Rebuilding Nepal # 1, Rs. 200
Demystifying prefabricated buildings Rebuilding Barpak
How safe are high-rises in Kathmandu Valley? Issue 1
REBUILDING NEPAL
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Contents
Issue 1 2015
Urban Construction
Landmark in harmony with Lakeside 20 Demystifying prefabricated buildings 36 The last stand 48 Concrete Vs. prefab homes 54 How far below do you own your land? 60 Still standing tall 62 Rebuilding the Miyamoto way 66 High-rise discussion 70 The art of retrofi tting 78 Viscous dampers 82 Strong, smooth, and sleek 90 Sturdy structures 92 The lay of the land 94 No need to be alramed, or is there? 96 How to reduce building mass? 98 Binding Nepal 100 More than meets the eye 106 Open spaces 116 Nandi Keshwor Bagaincha 120
Heritage Construction
Rebuilding Bungamati 136 The legacy of the restorer 144 Traditional homes Swotha 150 Zero ground Kasthamandap 154 Love for remodeling 158 In-between the tremors 166 Modern Vs. traditional construction 168 Contents
Issue 1 2015
Rural Construction
Mud as building material 174 Of bamboos, pigs, and innovative construction 180 Can rural roofing techniques take the heat? 188 Rebuilding what was lost 194 Rebuilding Barpak 280
Green Construction
Going green with an Eco-house 222 The coffee 228 The many benefits of a roof garden 232 Power in, power out 236 Shaping a green future 242 Buildings, not earthquake, kill 246 Flushing: start of an alternative water supply 248 Air conditioning the natural way 252 Alternative sources of power for a new Nepal 256 Power of the Sun 258 Light up! 260 Letter from the Editor
Build better, stronger With great pleasure we would like to introduce you to BUILD. This is our effort of providing you with all the essentials required to build a Newer and Stronger Nepal after the devastating earthquake on April 25. This issue encompasses alternative and sustainable construction, structures that have been damaged, rebuilding processes, retrofitting, soil testing, and other information that would help one to be prepared for a calamity like this. We also hope to encourage concerned experts to do some rethinking on the present way of doing things regarding suitability, technology, design, and architecture in an earthquake-prone region like Nepal. Resilient by nature, and minimalistic by need, Nepalis have proven themselves to the world as hard working and self-dependant people. It is only in a country like ours that the number of volunteers would roughly equate to the number of affected people. In BUILD, we have tried to include the practical details that are needed for Nepal to rise from the rubble. The process of building is not easy, and who better than us would know it. From meeting pressing deadlines to finding accurate information, along with resourcing the best professionals in the industry, the progression hasn’t been particularly easy. And, that’s how the road is going to be, but with honest efforts and team spirit, there is nothing we cannot attain. So, et’s BUILD.
Namoti Nembang
Urban CONSTRUCTION Part1 Urban Construction feature Landmark in Harmony with Lakeside Pokhara is a lovely city with great natural beauty; and its inherent aesthetics should be kept in mind when designing new constructions.
Text By Amar B. Shrestha
fter having lived in the U.S.A. for some time, Mr. Gautam Man Buddacharya wanted to do something back in his hometown in Nepal that would reflect on his new-found experiences that left a lasting mark. Fortunately, he came across one of Nepal’s more creative designers, Architect Arun Dev Pant of Design Cell, whom he had met many years ago in the US. This is what he said to the designer: “I have a one-ropani-four-anna property in Lakeside, Baidam, Pokhara. I want to build something there now that I have decided to come back.” Obviously, because it is in the heart of tourist hub of the ‘Lake City’, it would be for commercial purposes. “Actually, there was already another structure at the site, a store for a well known brand of sportswear, which would have to be dismantled,” says Mr. Pant. “I told Mr. Buddacharya straightway that it wouldn’t be a good idea to construct something that would not fit in with the beautiful landscape of Pokhara. No tall concrete structures.” His question to Mr. Buddacarya was this: “Are you sure you want to follow what others are doing? That is, build another multistoried shopping mall with shops, cinema halls, and A banks, or maybe just another hotel? Do you want to pour Photo: ECS Media in tens of crores on such a invested.” Additionally, he value is excellent,” says venture?”Apparently, this was had a new concept about the Architect Pant. To a question not Mr. Buddcharya’s objective, method of construction itself. “I about the longevity of pre-fab either. The architect added, “I wanted to make extensive use construction, he states, “It’s like have an idea whereby, instead of lightweight components used for other constructions. They of pouring in tens of crores in pre-fab construction, but are definitely not temporary on such a venture, you will be customized for this particular structures.” spending just a few crores on project. The materials used in The novel Pokhara Lakeside making something different, but such components make them project was planned to be which will be as commercially lightweight. They are easy to finished within a period of viable.” His idea was to build a install and can be recovered four months. “We finished two-storied building that would and replaced as the need the steel structural system in be in perfect harmony with the arises in the future. The time two months’ time, and were in ‘laid back’ style of Pokhara’s taken is also much shorter line to complete the finishing famed Lakeside. than for traditional concrete in another two months. But, He says, “My observation construction. All this means a after the structure had been has been that it is only the quick payback period.” completed, the country was ground and first floors that Apparently, components struck by the Great Earthquake bring in most of the revenue, such as external wall sidings of April 25, 2015. This naturally so having more stories does not (claddings or fiber ‘cement disrupted our plans, but now always translate into revenue stays’), for instance, can be we have again started work on proportionate to the amount easily used again. “The salvage the project.” According to him,
22 Build Issue 1 feature
Courtesy: Design Cell Pvt.Ltd, Naxal, Kathmandu it will be completed in the next “However, suppose we were the pre-fab components (wall two months. “I believe that to build numerous pre-fab claddings, especially) come from it will be inaugurated during buildings for say, engineers Thailand, and other materials Dashain,” he says. in a huge hydropower project like aluminum components Talking about the effect like Kaligandaki, or we needed (windows, doors, etc.) are from on costs due to using pre- many pre-fab buildings for India and China. fabricated components, he resettlement purpose in villages, When completed, it will states, “Actually, right now it’s then the same components could have seven small-sized shops, a only a question of 10 to 15% be replicated. This could bring restaurant, and an ATM lounge less than the costs incurred for the costs down.” Apparently, on the ground floor, and two more traditional contemporary according to Architect Pant, large branded stores and some construction. This is because of the current costs for traditional other restaurants on the floor volume: we don’t yet have large contemporary methods of above. It promises to be not only scale projects where pre-fab construction comes to around a popular place for both tourists constructions are done. This Rs. 3500 per sq ft whereas and locals, it also promises to means that cost advantage that using pre-fab components, be a harmonizing landmark in could be had because of large the costs come to about Rs. the famous Lakeside of Nepal’s scale replication of components 3000 pr square feet. “The cost lovely ‘Lake City’. Architect is not there at the moment.” In for larger settlements could Pant ends by saying, “This will his view, demand for diversity come down a lot,” he informs, probably be one of the first such in design outweighs similarity adding that while the steel projects to be finished after the when making homes here. materials are Nepal-made, Great Earthquake.”
Build Issue 1 23 Urban Construction feature A Home for Every Nepali Cost-effective Houses Fulfilling the basic right of every Nepali to have proper shelter is a challenge that’s still unmet; making judicious use of new technology will help.
Text By Ar. Manjari Shakya
uilding a house is the biggest dream of all Nepalis, but for most it remains unfulfilled. A house is a sign of prosperity, but it should actually be a basic human right. However, the government has not been able to provide housing facilities, and the market supply is also not favorable for lower income groups. Aside from that, most houses here are built by individuals themselves, and one has to construct services such as road, drainage, septic tank, soak pit, overhead tank, underground tank, etc., leading thus to additional costs. The focus of housing companies is on the higher income groups. Apartments are considered to be a cheaper option, but costs incurred on ensuring water supply, drainage, roads, and alternative power supply, in addition to construction of heavy structure, add to the price, and so these are also out of reach for most Nepalis. The situation has worsened all the more with the recent earthquake bringing down over 600,000 buildings B nationwide. Today, the speedy construction of earthquake- Fast construction, where a house can be build in 4-5 months Load-bearing walls are made of hollow concrete blocks and reinforced by verticle steel bars Photo: ECS Media resistant and cost-effective houses is the greatest challenge for Nepal.
Cost-effective does not mean cheap For making quick and cost- effective houses, one should TERRACE know the purpose of the building and the place where it is to be built. Till now, the most common form of BED ROOM-2 building in Nepal has been BED ROOM-1 RCC framed structure, but it is a comparatively expensive method for small buildings. Thus, one should also be open to new technologies and explore the options of LIVING CUM DINING precast, prefab, steel, wood, etc. With proper technology and workmanship, houses can be made more economically. A cost-effective house does not mean only a cheap house, without considering its quality, durability, and strength. An AXONOMETRIC VIEW OF THE HOUSE inferior house may be built cheaply, but it could become unfit for living within a short materials and construction been building at Lamatar with period of time. Such houses may technology. the cost of just Rs. 37 lakh for be risky to live in, and may be There are various types of a three-bedroom bungalow. costlier in the long run, thus, prefabrication technologies The project bore no structural affordable houses must be made available to make cost effective damage during the April 25 for different target groups. houses. Some industries produce earthquake due to its monolithic a few prefabricated members, construction technology, a Proper planning is the key while others manufacture all the technology developed by We need to change our prefab members and assemble Engineer Bhubaneshwar Lal perception regarding how we them at site. But in the context of Shrestha, following the National construct. We need to think Nepal—with its transportation Building Code and Indian of the purpose and apply the difficulties and limited number Building Code. The houses have right technology, keeping in of large industries with prefab built-up area of 1324 sq ft. and mind function, aesthetics, and technology—the challenge is stand on three ana of land. constructability. A cost-effective to innovate a prefabrication In this project, prefab/ house means the efficient system by using locally available precast building members such utilization of land, material, material and manpower to build as concrete blocks, beams, and labor, and it can only be strong, functional, and durable slabs, and staircases were achieved by proper planning. houses at affordable cost for constructed at the site. This So, one should always keep different target groups. building system requires two in mind that, “A rupee spent sets of labor: a manufacturing in planning saves ten rupees An example of cost-effective setup to produce building in construction.” Costs can housing members, and a construction be reduced during planning Ar. Sanjay B. Thapa puts setup to assemble them at the of land, design of individual forward an example of site. Only raw materials like building, and use of building affordable housing he has cement, sand, aggregate, and
28 Build Issue 1 feature
The project bore no structural damage during HOLLOW BLOCK WALL the April 25 earthquake due to its monolithic CONCRETE FLOORING construction technology. CAST IN-SITU
CONCRETE SLAB PRECAST/ PREFAB rods are transported to the site. it being congested and inviting It is green technology, as there an unhealthy environment. is reduced pollution because of The buildings are arranged in CONCRETE BEAM less transportation of materials, a row with narrow frontage, PRECAST/ PREFAB and no kiln-burnt materials so that many buildings can are used. Besides, it is a fast be accommodated alongside construction process, where a the road. The buildings are house can be constructed within rectangular, as square and four-five months. rectangular plan takes minimum wall length, and will be cheaper HOLLOW BLOCK WALL The construction method than those with irregular shape. The foundation is RCC strip The staircase is placed at the foundation cast on site. center of the plan to reduce Load-bearing walls are made circulation space. Boundary of hollow concrete blocks walls are not constructed. It
FOUNDATION reinforced by vertical steel is not only to reduce the cost CAST IN-SITU bars at building corners and risk of falling during an and door window openings. earthquake, but also to give a The building is then given sense of openness. The spaces monolithic strength by providing are linked directly to the roads, horizontal reinforcement bars and there is easy access for at DPC, sill, lintel, and floor parking. Natural light, cooling, level. Additionally, vertical and ventilation have also been reinforcements are also provided considered to reduce heating, at the ground floor level between cooling, and lighting costs. strip foundation and DPC, and The present system is only at the lintel level between lintel for residential buildings, but band and floor slab, forming a the same technology can be deep girder at each floor/ceiling developed to construct low- level. These blocks are heat and rise high-density mixed use fire resistant due to them being buildings, hotels, apartments, hollow. All electrical lines and etc. The larger the scale of pipe lines run through the holes the project, the more cost- of these blocks. Load-bearing effective it would be. Thus, not AXONOMETRIC VIEW walls are more suitable and only should the government WALL SECTION economical for two- to three- and municipality encourage storey residential buildings. the construction of such Courtesy: ARCHIPLAN (P) LTD, Kathmandu The buildings and openings are cost-effective houses, but the designed following block module building industry also should of the hollow block, so that the join hands with them in this blocks need not be chiseled. It endeavor. And, if banks and not only maintains the strength other financial companies of the material, but also reduces would provide loans for such wastage of time and material. buildings as easily as they do for The efficient use of land RCC framed buildings, then the means to use as less land as day is not that far when every possible for the house, without Nepali can afford a home.
