentse_bhutan_1252526.Accessed6June2022.

5.01A, F Rubbra, New Citizens’ House, pp.34-35,38.

5.01B-E, H-I Tan,“Section3.03–3.04:RenewableEnergySystemsandWaterSystems.”

5.01G AndrewChard, The Oasis: Salton Sea Elementary School, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2018,p.32.

5.01I BruceLesikar,“OnsiteWastewaterTreatmentSystems:SepticTank/SoiAbsorptionField,” Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, https:// agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/water/onsite-wastewater-treatment-systems-septic-tank-soil-absorption-field/.Accessed2May 2022.

5.02A Wikipedia.2022.“Bhutanelectricityproduction.” Wikimedia Foundation. Lastedited20May,2022.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_ Bhutan#/media/File:Bhutan_electricity_production.svg

5.02B-D TomLeggatt,“Section3.5:ADecentralisedEnergyNetwork,” Generation Montagna, Incomplete, Smout Allen, 2020,http://www.smoutallen. com/tom-leggett-y4.Accessed2May2022.

5.02D KevinBonsor,“HowHydropowerPlantsWork,” Howstuffworks, https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/hydropowerplant1.htm.Accessed2May2022.

5.03A, C-D Chard, The Oasis: Salton Sea Elementary School, p.39,41,43.

5.03B Band, Fondazione Gucci, p.37.

5.04A Sen,“PerspectivesonRadicalCommoning.”

5.04B Weather2visit.“Averagedaytimetemperature.”https://www.weather2visit.com/asia/bhutan/lhuentse.htm.Accessed2May2022.

5.04C MichaelForward, The Arctic Tap, Report,UniversityCollegeLondon,2019,p.44.

5.04D Rubbra, New Citizens’ House, pp.38-39.

5.05A DougJohnMiller,“Mapped,” National Reserve, Smout Allen, 2018,http://www.smoutallen.com/douglas-miller-y4.Accessed2May2022 (NB.sixthimageusedasreferenceforgraphics).

5.05B-C Chard, The Oasis: Salton Sea Elementary School, p.42.

5.06A Norris, Nordicloop Nyhavn, p.21.

5.07A Ibid,p.22.

All work produced by Unit 14

Unit book design by Charlie Harriswww.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture

Copyright 2021

The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmited in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retreival system without permission in writing from the publisher.

SPATIAL TECTONIC 2022

PG14 is a test bed for architectural exploration and innovation, examining the role of the architect in an environment of continuous change. We are in search of the new: leveraging technologies, workflows and modes of production seen in disciplines outside our own. We test ideas systematically by means of digital as well as physical drawings, models and prototypes. Our work evolves around technological speculation with a research-driven core, generating momentum through the astute synthesis of both. Our propositions are ultimately made through the design of buildings and in-depth consideration of structural formation and tectonic constituents. This, coupled with a strong research ethos, generates new and unprecedented, viable and spectacular proposals.

The focus of this year’s work evolved around the concept of ‘Spatial Tectonic’. This term describes architectural space as a result of the highest degree of synthesis of all underlying principles. Constructional logic, spatial innovation, typological organisation, and environmental and structural performance are all negotiated in an iterative process driven by architectural investigation. These inherent principles of organisational intelligence can be observed in both biotic and abiotic systems, in all spatial arrangements where it is critical for the overall performance of any developed order. Ultimately such principles suggest that the arrangement of constituents provides intelligence as well as advantage to the whole.

Through a deep understanding of architectural ingredients, students generated highly developed architectural systems in which spatial organisation arose as a result of sets of mutual interactions. These interactions were understood through targeted iterations of spatial models, uncovering logical links while generating ambitious and speculative arrangements. Sequential testing and the enriching of abstract yet architectural systems were the basis of architectural form - communicating the relationship of all logical dependencies, roles and performances within the system.

Thanks to: ARUP, ALA, DKFS, knippershelbig, RSHP, HASSELL, Seth Stein Architects, ZHA, Expedition Engineering