Build Issue 1 29 Urban Construction feature Shera Solutions An exploration of the concrete boards that Thai company Shera has brought to Nepal for construction.
Text By Shreeansh Agrawal
o, how strong are these walls?’ ‘ As an answer to my question, Mr. Sudarshan Joshi, chairman of Valley Plus Ltd, kicked the wall hard, like he intended to knock it down. There was a dull thud, but nothing more. What I had seen was a wall that Valley Plus is bringing to Nepal. Working in collaboration with Thai company Mahaphant Fibre Cement Public Company Ltd., Valley Plus has introduced to Nepal the all new set of Shera solutions for walls, roofs and floors.
What it is Shera is a company that provides alternative housing solutions. A new face in the crowd of prefabricated building methods, Shera provides concrete slabs for wall panels, unique fibre concrete roofs, and a range of floorboards of wooden texture. The product that stands out the most is the infill board. s30 Build Issue 1 Denser and more durable walls More weather resistant than plaster boards and less brittle
32 Build Issue 1 Photo: ECS Media feature
Shera provides its own infill mixture that comprise This kind of concrete may consist of between 40 - 80% of extended polystyrene (EPS), cement, sand and air. Keep in mind that this water. This mixture, when it solidifies, provides is different from aerated concrete, which is premixed. good sound and heat insulation to the building, but This kind must be mixed on most importantly, gives it strength. site, making it less flexible to work with. However, it may be lighter, depending on the formula. Given its lightness and Walls that are built using the like texture, glass wool is an cost effectiveness compared infill board are fairly simple. excellent thermal insulator and to concrete, it is a great A steel frame is erected with is much lighter than concrete, alternative for large scale channels at regular intervals. both due to its low density. construction. By reducing the These big slabs of fibre However, it will not withstand load of the whole building concrete provided by Shera are impact as well as a solid wall at the base (called dead then drilled on to the frame would. A hard punch on the load), it makes the structure from one end. All electrical wall would break the cement less likely to cave in during and plumbing fixtures are then board, exposing the wool and an earthquake. Both the attached. After this, the other requiring for a new panel to be options are available to side is also put in place. fixed on. customers who do not want The hollow spaces between This product would be a to opt for a dry wall and the two walls must be filled. good option for buildings that Valley Plus will recommend While there are many variants want to keep their costs low. the right material based on in the market of what kind cost limitations, the type of mixture to fill, Shera Infill wall board in other of structure, insulation provides its own infill mixture contexts requirements, etc. that comprise of extended The board can also be used polystyrene (EPS), cement, as a substitute for plasters in Evaluation sand and water. This mixture, regular construction work. Shera’s products are walls when it solidifies, provides This is what has been done in are denser and more durable good sound and heat insulation the Ranjana Trade Centre and than other similar products. to the building, but most Imperial Court Building, where Their preference for utilising importantly, gives it strength. the Shera infill walls and dry most of their own building This mixture is filled in walls were used as partition material, including screws, through holes on top of the walls. It is more weather drills and infill pumps, is a walls, using pumps that Shera resistant than plaster boards mark of their emphasis on provides. The end product and less brittle. It is also more quality but also a potential is a durable wall with high resistant to termites. inconvenience. Their flexibility and better insulation Recently, Valley Plus solutions are similar to against sound and heat than and Shera have also been what many other prefab regular plaster walls. collaborating with United companies in Nepal do, but However, the infill material Concrete Pvt. Ltd, that provides the fact that they come from is just one of the options that its own kind of filling. While Thailand, and their various Valley Plus provides. Another Shera’s comprises of cement quality certifications give set of solutions for insulating interspersed with sand and them an edge. the walls, is what is called pieces of EPS, United Concrete While numerous dry-wall solutions. As the name produces what is known as international manufacturers suggests, this solution relies cellular lightweight concrete produce similar material for on filling the interior with (CLC). This mixture consists of walls and fillings for cheaper glass wool. A material that cement, sand and water which prices, keep your eye out for is made from fibres of glass are combined with a foaming this slightly expensive, but winded together to give a wool- agent imported from Germany. well-qualified product.
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Nandi Ratri School, Naxal
Urban Construction feature Demystifying Prefabricated Buildings As with any new technology, this new building method could be confusing. Here is some insight.
Text By Shreeansh Agrawal Prefabrication: something to Prefab shelters are much lighter than a do with the textile industry at best, an insidious-sounding brick and mortar structure, this type of word at worst. With this new building is less likely to break apart during technology being the whisper on everyone’s mouth, Build an earthquake. magazine has set out to debunk what prefabricated houses are really about. offered includes polyurethane their average lifetime is What They Are (PU), extended polystyrene considered to be not more than Prefabricated buildings refer to (EPS), aerated concrete and 20 years. a number of different building lightweight cellular concrete, Little sound/heat insulation: methods that generally involve amongst others. The panels are not very manufacturing large parts of effective at keeping sound or the structure in a factory and Advantages heat out. assembling them on site. Many Quickly assembled: The Not environmentally different types of structures average modular house takes friendly: Because the can be prefabricated, from about ten days to build. insulation is made of residential to commercial to Cheap: Prices could range polyurethane or extended industrial, and there is no one- anywhere from 1000 - 2000 polystyrene, disposal of the size-fits-all type of building that NRS/ sq. ft. Comparatively, a houses becomes an issue. Both is the prefabricated building. brick building may cost around EPS and PU are not considered Here are the different kinds 3200 NRS/ sq. ft. environmentally friendly of prefabricated buildings Easy to transport: After due to how hazardous they commonly being offered now the pieces have been cut in are when they burn, not to in Nepal: the factory, the wall panels, mention the fact that a large frames, etc. can be transported amount of landfill waste Prefabricated shelters on a truck. comprises of compounds made Arguably one of the most com- Easy to disassemble: These of styrene such as EPS. mon types of prefab buildings wall panels can be removed being made in Nepal, ‘shelters’ and the steel frame can be Verdict refer to buildings that are disassembled. The parts can These houses are great for made of standard components. then be reused for some other disaster shelter constructions, These components are long building. temporary offices, barracks, wall panels that slide into each Lightweight: Normally much even food joints (Mc Donald’s other and are supported by a lighter than a brick and mortar is said to have made most of its thin steel frame. After the four structure, this type of buildings buildings with prefab technol- corners are installed, a roof is is less likely to break apart ogy) - basically anything where put on a purlin. The design for during an earthquake. immediate functionality is these houses is mostly (if not the focus. They are also much always) modular. Disadvantages better than brick houses for The wall panels are made of No choice in design: These earthquake resistance. How- a variety of different materials. houses are modular and so ever, if you are looking for long In general, some kind of most designs will consists of a term, sustainable and durable insulated material is filled rectangular structure with a housing solutions, this is not between two zinc coated steel standard type of roofing. If you the one for you. sheets. These big sheets are are hoping to have even a little cut into panels in the factory bit flair in your building, this is Pre-engineered buildings according to specifications. not a choice for you. Pre-engineered buildings (PEB) Then, on site, they are Lifetime: Although companies are buildings that are still assembled and sealed. The claim that these shelters last as ‘prefabricated’ in the sense that range of insulating materials long as conventional houses, the parts are manufactured to
Build Issue 1 37 feature
PEBs are highly flexible with architectural nies that offer this solution, complications may arise in design and thus offer a wider range of construction. This is further buildings solutions. If done well, these aggravated by the fact that even foreign construction buildings are a much better option across all companies that do make PEBs sectors, from industrial to residential, given need to rely on local contrac- tors to execute the job. their earthquake reistance, customizability and Unsalvageable: If the insu- most importantly, speed of construction. lating material used is rock wool or glass wool (what we call dry-wall), then compo- nents can be unscrewed and the steel can be salvaged to size and then put up on site. frame is good, the building some extent. However, high However, they are specific in can be made. rise towers are often made the fact that the architecture Permanent and durable: of what are called wet-walls, of the building predetermines These buildings are made to where the insulation between the inventory of raw materi- last as long as conventional two panels is some kind of als to be purchased and cut. houses, if not more. concrete mixture. These While shelters have standard Earthquake resistant: The buildings as of such cannot be sizes that they work with, buildings are flexible and of- salvaged as the concrete dries PEBs are highly flexible with tentimes still more lightweight around the steel. architectural design and thus than tall, traditional buildings. offer a wider range of build- Sound and heat Insulation: Verdict ing solutions. Like all other prefab solutions, PEBs are construction The construction process PEB walls can be made very projects that require much is similar. After the design resistant to heat and sound more thought, effort and is determined, a big frame passing through. Wall thick- money. They are not meant is designed that matches the ness and insulation material is to be quick solutions the way structure of the house. After customisable according to the shelters are. Their tradi- this has been put up, the customer’s requirements. tional counterparts (brick and outside wall is made. This can Speed of construction: In mortar) are easier to build be done with different kinds comparison to conventional because of familiarity with of concrete panels, but is also housing, PEBS are often con- the process and material and variable according to what the structed more than twice as availability of experts in ev- construction company offers. fast. The process of erecting a ery aspect of the construction. Insulation, plumbing and frame and screwing panels on However, if done well, electricity lines are put into is much quicker than laying these buildings are a much place and then the inside wall brick after brick. better option across all is sealed off too. sectors, from industrial Disadvantages to residential, given their Advantages Expensive: They may cost as earthquake resistance, Flexibility in design: Any- much as conventional hous- customisability and most thing from industrial ware- ing, sometimes even more. importantly, speed. houses, stadiums to residen- The unavailability of com- tial homes have been built ponents in Nepal means that Light gauge steel frame this way. import charges will add to the construction No limitations in size or price. A subset of PEBs, LGSF con- height: Many high-rise tow- Difficult to build: Given the structions rely on a particular ers all around the world are Lack of expertise in Nepal type of framing. As the name pre-engineered. As long as the and the scarcity of compa- suggests, the frame is made
38 Build Issue 1
feature
Light steel is deemed safe up to two floors from steel that is light and There is little question Another concern, easy to carry. It is cold-formed that the complex of prefab particularly with dry walls, and comes in predetermined technologies is going to is that it does not provide the shapes. challenge conventional psychological satisfaction that LGSF buildings are also housing. A crisis like this a concrete building provides, not taller than two floors. earthquake has shown us simply because we are so used The light steel is deemed safe clearly that we must look for to brick and concrete. The up to two floors, after which new ways to build our houses. hollow sound that comes from thicker, heavy duty steel However, we must also be knocking at a prefab structure columns must be integrated very clear about what kind of may put many people off and into the frame to allow for a building we want and for it may be difficult to convince taller constructions. The what purpose. people that structural integrity biggest advantage for this The obvious drawback is in fact unrelated to how specific type of PEBs is that of all of these technologies ‘hollow’ the wall sounds. it is very easy to set up the is how new they are to Putting all of these issues frame. However, like post Nepal. Given the fact aside, prefab technology is PEBs, scarcity of expertise and that construction is a big an exciting breakthrough for unavailability in Nepal is a big investment for most, it is not a country that has become issue. unlikely that problems will slightly disillusioned with arise during construction, conventional housing methods. What Now? especially for larger It may take some time for us The most important thing structures. We are also yet to get used to it and to fully to understand for prefabri- to understand the long term grasp the experience of living cated constructions is that it is implications of these prefab in a prefab building, but the much, much more than tem- structures. The claims that technology is definitely worth porary shelters. Prefabs, as we these buildings last fifty studying and implementing. have seen, refer to a range of years is well and great, but Perhaps then the word solutions that is applied to a maintenance costs and minor prefabrication will not sound range or requirements. fixes must also be considered. so insidious anymore.
40 Build Issue 1
Urban Construction Q & A Steel is Forever Using steel in construction can have many benefits, and make houses more earthquake resistant.
Text By Udeep Shrestha, Director of Panchakanya Group
essening the load on structures reduces their earthquake resistance and using light gauge steel building system is how this can be done. What is light gauge steel frame? Light gauge steel frame is developed through a cold- formed process without the use of heat. This process enables steel manufacturers to produce lightweight but high-tensile steel sheets. The sheet surface is coated with a zinc alloy that completely covers the steel surface and seals it from the corrosive action of its environment. This results in earthquake-resistant buildings that are more solid, rigid, stronger, durable, and easier to build.
Light gauge steel buildings In this building type, structural members are manufactured by cold-forming the galvanized steel. Structural elements that are manufactured under control and supervision by modern machines are brought to the construction site and assembled. For this reason, human errors are minimized in light-gauge steel buildings. Additionally, as on-site manufacturing is reduced to a L minimum, errors and damages commonly seen at the More stronger, durable and easier to build
Build Issue 1 43 conditions. Profiles are It is possible to manufacture any type of design assembled by expert assembling with the light-gauge steel building system. teams at the construction site in line with the architectural Whether modern or traditional, all dwellings can plan. Only special studs are used be constructed elegantly with this system. during the assembly, no welding is done. When the assembly is done, the frame is filled with insulation materials (fiberglass, rock wool, etc.). Walls are construction site are dealt with covered with fiber cement board beforehand. Even because of Benefits to or similar materials. only these characteristics, light- builders Taking the speed of gauge steel building systems construction and credit facility are far better than conventional • Lighter than other potential into consideration, reinforced concrete buildings. framing materials; light-gauge steel building no lifting equipment system is very advantageous Buildings constructed with required on site light-gauge steel building system • Easy material in terms of costs. The primary weigh less than the reinforced selection factor increasing the costs in buildings of the same size. • Straight walls and a construction project is the Therefore, the load affecting the square corners time. Reinforced concrete building during an earthquake • Call backs due to buildings take longer time to be is less, which increases the cracks are eliminated completed. As light-gauge steel system’s earthquake resistance. • Windows and doors buildings can be completed in In other words, the load bearing open and close as a very short period of time and they should errors caused by craftsmanship capacity/weight ratio of the light- • Less scrap and waste gauge steel system is quite high. (less than 2% waste) are minimized, they are more Also, plastic deformation • Environmental selling cost-efficient in terms of money behaviors of these buildings are and green positioning and time. more efficient than reinforced It is possible to manufacture concrete buildings; therefore, any type of design with the no sudden collapses occur in Cladding light-gauge steel building an earthquake, which enables system. Whether modern or the building to remain standing options traditional, all dwellings can safely after the earthquake. be constructed elegantly with Construction phases of • Interior: fiber cement this system. Local features board, gypsum board and preferences can easily be steel buildings resemble • Exterior: fiber cement the phases of conventional board, fiber cement reflected on these buildings. reinforced concrete buildings. board panels, brick, Dwellings can be designed as The building is designed and or brick veneer detached, semi-detached, or architectural and static projects • Insulation: glass wool, terraced houses. Light-gauge are prepared. Then the steel rock wool, foam steel building system can also be frame construction starts. The insulation (makes very successfully implemented production takes place in the structure more on other building types. Social factory flawlessly. Floor, wall, energy efficient) buildings such as schools, • Roofing: GI sheet, hospitals, dormitories, nurseries, roof, etc. components of the color coated GI sheet, building are manufactured UPVC roofing sheet, malls, and marketplaces are as galvanized steel profiles in fiber cement roofing, commonly constructed public appropriate sizes. These profiles and concrete projects. As life safety is the are sent to the construction site basis of the light-gauge steel without loss, either as profiles or building system, typical ceiling as panelized parts, considering height is three meters. However, the distance of the construction it is possible to make it longer site and the transportation by using conventional rolled
44 Build Issue 1 Q & A
A light gauge steel frame house currently under construction in Ring Road, Kalanki steel components. Four-storey works, reduces material waste, Design flexibility: Because buildings constructed with and improves quality. of its strength, steel can span light-gauge steel building system Speed: This system requires longer lengths, offering larger are important, as they meet a shorter construction period open spaces and increased the needs of our people, in compared to that for a design flexibility without addition to being safe in terms conventional system. requiring intermediate columns of earthquakes. More and more Strong but lightweight: or load bearing walls. beautiful and classy garden Steel has one of the highest Recyclable: All steel products villas constructed with a fast strength-to-weight ratios of are recyclable. and economic technology are any construction material. Electrical and plumbing: offered to the public. This results in savings in the Pre-punched service holes in The construction speed of a foundation required, and the the web of the steel frame allow building may vary depending on lightness also makes for easier electrical, gas, and plumbing the size, shape, whether it has a on-site handling. services to be installed within basement floor or not, location, Safety: Steel’s inherent strength the wall framing system. Plastic and that region’s climate and and noncombustible qualities grommets and silicone seals topography. These parameters, enable light steel frame houses are used to fasten and protect without doubt, are also valid to resist such devastating wiring and pipes from corrosion for low-rise reinforced concrete events as fires, earthquakes, and damage arising from buildings. However, when light- and hurricanes. Homes can vibrations. In a light-gauge steel gauge steel buildings system is be designed to meet the framing structure, electric and compared to reinforced concrete highest seismic and wind load plumbing installation is much system, it is obvious that steel specifications in any part of the more efficient than traditional building system is quicker, and country. constructions with cement and does not cause environment and Quality: A better-quality block. Electric and plumbing noise pollution, as they come out finished house that is durable wires and tubes are typically of the factory faultlessly. and low in maintenance. distributed within the steel Easy to remodel: Remodeling framing structure and can be Why use light gauge steel? can be easily accomplished. worked on with open walls Buildability: The use of Non-load bearing walls can be or through the roofs. With prefabricated and preassembled readily relocated, removed, or this method, installation is steel components reduces site altered. easier and quicker and future
Build Issue 1 45 Q & A
Steel buildings are 5 to 10 times lighter than Does steel damage the house in time? reinforced concrete buildings. Steel absorbs No. It doesn’t get bug-infested, the earthquake energy to a great extent and doesn’t deflect, wear off, or burn. Galvanized steel doesn’t corrode. saves you and your belongings. What is the cost of the house where steel is used? It depends on the project selected. maintenance and modifications can However, it is more cost-efficient be significantly less burdensome. than a reinforced concrete house of Benefits to the same size and quality. Foundation consumers Light gauge steel is typically built • The high strength How long does it take to over traditional foundations. of steel results in construct these houses? With the advantage of the overall safe structures, It takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on structure being lighter than less maintenance, the size of the building after the traditional systems, there is a and slower aging of foundations are completed. reduction in the overall load on the structure foundation. • High earthquake What about the mechanical and resistance and less electric installations? Applications probability of damage Mechanical and electric installation in an earth quake; • Residential structures lighter structure with pipes are mounted in the walls • Social and low cost housing stronger connection and ceilings on the spots that are • Steel trusses results in less seismic identified at the stage project. • Commercial structures force • Transportable and modular • Fire safety Can we change the places of the structures • Not vulnerable to walls after the construction? termites Only non-load-bearing walls can be FAQs • Rust-free, as structure changed with the approval of the is galvanized Does steel attract lightning? engineer. • Not vulnerable to No. The protection system transmits any type of fungi or the lightning to land. organism Is the insulation of the houses • Less probability of suitable for all climates? Does steel corrode in time? foundation problems, Yes. Insulation materials are No. Galvanized structural steel is as structure is light selected according to the climate used, which doesn’t corrode. • Less probability conditions of the location of the of damage in high house. Is steel earthquake resistant? winds due to strong fastening technique Yes. The most important precaution Are there only certain types of to be taken against earthquake is to projects available? lessen the weight of the building. No. Various architectural designs Steel buildings are 5 to 10 times can be easily implemented. You lighter than reinforced concrete can either select among existing buildings. Steel absorbs the projects, or request a special earthquake energy to a great extent architectural project for yourself. and saves you and your belongings. How many floors are there in Is steel cost efficient? these houses? Yes. Fabricated load-bearing The most suitable and cost-efficient members ensure high quality for solutions are found in 1-, 2-, or reasonable prices, shorten the 3-storey houses, although LGS construction period, and reduce the structures can be constructed labor costs; steel is long-lasting. up to G+5.
46 Build Issue 1
Urban Construction feature The Last Stand Why the Government of Nepal picked a prefab complex to house their post-disaster nerve center?
Text By Rebecca Shrestha
feature
overnments around the world have continuity of government (COG) plans in place. These plans generally consist of a detailed protocol and fully-equipped complexes to house important and essential officials in case of a catastrophe, such as a nuclear fallout or natural disaster. The United States has a facility in Greenbrier, Virginia, and the Russian government has a massive mysterious complex under Mount Yamantau, while the COG headquarters for the British government is placed at Whitehall. It might come as a surprise to you, but the Government of Nepal too has a COG plan in place. However, unlike their Western counterparts, the Nepali government does not list a nuclear attack as an imminent danger, and thus does not require elaborate underground bunkers. What they have in place, instead, will pleasantly surprise you. While the entire country was thrown into chaos following the April 25 earthquake, Singha Durbar was conducting relief operations calmly and continuously from their National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC). Constructed by Aarti & Company, the prefabricated NEOC building not only withstood G the devastating earthquake and its aftershocks, but also played a key role in providing government officials a safe haven while they conducted relief and rescue work smoothly.
Former minister Bhim Rawal participating in the stone laying ceremony of the building
50 Build Issue 1
feature
The NEOC is built just north The prefabricated National Emergency Operation of the Home Ministry within the premises of Singha Durbar. Center not only withstood the devastating earthquake The project was initiated and its aftershocks, but also played a key role in on December 11, 2009, with support from the United Nations providing government officials a safe haven while Development Program (UNDP). A they conducted relief and rescue work smoothly. one-of-a-kind structure in Nepal at the time, the NEOC building was constructed with state-of- the-art prefab technology that can resist an earthquake of up introduced prefab materials 15 years have passed, and within to 7.5 M (but as we have seen, for the first time in the country. that time period, they have even stronger ones). It can resist For those who live under a constructed numerous schools, fire for about two hours, is rock and have never heard of colleges, residential homes, and termite-free, and made without prefab, it is basically anything hospitals without a hitch. using the chemical asbestos, pre-manufactured to fit a certain In normal circumstances which has been banned by the shape and size. Construction they can supply 40,000- 60,000 UN. The structure is 219 sq m, materials—whether steel, sq ft of prefab material, but and is built out of cement-based cement, or insulation—are after the earthquake, demand prefab walls, metal truss, and designed and manufactured as has risen, as people have begun basic flooring with tiles. Built for per your requirements. to understand the basics of about Rs.64, 28, 729, the building Their first project was a public prefab materials and their was inaugurated by then toilet built on a PPP model at sustainability. Mr. Maharjan Minister of Home Affairs Bhim Ratna Park that was inaugurated says, “We usually get our Rawal. This seemingly simple by then Mayor Keshav Sthapit. supplies from India, where structure is also home to satellite Their innovative concept was not they are manufactured, but communication and other state- just a conventional public toilet; post-earthquake demand has of-the-art technology that are it also included a communication risen. India itself needs a certain activated in times of crisis, like center and a coffee shop. amount, so lately, coping with the April 25 earthquake. However, there was not enough limited supplies has created a The one-storied prefab land to accommodate this brick barrier for us.” structure was one the first of structure, and so they could not As a nation, we have shifted its kind that Aarti & Company finish the project. Since then, our concentration to rebuilding made for the Government of similar structures have been and reconstructing; with Nepal. Now, however, the NEOC built in Chabahil Chowk and delegates visiting from all over structure has set a benchmark, Koteshwor recently. the world, and Nepalis sparing and has opened more Consumers are generally every rupee to reconstruct opportunities for the company concerned about the homes, temples, etc., so we must to prove themselves. They have sustainability of prefab materials look at other options. A disaster projects such as an army barrack, and the degree of safety they does not come with a warning a library for Nepal Police, etc. provide. Business Director or a guide book, and we have lined up for the government, Narendra Maharjan of Aarti & learnt the hard way that rather some of which have been already Company confidently says, “Just than binding our life savings to completed; and other projects for because the materials lack the a towering concrete building, we civilians such as schools, health thickness of a conventional RCC must move ahead to sustainable, posts, and homes. building doesn’t mean they are secure, and convenient modes The company is a pioneer not safe.” The year they initiated of living. of sorts, being the first to and completed their prefab The government has led bring prefab solutions to projects, they patiently waited the way, and thanks to the Nepal. Initially starting out as for feedback, being curious wonderful precedence set by a construction company, they themselves about whether the NEOC building, we know stuck to their basics for the first Nepalis would accept it as a that there are safe and viable few years, but after 2003, they sustainable mode of living. But alternatives.
52 Build Issue 1
Urban Construction feature Concrete Vs. Prefab Homes The recent quakes have increased interest in prefab houses, seemingly because they are safer than concrete structures.
Text By Aashis Raj Joshi
Courtesy: Aarati Prefab and Company, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu 54 Build Issue 1 he devastating earthquakes of to repair existing damage, and April 25 and May 12 have left to re-strengthen and retrofit in their wake an uncomfortable the structure so that the home sense of insecurity about the remains strong even after homes we live in. While, before several decades.” the quakes, one’s home was a The fact that reinforced fortress that gave shelter and concrete homes are capable security from the forces of of withstanding strong nature, these days we quietly earthquakes is illustrated suspect and dread that these by the vast majority of very homes may crush, rather modern concrete buildings in than protect us, should another Kathmandu that have suffered tremor hit. either only cosmetic damage There is no doubt that all of or none at all. However, we us are keen to rid ourselves of also know that in several cases, this fear and establish security seemingly well-built structures in our lives once again. To collapsed during the recent those of us whose homes quakes. were damaged or destroyed, this entails making a careful Reasons for collapsed T decision about the kind of concrete houses home we want to build now, so “The buildings that collapsed that it will become a safe haven were mostly those that were for ourselves, our families, poorly designed and were and our friends in the event of constructed out of materials of another big earthquake. inferior quality,” Mr. Shrestha explains. “In those cases, the Reinforced concrete: strong engineers and architects did and durable not consider the nature of the The established modern soil on which they were built. standard in building Often times, they put too much construction is to use concrete load for the pillars, beams, and reinforced with rods of steel the foundation to support, and to construct the pillars and so the building collapsed when beams that form the skeleton the ground shook.” of the building. “Reinforced In addition to making sure concrete is strong, durable, and that the structure, as well can withstand high stress and as the terrain on which a strain,” Mr. Santosh Shrestha, house sits, is sound, it is vital a civil engineer at UN Habitat, to ensure the integrity and explains. “A concrete house is strength of areas such as walls usually built to last between 50 so as to minimize the number and 100 years. It is important of points at which the building to know that concrete has a material or structure might fail characteristic behavior—it during an earthquake. increases in strength from “However, a building could the time of its setting up to collapse despite the best roughly 50 years, after which precautions and the soundest it gradually weakens. For older construction,” Mr. Shrestha concrete homes to be able to warns. “A lot depends on the withstand a strong earthquake, nature of the seismic waves it therefore becomes necessary that hit a location. Depending
Build Issue 1 55 feature
A concrete house is usually built to last between 50 and 100 years. It is important to know that concrete has a characteristic behavior. It increases in strength from the time of its setting up to roughly 50 years, after which it gradually weakens. Photo: ECS Media One of the first concrete houses in Kathmandu where late Ganesh Man Singh was born in November 1915 on which part of the seismic difference is that for a prefab two types of houses as well. The wave a house happens to lie home, the components—the components of prefab homes on, it might experience very walls, pillars, etc.—are built as have to be imported from other different amounts of swing a single unit in a standardized, countries into Nepal, which and shear. With bad luck, even controlled factory environment. means that the installation of a a well-built house could fall This means that there is usually prefab home does not provide victim.” a high degree of quality control employment and economic in the materials used, as well as benefit within the country, like Welcome to the world of the final product. the construction of a concrete prefab “There is also less load home does. Another technology that has on the structure of prefab “From an economic and made inroads into the world homes because they tend to be social perspective, prefab of construction in recent much lighter compared with homes do not seem viable decades is the prefabricated— concrete homes,” he adds. or sustainable to me unless often shortened to prefab—or “This means that they are less their components are made modular home. A prefab home prone to collapse during an locally out of local materials is one whose components or earthquake. Add to that the and resources, and provides sections are manufactured off- greater structural integrity of employment within the site in a factory. These sections, a prefab home—compare the country,” Mr. Shrestha says. also called modules, are then wall of a prefab home built “And, one final point: prefab transported to the building site, as a single unit to that of a companies are keen to where they are assembled like regular home built out of many emphasize the eco-friendliness a jigsaw puzzle into a structure individual bricks held together of prefab homes. But, when the we recognize as a home. by cement—and it seems that components of these homes “Prefab homes are often not prefab homes are possibly safer have to be shipped, driven, very different from regular than concrete homes.” or flown over hundreds or homes in terms of the materials He, however, urges people thousands of kilometers, how they are built out of,” Mr. to consider the economic and much fossil fuel does Shrestha points out. “The main environmental impact of the that take?”
56 Build Issue 1
Urban Construction Vox Pop
It is clear that an earthquake-prone region like ours cannot go on as it has been doing so far regarding construction. What do some individuals have to say about the newer technology like prefab?
Ajay Bista (Owner of Dinesh Lal Shrestha (IB Radio City FM) Director at Ullens School)
I made the decision to In the wake of the recent choose prefab when earthquakes, I have also built building the Radio City a bamboo house next to my FM offi ce in Sanepa more concrete home. Although it than a decade ago. It was is not a prefab home, I think perhaps the fi rst prefab the principles behind it are offi ce building in Nepal. I the same—with its bamboo am fully sati sfi ed with it. frame, plywood walls, and In all these years, I have corrugated metal roof, it is experienced no problems a light but sturdy structure with the structure, and meant to provide safe shelter there have been no during a strong earthquake. damages that have needed to be repaired. It withstood I have researched and read up on prefab buildings, their the recent earthquakes remarkably well, with no damage pros and cons, and they seem to be as safe and strong as suff ered. It required only a couple of months to set up, and properly-built concrete buildings. The one clear advantage the cost was 40% that of a concrete building of similar size. they have is that it takes very litt le ti me to set up a prefab I would recommend anyone to look into prefab if they’re structure. If we decide to construct a new building at Ullens, embarking on a new home or building. I will be sure to look into the prefab opti on.
Brinda Singh (Marketing Banita Agrawal and Communication (Director of Alok Officer,Bank of Vidyashram) Kathmandu) I intend to make a prefab I have not yet invested in a school. I knew about prefab house, but I am aware the technology before of the concept of prefab, and the earthquake but only I think it is a sound choice for decided to use it aft er the those who are thinking about earthquake. We did a lot building homes or buildings, of research into it before especially aft er the earthquakes. Prefab homes, being deciding to make prefab built out of lighter materials, seem to provide a great buildings for our school. There were obviously pros and deal of safety during a strong earthquake. We witnessed cons compared to traditi onal housing, but I am doing it for many concrete houses and buildings collapse in the recent safety and of course, the ti me saving is a big advantage. quakes, but with a prefab house, even a total collapse does But if you are opti ng for an LGSF building, you will not save not seem anywhere near as dangerous as with a concrete on costs, so do not delude yourself into making a prefab home’s collapse. I will defi nitely consider prefab if I decide school because it is a cheap, temporary replacement to a to build a new house in the future. brick and mortar structure.
Urban Construction feature How far below do you own your land?
Text By Aashis Raj Joshi
and is perhaps the most valued property in Nepal. Many of us rely on the land we own to provide us a living, be it farmers who grow crops and raise cattle on their land, or an urban dweller who operates a shop on the ground floor of her house, or a landlord who rents out the rooms of his house. Land is in some respects perhaps the closest thing we have to an eternal economic resource—unlike most resources we derive financial benefit from, land remains as it always was, doesn’t deplete or diminish, and although it’s worth may fluctuate depending upon the economic and social climate, it continues being a highly valuable and cherished commodity. Rural, agricultural land may be more important because it provides us food, but from an economic viewpoint, urban land is more precious. To own land in a city such as Kathmandu is to immerse oneself in not only its social and cultural vibrancy, but also to open oneself to a wide variety of economic and financial L opportunities. The financial benefits of owning land in a city ultimately derive from the considerations,” he explains. economic usage of the home, “For example, depending on store, or building that is the strength of the soil in a constructed on it. particular plot of land, it may Before one constructs a not be practical or safe to exceed home or building on a piece of a certain height for a building in land, there are obviously codes that location. More height above outlined by the government means more weight below, that need to be followed. and to put up mechanisms and Architects and engineers draw structures to safely support that the building plan in line with excess weight in a location with these codes, and construction weak soil might be too much of a can only get underway once the monetary strain.” city’s municipal office approves “Of course, one would the plan. In an earthquake- need to apply for and obtain a prone country like Nepal, building permit before starting these building codes are meant construction in Kathmandu to ensure that the building and other cities, be it over- or or home is structurally safe underground,” Mr. Thapa and sound, and is capable of adds. “Permits are mandatory withstanding strong tremors. in urban areas, but may not What is not specified in the be required in villages. The codes is the height and depth building bylaws and regulations to which construction can take also often vary from town to place in a plot of land. This is town or village to village, and perhaps among the reasons that this needs to be kept in mind. many people wrongly believe Even within Kathmandu, that very tall buildings are parameters such as ground unsuited to Kathmandu given coverage, floor-to-height ratio, Mr. Thapa is the President of Society of Nepalese Architects its location in a seismically and setback vary from location (SONA). He was once Joint active region. to location.” Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Kishore Thapa, the Land is a resource which gets of Physical Planning and president of the Society of passed down from generation Works and Director General Nepalese Architects (SONA), to generation in Nepal. As of the Department of Urban explains that as long as such, it is a legacy or a piece of Development and Building all buildings codes and heritage as much as a location Construction. construction regulations are to build one’s home or set up followed, there is no limit set for a business. It is therefore wise how tall a building can be built to understand the laws and in Kathmandu, nor for how deep codes that govern land usage underground it can go. This and building construction, so means that those of us who have that one can make the correct grown fearful of tall buildings choices and decisions during and homes may instead think home or building construction. about building subterranean After all, these decisions can homes to the depth that they impact the lives and well-being wish. Such undertakings will even of one’s children and surely be much more expensive grandchildren and besides, than building over-ground, a careful, informed choice but there is also no danger of or decision can mean the collapse during an earthquake. difference between life and “The only limits would be death in an earthquake-prone those that arise from practical country like ours.
Build Issue 1 61 Urban Construction feature Still Standing Tall High-rises are in the limelight today; here’s what the architect who built Silver City has to say about them.
Text By Amar B. Shrestha ittle knowledge is dangerous,” to make their assessments says Architect Debesh Raj were earthquake structural Bhattarai of Creative Circle engineering expert Scott Consultants. “Right now, not Douglas of the U.S.A., and many technical people are Richard D. Sharp, PhD, speaking up, but mostly lay Technical Director of BECA, a people are putting forward New Zealand company that has their personnel views on the in the past helped in making effects of the recent earthquake Nepal’s building code. “Their on buildings—high rises, in opinion has been unanimous: particular.” our structure is strong and He discloses that he himself sound, and has withstood the has been responsible for two earthquake’s impact effectively landmark high rises: one and performed very well.” being a 170-ft tall 15-storied “Look, we make big things, building in Bhaktapur, and we make good things,” says Ar. the other being Silver City Bhattarai. “We invest so much in Kalikasthan that is very time, money, and effort on much in the public eye at the these big projects; we ourselves moment. “Silver City is about should be the ones who are 190-ft tall with 17 stories plus most concerned. And, we are.” ground floor and basement,” In his view, the high degree L of public criticism is harming he informs. “Yes, it has suffered some minor manifestation of the reputation of the country’s damages, only limited to the experts in this sector. He says, non structural filler walls and “We wish people would look external cladding. The structure also at the good things being is unaffected.” According to done by us.” him, its promoter and few more He feels that instead of of his clients owning multistory the investor, the government buildings have already spent a should take some of the blame, substantial amount to bring in a since it is their responsibility global earthquake engineering to make sound policies and company, Miyamoto implement them consistently. International, to make an Also, that our related ministry expert assessment of a couple of still lacks a R&D wing for buildings, including Silver City. alternative construction “Dr. Kit Mayomoto, the material and technology. company’s CEO, said that He also adds that, after the he was impressed by its massive quake, experts in engineering design, and that Nepal and India are of the structurally, it was sound,” says view it is high time that they Ar. Bhattarai. He also adds, “In upgrade their building code to fact, other international experts the next level. “Our building have also examined this project, code is formulated more for experts like a team from collapse-prevention, the basic Tokyo Institute of Technology requirement to live safely,” he under Professor Susuma (Sam) says. “In light of the fact that a Kono. They actually wanted building code for high rises for to take a copy of the design immediate occupancy is still to understand it better; they lacking, we follow the Indian were really admiring it. Some building code. Some of the other international experts experts wanted to know what
Build Issue 1 63 feature
He feels that instead of the investor, the government should take some of the blame, since it is their responsibility to make sound policies and implement them consistently.
building code we used, and my reply was that we used all codes meant for earthquake safety on Zone 5!” He also reveals that one of the international experts was of the view that we use too much of brickwork in Nepal, ECS Media Photo: and that we should be making Silver City Apartment at Kalikasthan more use of latest technological advancements in methods to do the necessary ‘stitching’. question about whether soil and materials in our future We can also create vertical quality is paramount to choosing buildings to mitigate seismic joints between walls, including such a site, he says, “Soil testing impact on non-structural lateral ties, so that they become is only a part of the whole. elements. In this regard, more flexible and perform Actually, you can build anything vis-à-vis high rises, he says, well during earthquakes. In anywhere, provided you use “Now is the time to strongly other cases, we can upgrade the right materials and the advocate the use of lightweight the building by making shear right technology.” To another pre-fabricated material on the walls and dampers. But, in the question about the quality of higher floors, that is, above the case of dampers, we do not steel rods (the backbone of any fifth or sixth floors of all new have enough technology in construction) produced in the high rises. That would be a Nepal.” He also adds that when country, he says, “In my opinion, sensible thing to do. ” upgrading structures, they will the quality is excellent. You As for repairing/upgrading/ have to document details of must realize that nowhere in the retrofitting the existing everything from materials used world will you get perfect steel.” damaged high rises, he says to methods applied, so that Remembering the immediate that this is a highly scientific any questions and doubts in days after the April 25 and extremely technical work the future can be answered to earthquake, he discloses, “I went requiring a high degree of satisfaction. around the valley to see the expertise. “However, repairing Ar. Bhattarai believes that damages caused by the quake, brickwork, which is prevalent having certain specific sites for and I was actually surprised in most of the buildings in making high rises may be a good and pleased to see that so many Kathmandu, is not that difficult. idea, and says, “Again, it comes buildings were all right. This is In extreme cases, such walls down to government policy. In a true reflection of our abilities. have to be brought down and the past, they have allowed high Yes, we have done many good rebuilt; in most cases, we can rises to be built haphazardly things, which really demand due use high strength polymer grout all around the valley.” To a appreciation.”
64 Build Issue 1
Urban Construction Q & A Rebuilding The Miyamoto Way A global earthquake structural engineering company, Miyamoto International’s hallmarks are swift response, vast experience, and great expertise.
Text By Amar B. Shrestha
ts response was swift. Miyamoto International, a global earthquake structural engineering company, sent experts from three countries to Nepal within 48 hours of the Great April 25 Earthquake. Earthquake structural engineers are a special breed of specialists. They are crucial after a large quake to evaluate the structural stability of buildings and advise people about whether it’s safe or not to re-enter their homes. Besides this, they also advise on how to retrofit, strengthen, and rehabilitate still-standing structures. Keeping in mind the fact that much of the destruction was faced by villages in the hills, Miyamoto CEO Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto said that brick and stone buildings are fine if the right methodology is used for rural construction, but if used improperly, they could be dangerous. He added that his company had developed a transition steel structure system that could be converted to permanent traditional houses later on. As far as urban areas were concerned, they found that brick was used I extensively and installation was done without much of a consequence Reinforce existing strength Courtesy:NSET,Bhainsepati,Lalitpur
Build Issue 1 67 Q & A
In Kathmanadu, many new concrete frames performed well as far as life safety aspect is concerned, but non-structural damages are significant, and many buildings are useless.
with concrete frames. According to the CEO, such structures could be built back safer and better using newer technology and methods. He also feels that the country’s building code only provides for basic collapse prevention during major earthquakes, and that there were ways to provide much better performance at minimum costs. The company’s experience is vast, as is its expertise in managing post-disaster situations, ranging from earthquakes in Haiti, Japan, and China to Italy, Turkey, and New Zealand. After the 7.0-M earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Miyamoto International played the lead role in assessing 430,000 buildings, and reconstructing 12,000 houses. The CEO says that he is eager to demonstrate how cost-effective, high-performance engineering can result in much safer structures. We asked him a few questions pertinent to the current post- earthquake situation in Nepal. Here are his responses.
Where are the experts from, which countries? We are located in all 4 continents, 11 countries, including US and Japan.
How many commercial properties, schools, hospitals, and homes have you assessed for damage until now? We have done assessment of over 60 projects so far. Photo: ECS Media Photo: What is the general process of more severely damaged, without due regard for assessing damage? maybe due to similar compatibility with concrete We use both ATC 20 and DUDBC structural faults? frames, and that house can be damage assessment protocol. In Kathmandu, many tall built again safer and better. ATC 20 is an international buildings are damaged due to How can this be done? standard. Currently, we are resonance to long motion soft This can be done by adding conducting a lot of detailed soil. right reinforcement and joints assessments and repair and in bricks, but adding higher strengthening assessments. What role do materials and strength and stiffness by methodology play in making shear walls and more energy What have you gathered from a building less prone to dissipation by dampers in also the assessment? collapse? important. In Kathmandu, many new It is critical to use state-of- concrete frames performed art technique and proper Can you tell us something well as far as life safety aspect supervision. In some cases, about the transitional steel is concerned, but nonstructural construction cost can be higher, structure system that can be damages are significant, and but one can achieve better converted into permanent many buildings are useless. performance. traditional houses in villages? This is something we developed Are there certain types of An expert has observed with a local private sector here. buildings that have been that bricks have been used It is a cost effective system.
Does Your House Need Retrofitting? How do I know whether my the intensity of the 2015 Gorkha house needs earthquake earthquake with 7.6 magnitude is retrofitting? estimated at 7 MMI of shaking, The first thing you should know is whereas the potential shaking level that if your house is not designed and of a larger earthquake in Kathmandu constructed with earthquake resistant is 10 MMI, such as the 8.4 magnitude features, then you need a retrofit, earthquake in 1934 (1990 B.S.). There irrespective of whether it was built is a high potential of this house being recently or is an old one. The following damaged, or of total collapse, in case of are features of an unsafe or vulnerable higher level of shaking. Mr. Bijay Krishna Upadhyay house: is the director of NSET’s 1. Longer than three times the breadth, How big an earthquake will a community based disaster and higher than three times the width retrofitted house go through risk management division. of the house. without damage? Currently working as an 2. Large windows and less number of Well, it depends on the level of earthquake technology walls. seismic strengthening design you training specialist at 3. Doors and windows are in the corners. will employ. Normally, buildings are NSET, he is engaged in 4. Large openings on the ground floor designed to be retrofitted so that the formulating, planning, for shops and garage, and walls on the building can be stable in the largest and implementing various upper floors. potential shaking of earthquake. For projects on disaster risk 5. Walls do not follow the same vertical example, the buildings in Kathmandu reduction at the community alignment. should be retrofitted for a life safety level. He has good 6. Rooms on cantilevered portions. up to 10 MMI of shaking. “Life Safety” experience of working for of a building means that even if the natural disaster victims, My house has been through building were to collapse during a having worked for quake several earthquakes. Does that large earthquake, the inhabitants will victims in Pakistan, as well mean that it does not need to not be crushed by a sudden collapse, as for tsunami victims in be strengthened? but it will take ample time so that India. Not at all, it depends on the intensity they can evacuate the building with of shaking of an earthquake, like their property.
Build Issue 1 69 Urban Construction Discussion
How safe are high-rises in Kathmandu Valley?
Text By Illustrations By Anandeeta Gurung Hem Kumar Limbu
n 25 April 2015, a great earthquake of magnitude 7.9 hit Nepal. Thousands of people died and millions worth of property was damaged. We lost several historically and architecturally significant monuments including Dharahara- a landmark of Kathmandu. Many structurally weak buildings collapsed right in front of us reminding us of the saying often quoted, “It is the building that kills people, not earthquakes”. This invincible power of nature made us realize how puny we humans are in front of nature. The aftershocks came and terrorized us all. We soon began searching for open spaces around us- as a result, public places like Tundikhel, party venues, Birendra International Conference Hall, Golf fields were filled with people clustered with their families, sheltering inside bright orange and blue tarpaulins sheets. While many of the citizens swore, they will never build houses taller than single storey, many of them lamented about high buildings that posed as a threat to their otherwise safe single storey house. News about high-rises destroying adjacent earthquake resistant house, cracks developed in gigantic apartments and red stickers around several high-rises raised alarm. Why are these high-rises being built amidst residential O houses? Are these high-rises necessary? How high can you really build? What can we do now? Questions like these must have risen in your minds. In this month, to satiate your curiosity, we have interviewed four personalities who will answer your queries.
70 Build Issue 1 September 2015 How high can you really go? Everything should be in walking distance when you are creating a high-rise or else, imagine the traffic it would create if all the people living in high-rise apartments started having their own vehicle.
have more infrastructure than but we also have to accept the Delhi which is untrue. So, fact that times are changing in my opinion, it’s not due to and we need to move on now. architects, engineers, builders, Having said that, I would not or investors that we have high- want to make an exact replica Sanjay Bahadur rise. We have high-rise because of the monuments we lost. We Thapa of the faulty regulations. Hence, can creatively innovate and I think we need to revise and improvise on our traditional lessen our FAR. Knowing that buildings to meet our present Architect Thapa is a founding we have little infrastructure, I day requirements. I think architect of ArchiPlan SBT. He don’t understand how the policy the city fabric, pedestrian did his undergrad at School makers have made FAR twice environment; historical of Planning and Architecture, as much as Delhi. In addition, squares, which we had, were Delhi and Masters from Harvard we have blanket regulations. It unparallel. In fact, a scale University Graduate School of is absurd that you can make a model of Patan Durbar Square Design, USA. He then worked high rise in the center of the city, is displayed at Harvard Design for four years there and worked in the suburbs, and also on top School’s library. Medium rises as a Project Architect at Hyaat of a hill. There is no zoning of can be built with traditional Regency, Bouddha. He has been land use as such. We lack mass flavor with shops, restaurants designing residential buildings, transit points and zoning. As we and galleries around. hospital, houses, hotels and go away from the core center However, on the other hand, schools for 25 years. of the city, the FAR should be we do need big buildings too. decreasing. Everything should Q What is your perception be in the walking distance when Should we reconstruct about high-rises in Kathmandu you are creating a high-rise or Dharahara? Valley? else, imagine the traffic it would Every building that has High-rise is a building that needs create if all the people living in some historical value must a lot of infrastructure— proper high-rise apartments started be rebuilt. Maybe we did roads, 24 hours of electricity, having their own vehicle. not notice it earlier but water, sewage system among Apartments are actually now when it is not there, others. However, in our context, targeted to those people who the void is more noticeable! city’s infrastructure is non- cannot afford to build houses Dharahara was a landmark existent and makes it very costly in the city. But here, because for us and we should rebuild for people to live and manage of the increased maintenance it. It is also an opportunity for here. cost, the prices of high-rises are us to put things in order. We If I have to talk about skyrocketing. Instead of high- are traditional about the raw Kathmandu’s high-rises, I would rises, we can have a medium materials of the buildings we say, we are overbuilding. If we rise. Building cost would also make. As a professional, we were to build an apartment or decrease and we can target it to are stuck on beautification, hotel in Kathmandu, we have specific group of clients. decoration and cosmetics. to build it according to our Bi- We can explore the building Laws. According to our Bi-law, Q How do you think we should types because brick and Kathmandu’s residential FAR rebuild now? How do you concrete is not the only thing is double than that of Delhi. think future Kathmandu houses are made of. This is a FAR is directly linked to the should be like? time to think of restructuring infrastructure we have. So, There are some people, who are the city in a more the general logic is that we romantic about our tradition, sustainable way.
72 Build Issue 1 September 2015 Discussion
necessary. As a capital city, with to do proper geo-technical a mere 20-30 lakh population, investigation, foundation we cannot compete globally. design, and structural design. The people here want to Instead of conventional design, enjoy the services enjoyed in go for performance-based Bangkok, Manila and Delhi design. With this, I hope in and for that, we must raise the course of time, people can our standards. The current be confident enough to live in population of Kathmandu, high-rises. which is some 60-70 lakhs, is a reasonable value. However, Q How do you think we if the government thinks the should rebuild now? How do city’s population should be you think future Kathmandu Surya Raj Acharya stopped at 350-400 thousand, should be like? then they could introduce a One of the opportunities we new policy. However, if we have for Kathmandu is that it Acharya is keen on were to control the population is a mixed city. In my opinion, Infrastructural Policy and now, we would need a very zoning makes the city dead. teaches at Pulchowk Campus. rigid rules and regulations. Let Kathmandu be the “live” He completed his PhD from We will have to restrict the city, with different activities. A Tokyo University, Japan and his movement and resident permit building can have downstairs overall interest is to learn about of people towards Kathmandu, as a saloon; upstairs as a infrastructural policy in urban which would not be feasible. restaurant, where there is an development. So according to the market art gallery for artists nearby trend, whether we like it or and office somewhere. Also as Q What is your perception not, the future population a post-modern architecture, about high-rises in trend is likely to grow. The this is considered as something Kathmandu Valley? tools to manage this ever- good. If the government is In my opinion, the problem growing population would be smart enough to address this we are facing with high-rise is a compact, high density and problem at policy level, I see because we did not do enough planned city. Planners can the future of Kathmandu being homework. We did not have strive to create such a city where very bright. We can have a complete set of laws, rules public transport is competitive, vibrant, compact, high density and regulations. General comfortable, cheap and city and eventually also forms land use control might not be reliable. It will also have high of mass transit. If you consider possible in Kathmandu since it productivity and opportunity the cost, it is expensive but is a historic city but stringent for interaction (imagine how given the wealth of city, with measures that restrict the many meetings an executive can high quality mass transit base construction of high-rise in attend in this core city). If this with high-rises; Kathmandu certain areas of Kathmandu is how we envision Kathmandu can easily accommodate 7-8 are still possible. We need to as, then high-rise is a must in million people. In addition, follow certain standards when Kathmandu. given our climatic condition, it comes to high-rise because Technically, it is possible where winter is warm and we are talking about building and doable to make earthquake summer is cool, Kathmandu is structures in bulk here. From resistant high-rise building. I likely to thrive as a productive a basic economic viewpoint, think recent news about how capital. it also makes a lot of sense Kathmandu’s geo-technical to adopt more stringent and is weak is an irresponsible Q Should we reconstruct conservative design approach statement professionally. There Dharara? for high-rises, something known are cities that have far worse We should. As a common as- “Performance based design geo-technical conditions than citizen, I think we should build standard”. Kathmandu and have many the exact same replica, strong From the viewpoint of an earthquake resistant high- enough to withstand a high Urban Planner, high-rise is rises. In the future, we have magnitude of earthquake.
Build Issue 1 September 2015 73 Discussion
as you want, depending upon disaster mitigation plans come how you wanted to build it. into effect. I think, our city’s Unfortunately, on the pretext of model should not be based making the process scientific, on high-rises only. Ours is a despite 30 years of donor historical walking city- just projects, we ended up with a like Copenhagen and Vienna- mess. since this is our heritage we However, FAR alone cannot need to build it as it is of control the growth of a city course, with new technology. properly. We need “zoning” too As for rebuilding in villages, i.e., what we can build, where. it should be done in the way Unfortunately, zoning only the villagers have been doing remained on paper. As a result, traditionally with a supportive now we can build a 20-storey structural cage that prevents building next to a small house. collapse of the walls. Even Arun Dev Pant From a simple regulation, I the poorest of the poor think, planners turned into a know how to build a house complex one and made this city but they just do not know He is a practicing architect chaotic. Now, a proper land use how to build an earthquake at Design Cell, Naxal. Pant plan must be made and zoning resistant house. All we have graduated from Naagpur can be done where possible to do is modify the structural University, India in Architecture so that high rises can be built system so that the roof does and pursued Masters in Urban together (not in the middle not fall on their heads. Nepali Planning. He has also worked of some 2 storey building) at villagers can build their house on several architectural designs certain land area after checking within 3-5 months. We want to in Kathmandu, India and Tibet. the soil quality (not prone to intervene with these changes He also helps in planning and liquefaction and other factors). during the rebuilding process gives feedback to planners In addition, there should be so that others can replicate through Society of Nepalese enough light and ventilation too. I am advocating partial Architects (SONA). for high-rises. With such kind prefab components to make of planning, it is not difficult to it lighter. We can use prefab Q What is your perception build high rises because there materials for the triangular about high-rises in are technologies where we portion of the house. I support Kathmandu Valley? can build earthquake resistant customized Nepali designs, Almost 30 years ago, Building buildings. using technology for structure Laws (henceforth By-Laws) and quicker construction to inside the city allowed five Q How do you think we should make it safer. storeys as a building height rebuild now? How do you limit and outside the valley think future Kathmandu Q Should we reconstruct had a three storey building should be like? Dharahara? height limit. It was a simple At first, the city’s vision plan Dharahara was a Muslim regulation. Later, complications must be developed. The vision Minaret with a neoclassical started when urbanization plan is something where the touch and had gothic arches occurred at a haphazard rate entire population is involved. of British flavor. Historians and the policy makers thought People in the city should feel have said that it is a message it would be better to “zone” the that they have been consulted. to all the British that we stand land and scientists introduced There is around 30% of land in tall despite all the attempts the concept of FAR (Floor Area Kathmandu, which is free from to rule us. However, many Ratio) (FAR in a laymen’s term flooding and liquefaction- this people say that it should be is “How high can you build data can be used to determine a war memorial. I think it in a certain area”). Height where future high rises can should rebuilt as a symbol of restriction was confined to be built. After making a vision re-growth. Personally, I cannot the core city and rest of the plan, then only do the by- imagine Kathmandu without land was left to build as much laws, transportation plans and Dharahara.
74 Build Issue 1 September 2015
Discussion
Constructing high-rise in less dense areas threatens the community nearby and consumes high resources, affecting the low-rises nearby.
rise, one must make sure we should take our traditional have enough facilities. Since pattern of settlement as floors above five require lifts, an inspiration for compact it is essential to have 24 hour settlement. Urban sprawl is electricity. Immediate services not sustainable because we such as fire escapes, facility cannot provide infrastructure of immediate evacuation and maintain it. Urban sprawl are crucial and constructing will cost the public more time Surya Bhakta high-rises without these to move around thus compact Sangachhe would be a foolish thing to settlements are encouraged. do. In our country, where the urban economy, construction Q How do you think we should technology is still developing rebuild now? How do you Sangachhe is an Urban and where we have low think future Kathmandu Planner and a Senior Technical institutional capacity, it is should be like? Advisor at National Society unwise to build high-rises. Kathmandu has its own for Earthquake technology Even if we are to make high- unique identity. I think we Nepal (NSET). He also works rise, we cannot make them must preserve its architecture, for Public, Private Partnership everywhere. High-rises imply cultural heritages and strive 3PERM for Earthquake Risk high density of people in a small to make it as it was before. Management. He has been area. Constructing high-rise We should also take into working in the sector of Urban in less dense areas threatens consideration its ethnically Development for the last 30 the community nearby and diverse population, existing years. consumes high resources, architecture, monument and affecting the low-rises nearby. natural beauty around it. Earlier Q What is your perception To accommodate the growing study showed that we should about high-rises in population, instead of 2-3 floor maintain valley’s 40% settlement Kathmandu Valley? houses we can make town area and 60% area on greenery Before we decide whether to houses of 4 storey uniform and I still vouch for it. Since have a high rise, we should houses (medium density) which our valley is bowl shaped it is first make sure whether we will accommodate 800/900 necessary to maintain fresh air are abiding by certain policies. people of density per hectare. because of the anthropogenic However, even if these rules For e.g. we can make 4 storey dust and pollution. and regulations are made and houses at Baneswhor with open followed, chances are these spaces and big roads so that we Q Should we reconstruct could not be “effective rules”. can accommodate more people. Dharahara? The building codes, which we Even though the initial In my personal view, it is a have right now, allow up to five capital investment can be done symbol, a historical monument, stories. Beyond that, we have by managing from different and we should definitely been using building codes of grants and projects, the rebuild it. I don’t mind if we are foreign countries. We have yet maintenance of the high-rises to make new temples as long as to develop stringent building needs many resources, which we maintain and reconstruct codes and laws. will be difficult. Thus, compact the older ones. If we don’t Another basic thing to settlement with sufficient open reconstruct Dharahara, it will consider before constructing a spaces (notice how old cities only act as an excuse to not high-rise is the infrastructure. such as Ason have chowks – a reconstruct other monuments Before designing any high- small open space). I think we too.
76 Build Issue 1
Urban Construction feature The Art of Retrofitting
A word bandied about a lot nowadays is, retrofitting. What is it exactly?
Text By Vijayshree Sukhani
y definition, retrofitting means to add a component or accessory that wasn’t there earlier. The ‘components’ or ‘accessories’—had they been provided to existing buildings—could have sa ved a lot of lives during the recent earthquake crisis. Regarding the art of retrofitting, we talked to Dr. Prachand Man Pradhan, Assistant Professor and acting Head of Department, Department of Civil and Geomatics Engineering (DCGE), Kathmandu University, who holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering. His area of expertise is structural engineering, with the focus on earthquake resistant design. He defines retrofitting simply as strengthening buildings later to resist future earthquakes. As technical terms are not understood by most of us, we asked him to explain in simple layman terms. He explained that while reinforced concrete (RC) buildings are popular in Nepal, most of them are seismically vulnerable. The major reason being: the concerned engineer/architect may not be adequately or formally trained in earthquake resistant design (EQRD) and construction. Besides, masons involved in the construction are also likely to be unaware of EQRD technology. The quality of construction materials not being tightly controlled, also leads to deficiency B78 Build Issue 1 Improving Yesterday For Today Photographer: ECS Media Photographer:
Build Issue 1 79 feature
Dr. Pradhan says that there are no fixed rules, as a binding agent, and base isolations through elastomeric but the cost of retrofitting should not exceed rubber or neoprene pads are also 35% of the initial cost of the building. And, most sometimes used for retrofitting works. Supplemental energy important is the eye of the engineer. He should dissipation unit (EDU) braces, be able to assess every nook and corner of the which work as viscous dampers, are being used globally, and may composition and make a sound judgment. soon be applicable in Nepal, too. Though they are costly, they are very effective.” In his knowledge, the in buildings. The threat that hospitals need to be retrofitted, government was already these loopholes bear can be as do educational institutions retrofitting some buildings before catastrophic, as structures get and structures designed the recent calamity, with Patan damaged, or may even collapse, according to the old codes. Hospital and some government causing casualties. Establishments that are new, schools being among the first to but have deficient design and be so retrofitted. His own team When and what to retrofit? construction, and buildings has been working on new and On being asked about the that have resisted the past fast approaches, which involve need of retrofitting, he replied, earthquake but have become faster calculations without “Retrofitting may be done weak, also need retrofitting.” compromising safety. The new before an earthquake to prevent methods are adapted keeping the future damage, or afterwards, to What criteria to consider principles of retrofitting intact. To strengthen and repair damaged when retrofitting? make the process understandable components.” He added that On the criteria for retrofitting, to all, he breaks it down in it is very important to know he said, “In the case of simple terms—the structure is that retrofitting is cheaper than monuments, we have to look remodeled and analyzed for its building a new structure, and at them very differently, as existing condition, regardless of the time taken to do so is also sentiments are attached to damage; the area of steel required significantly less. However, the such structures. They may is calculated for columns and thing to consider is, how does be subjects of national pride, beams; and the calculated one decide whether a structure and could have architectural steel area is compared with needs retrofitting or has to be importance globally. They the structural drawings of the demolished? Dr. Pradhan says have to be retrofitted keeping building. In case the steel is that there are no fixed rules, but aesthetics in mind. Other than insufficient in the old building, the cost of retrofitting should that, the technical criteria has additional steel is provided with not exceed 35% of the initial to be followed, that is, jacketing, sufficient jacketing in columns cost of the building. And, most advancement of the strength of and beams. If there are other important is the eye of the structure, grouting, shear wall, damages, such as cracked walls engineer. He should be able to escalating ductility and strength, with crushed brick, cement grout assess every nook and corner bracing, base isolation.” with admixture is provided. of the composition and make a He explained further, “The Simple hairline cracks in beams sound judgment. Another thing universal factors for selecting can be epoxy-grouted, or FRP to take into consideration is the retrofitting technique would wrappings can be provided to risk involved while retrofitting. be a cost/benefit analysis and strengthen the damaged beams. Masons and engineers are inside the availability of materials Dr. Pradhan is currently the structure during the repair such as cement-grout mixed involved in retrofitting design work, and they should not be with admixtures. Concrete of work of a number of buildings exposed to risk. at least 5 N/mm2 stronger than damaged due to the April 25 According to him, “One the existing concrete, polymers earthquake. He is also playing simple rule is: after an such as FRP, CFRP, SFRP, GFRP, a key role in starting Master in earthquake of magnitude 7.5 etc., are essentially used in Structural Engineering course, Richter or more, it is advisable retrofitting works. Epoxy, which from September, in Kathmandu to retrofit. Structures like is stronger than concrete, works University.
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r. H. Kit Miyamoto is installing viscous dampers at Neupane Tower, a commercial office building, and a monumental monastery building in Kathmandu. Seismic dampers absorb the impact of ground shaking during an earthquake, which reduces the stress on the structure. According to him, it is a very cost-effective method due to the surgical approach taken, whereby only what needs to be fixed is fixed. Here’s more on viscous dampers from the international expert.
Q What is your assessment of high-rise buildings in Kathmandu? The earthquake caused little structural damage to high- rise buildings in Kathmandu, but some of them were nonetheless unfit to live in due to severe wall cracks. Though they are structurally sound, they have cracks in walls and plasters. That is why we are installing shock-absorbing devices in Neupane Tower and the monastery to dissipate the seismic energy. We want to make sure the buildings are build back better so they are safe to inhabit even in future earthquakes. This is a big issue here. If you go and see these high-rise apartments, you will notice that most damages are concentrated in lower stories. This is due to the valley’s topography. The valley used to be a lake long ago. D When buildings shake during an earthquake, the deep soft soil here causes the ground to sway for a long time. If the vibrational period of the soil matches that of such high rise buildings, the buildings resonate Q Many buildings have been damaged in the valley. How do you with great amplitude. As they see the scope of dampers for future buildings in Kathmandu resonate, brick walls and plasters vis-à-vis the existing and new ones? absorb the massive energy Both the public and the private sector have shown a great interest generated. Higher buildings in dampers. People are doing a lot of seismic strength retrofitting have a longer period and so these days. I think such technology has a lot of scope. there is more damage in tall buildings than the smaller ones. This particular swaying motion This would be an extremely Q How long does it take to is also attributed to the deeper expensive process because it install one damper? damages in lower levels than would involve pulling all the 30 minutes. the higher ones. When buildings walls apart. sway, something has to give to Q What do you think of absorb the energy. But, believe it Q What types of buildings are the measures taken by or not,we should be thankful that suitable for dampers? builders up till before the the walls absorbed the energy Dampers are mainly suggested earthquake? Do you think and not the frame, because they for big commercial or residential they were good? protected the structural elements buildings. As for small homes, In the context of Nepal, I think like columns and beams. If the reinforced concrete shear walls there is a lot of misleading walls had not cracked, the energy might be a good option. Shear marketing. The public generally would have been transferred to walls are concrete panels that holds the misconception that the structure causing permanent run through the entire hight of structures built in compliance damage, and even the building the building, but they need to with the building codes will would have collapsed. be pre-designed. This technique withstand up to a particular can be used in both existing and intensity of earthquakes. But Q What are viscous dampers? new structures. what does it mean to withstand Imagine you are driving on an earthquake? Some people a bumpy road. If you have a Q Where do we get these think it means no cracks and shock absorber, you will not dampers from? others think that if a building feel the impact of bumps and They are purchased from the doesn’t collapse, it qualifies as jolts. The dampers do the same American, Japanese, or Italy a building that has withstood. thing to buildings. They absorb based manufacturers. There are There is a huge gap between the energy produced by ground distributers in Delhi. the society’s expectations and shaking, and protect the frames engineering practice here. The and walls of the building. Q What are the different gap that exists between what types of damping devices? people expect from the building Q How much is the cost? There are four types: viscous code and what happens to It depends on the type, size, and dampers, steel dampers, yielding buildings after an earthquake number of shock absorbers you dampers, and friction dampers. despite being built to code) is might need. The building will You pick one based on the not an issue in Nepal only, but be analyzed before dampers building type. worldwide. In engineering, if are installed. You basically a building does not collapse, fix what you need to fix. This Q Who will do the although it is inhabitable and surgical approach makes it installation? non-functional, it still conforms very cost effective. This type of The installation will be done by to the Building Code’s intent. We high-tech devices are not only local contractors. It is very easy. need to get people to understand meant for developed countries. that the building code just We have used it in places like Q How do you insure they ensures a minimum life safety. Haiti and Dominican Republic. have done a good job? It only assures that you will be When I recently visited a First, the Nepali engineers able to run out when the major construction site in Kathmandu, will have to be trained for shaking happens. It never says the engineers there demanded construction inspection, and the that people should be able to get that each column of the building installation process needs to be back to their houses and stay should be strengthened. supervised. inside after a quake.
Build Issue 1 83 Urban Construction Q & A Komatsu, Specialist of Construction and Demolition Till now, most of us thought that it was construction that was the most difficult part of the building industry, now we are realizing that demolition is as difficult.
Text By Tanka Pd Bhatta GM, Continental Trading Enterprises Q What construction and Q Do you apply the same stories. Best way is explosion demolition equipments do technique to demolish through carefully orchestrated you have? small structures and bigger method. In Nepal’s context, We have been distributing structures? What are the use of explosives is not easily Komatsu heavy equipment in basic steps to demolish a permitted. For these buildings, Nepal for three decades now. house with machines? manual labor with the use of These include excavators, We haven’t actually used portable pneumatic breakers bulldozers, loaders, back-hoe the machines to demolish is the common option. loaders, and attachments like any house in Nepal. But, big rock breakers, primary crushers, buildings use excavators Q What is the best pulverizers, and grapples that attached with breaker, equipment to remove small can be used for demolition. primary crusher, pulverizer, scale structures? and grapple. However, for For small scale structures, a Q How is demolition or small houses, the machines mini excavator or back-hoe construction by machine would be too big. Excavators, loader should do. different from manual small ones, can come in handy method? to clear out debris in places Q What are the costs of these It’s quicker and easier done like Bhaktapur, Balaju, or machines? with the use of only a few Sankhu. These machines start from people. But there should NRs. 3.7 million onwards. be proper access for these Q What are the various All machines, however, vary machines to reach the affected demolition methods? according to their function area. Besides the manual method and capacities. with hammers and traditional Q How much faster is it to tools, the super-long front Q Do we have controlled demolish with machines than excavator attached with demolitions in Nepal using with manual labor? primary crusher, pulverizer, explosives? If not, when can Demolition of a cemented grapple, and rock breaker we expect such technologies house, say three-storied, which are used for demolition. to come in? usually takes 15 days for four In developed countries, The hydropower sector and laborers a day, may take only explosives are also commonly Nepal Army use explosives about three days with an used to demolish big buildings. for making tunnels. We don’t operator, and a few helpers for have any company/expertise clearing out the debris, should Q What are the safety so far for these types of work. they use proper attachments precautions in demolition Due to strict regulations with the machinery. and dismantling? about explosives, this seems a Some precautions are: possibility only in the distant Q Are you looking to bring • Civilians/bystanders should future. in new technologies and be at a safe distance before machines in light of the mass starting the demolition job Q How can a layman demolition that is needed • Use construction nets go about hiring these in the country after the around the building machines to demolish their earthquake? If so, what are • Insure that the adjacent private homes? How many they? buildings are safe to the companies provide these We already have been vibrations that may be services to the general importing excavators, back-hoe generated while demolishing public? loaders, and rock breakers, an affected building There are a number of which can be used for the companies that hire out purpose. Beside rock breaker, Q What is the equipment various shapes and sizes of we are planning to import needed to demolish high-rise heavy equipment. Heavy attachments such as primary apartments and buildings Equipment Association crushers, pulverizers, and more than three storey high? of Nepal is the umbrella grapples, which are more Excavators are not good for organization that can help you effective for demolition work. high-rise buildings above 6 to find out more.
Build Issue 1 85 Urban Construction Myth Vs. Fact The earthquake(s) and aftershocks of recent months have also resulted in a flurry of confusing statements flying around, here’s what’s myth and what’s fact.
Text By Aashis Raj Joshi
Underground water tanks are Rooftop gardens increase the risk swings, in which case there is a lot vulnerable to rupture during strong of roof collapse. of stress on shorter buildings and ground shaking. Myth. An engineer will have taken the lower floors of tall buildings. In Myth. A properly designed and built into account the total load that a such a case, a tall building could be underground water tank is as capable building’s framework will have to safer, all other things being equal. of withstanding an earthquake as a carry, including furniture, home But, if a seismic wave causes short properly designed and built building appliances, marble floors and swings, a shorter building could be foundation. An engineer will take surfaces, and rooftop gardens (in safer, because in this case the entire into consideration many parameters, case owners plan to have them) structure of a tall building would including the type of soil and the while designing the building. Unless experience stress. nature of the seismic waves likely to the building design did not originally hit that region, while designing an take into account such extra loads, a Houses built on fill soil are more underground water tank, so as to rooftop garden does not increase the vulnerable during natural disaster, ensure that it can survive a strong likelihood of collapse. such as earthquakes and landslides. earthquake. Fact. Fill soil has usually not had Filling up rooftop water tanks enough time to become compacted, Excessive underground boring completely is risky in seismic zones. and hence is not strong enough saved several buildings from Myth. As stated above, a properly to support buildings. Pillars and collapsing in different parts of designed building has taken into foundations of buildings need to stand Kathmandu. account all possible loads that its on the original ground, even though it Myth. While it is possible that structure will have to carry, and this may be several feet below the fill soil. excessive underground boring could includes water tanks filled to the brim. lead to less liquefaction in the event If anchored securely, rooftop water The topmost floors of a building are of an earthquake by causing the tanks pose no risk in seismic areas. safer than the ground floor. water table to fall, there are many Depends: As stated in #5, it depends other parameters that have much Shorter buildings are safer than on the type of shaking that occurs larger say in determining whether a taller ones. High-rises are not during an earthquake. If the shaking building collapses or not. The main suitable for Kathmandu. has a large swing or amplitude, the ones are whether the building is built Myth. Shorter buildings are not top floors could be safer, while in case strongly enough to be able to hold necessarily safer than taller ones, and of a shorter swing or amplitude, the its load during an earthquake, and in many cases, taller buildings can be lower floors could be safer. the strength of the soil it is built on. safer. A lot depends on the nature of Excessive underground boring might, the seismic waves and the location (Based on Q/A with Mr. Santosh in fact, cause the ground to become of the building. In some locations, Shrestha, a civil engineer at UN- weaker and sink during an earthquake. the seismic wave might cause long HABITAT)
Urban Construction feature Are We Adult Enough?
Text By Sunil Kumar Shrestha, CEO, E3 Security Solutions Pvt, Ltd.
fire doesn’t come with a ringing of bells like a fire truck does when rushing to a fire. Why are we Nepalis (except a few) not more aware about fire safety, or are we neglecting it because there has been no such incident in our homes or other premises that we use? Why are we not more aware, even knowing that such a hazard could put our own lives at risk? Why don’t you want to spend just Rs.2 per day for you and your properties’ safety from fire hazards? Are we still waiting for such a disaster to occur on our premises? Is that only when we will believe that we should keep at least one fire extinguisher at home? I wish the day never comes when a fire extinguisher has to be used, or even to put to the test, but just investing Rs.2 for it, what is the problem? Nepalis are very kind; they buy biscuits for stray dogs that cost Rs.10 and feed them happily, but why we do not feel from the core of our heart that just spending Rs.2 could save lots of things? Or, are we still waiting for another disaster like the recent earthquake to happen? Everybody knows we were not prepared for it; even knowing that we are in an earthquake-prone zone? Are we the only people in the world who always react only after such an incident has occurred? Can’t we do anything for precaution? Can’t we imagine A or forecast what might come as a disaster in the near future? We can’t predict, I admit, but at least we can take precautions. Even you don’t know which kind and quality of wire was used in your own home; one that you made investing so much money and time. I am not complaining, but have you ever checked their thickness? Is it enough to sustain the increased load demand brought about installing appliances like heaters? Have How will you kill fire? Are you thinking of pouring we ever checked how the wiring has been done above the false water on electrically-started fire? Do you believe ceiling? You seem happy with that water will be the best solution for your kitchen? your interior and you trust that you are safe. Really, are you? I Wake up! It might ignite the fire all the more. am saying all this, because inside the false ceiling there could be more fire hazards hidden from your eyes. Waiting for the right if there’s a small fire and they premises, there should be moment to spark... I just want are not successful in killing it fire extinguisher, fire-fighting to make you understand that a on time and it’s become huge...? equipment, and fire alarm fire hazard could be anywhere. Imagine! There could even systems. But the irony is that Your kitchen, your bedroom, be death of your loved ones. once they are checked at the your dining room, your TV room, But, now imagine another time of getting the approval anywhere...your garage, your scenario; if there is a small 2 letter, there is no procedure to generator, your inverter or UPS... kg fire extinguisher at home get them tested every year, or whether you are at home or not. that all in the family know how to take a certificate of working How will you kill the fire? to use. When you are walking condition from the third party. Are you thinking of pouring home, and you hear that there You can see detectors water on electrically-started has been a fire today on your hanging in shopping malls and fire? Do you believe that water premises, and your children cinemas, but not in working will be the best solution for killed the fire by extinguishing positions. Somewhere else, your kitchen? Wake up! It might it with a fire extinguisher! the fire extinguisher installed ignite the fire all the more. I know the government has may have already expired. Can’t we afford, or don’t we to take strict action for these Somewhere, the fire pump want to spend on fire safety? things, but they might not have is not working...somewhere, Or, don’t we want to invest for yet calculated those things on there is no water in the tank... our own lives? It’s not about their book yet. It will take time, Who is responsible for all spending Rs.2 only. It’s about and it’s not easy to make norms this? The government? This responsibility for your family. immediately, and it’s not also is what you may answer, but It’s all about safety. sure that people will follow what about yourself? Why Imagine you parents are them immediately. do we always blame the out, and your children or The government has government? You yourself are grandparents are at home. Even certain norms: in public not ready to put even just one fire extinguisher at home? How can you blame them? How can we expect from the government, if we are not taking any initiative from our end? We may be living in places like Asan, or in more small gallis, where it’s impossible to reach for fire trucks. The congested roads don’t allow them to reach incident sites quickly. And, the scenario could turn worse in a mere minute. They can only watch helplessly as their property burns. Don’t be helpless. Just take a decision, and put at least one small 2 kg fire extinguisher at home and office.
Build Issue 1 89 Urban Construction Q & A Strong, Smooth and Sleek The material for all seasons
Text By Ujjwal Shrestha, Executive Director, Panchakanya Group
teel is known for its strength and durability, and thus has an important role in architecture. Who better than Panchakanya Steel to make our readers more familiar with the many aspect of steel?
Q What are the types of steel bars? (a) Plain mild steel bars (b) deformed steel bars
Q Differentiate plain and deformed steel bars? Mild steel bars are plain in surface and are round sections of diameter from 6 to 50 mm. Mild steel bars are used for tensile stress of reinforced cement concrete slab beams, etc. Deformed bars are provided with lugs, ribs, or deformation on the surface of bar. These bars minimize slippage in concrete, and increase the bond between the two materials. Deformed bars have more tensile stress than that of mild steel plain bars.
Q What is the difference between CTD & TMT bars? CTD bars are manufactured by hot rolling followed by cold twisting, while TMT bars are manufactured by hot rolling followed by water quenching. This makes the surface hard and keeps the core warmer and softer. This helps in making the steel S90 Build Issue 1 corrosion-resistance, and also Heated steel billets continuously increases its weld ability. pass through the rollers of decreasing diameter. After Q Why are TMT bars required? coming out from final rolling Concrete is a material that is mill, which gives proper rib very strong in compression, but design, the bars are water- relatively weak in tension. To quenched, and after cutting into compensate for this imbalance in desired length, are collected at concrete’s behavior, rebar is cast the long bed. into it to carry the tensile loads. Q What are the grades of Q What are the main features deformed steel bars? of TMT bars? (a) Fe: 415 (b) Fe: 500 (c) Fe: 550 Bond strength: The rib patterns of TMT bars allow enhanced Q What is the main chemical bond strength between the bar composition for making TMT and surrounding concrete to get bars? transformed to the stronger steel. Carbon / Sulphur / Phosphorus / Bending: Due to better elongation Silicon / Manganese properties of TMT bars, they have sufficient strength to take stress Q What are the main sizes of beyond the permissible range TMT bars? Weld-ability: TMT bars have 8 mm / 10 mm /12 mm / 16 mm / a low carbon equivalent. In 20 mm / 25 mm / 28 mm / 32 mm weld-ability, they are superior to conventional CTD bars. Q Why water & air quenching is Corrosion resistance: TMT required? bars are produced by thermo- Water-quenching produces mechanical treatment, and not temperature gradient in TMT Mr. Shrestha joined by cold twisting. No torsional bars from core to surface. After Panchakanya Group in 2007. residual stress is left in the bar, the intensive cooling bars are Initially, he worked in the making it highly corrosion- exposed to air, the core reheats plastic and steel division as resistant. the quenched surface layer a marketing manager. His Saving in steel: TMT bars have by conduction, tempering the efforts to introduce new higher yield strength to take external surface, which helps technologies for smooth and greater loads with the same the bars to attain higher yield quality production have been well appreciated. weight of normal steel bars. strength. Seismic resistance: TMT bars have elongation properties. This Q Which is the best quenching restricts the problem linked and self-tempering system in with construction in elastic current scenario? deformation. Thus, high ductility THERMEX QST is one of the best contributes to the absorption of brands in the world. possible unusual events such as earthquake, collision, or fire. Q Who are the leading billets manufacturers in India? Q What are the types of Steel Authority of India, Jindal deformed steel bars? Steels, and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (1) Cold twisted deformed steel bars (2) Thermo mechanically Q What are the main lab treated steel bars instruments to check the quality of TMT bars? Q What is the manufacturing Spectrometer / Universal Testing process of TMT bars? Machine
Build Issue 1 September 2015 91 Urban Construction feature Sturdy Structures Designed to resist seismic shocks
Text By Anil Shakya Managing Director of Ram metal Workshop
pril 25, 2015, a date marked in many Nepali minds. This day, a 7.9 M earthquake rocked the country, destroying so many of our historic monuments and thousands of houses. The historic data clearly shows that Nepal lies in an earthquake-prone zone; at intervals of every 80-100 years, it has been recorded that a high magnitude highly destructive earthquake has occurred. As earthquake is a regular process of tectonic movement in Nepal, it can never be predicted where and when an earthquake will hit. It could be tomorrow, or after decades. Being ignorant about earthquakes could cost us a lot if we do not stay prepared, because we cannot predict whether it will take place within the hour, days, weeks, months, years, or even decades. The recent earthquake has taught us that houses should be properly designed, and building codes should be strictly followed. In the context of Kathmandu and other earthquake-prone areas of Nepal, steel structure is better than masonry and RCC frame structures. Steel structures are much lighter in comparison to the latter. Steel structures are also flexible with high ductility, and are highly deformable. With A steel structures, there is no threat of cracking during A prefabricated steel building under construction in Sobha Bhagwati, Kathmandu seismic loads. Maintenance of panels are now easily available site within a very short period. steel buildings, like changing in the Nepali market; some After installation process, all beams and columns if they get companies have already started connection bolts are checked damaged, is much easier. Steel production of sandwich panels, with sufficient torque range buildings are sustainable for too. as prescribed by designer or high-rise building, as well as for manufacturer with the help of small colonies. Construction method tightening torque wrench. Pre- In earthquake-prone areas, Steel buildings are designed stressed hollow slabs, which building and other structures as frame structures, while are light in weight, are placed should have less seismic weight. pre-stressed slabs, or cast above the beams with the help Structural designers need in-situ slabs with metal of a crane, and then, they are to practice reducing seismic decking, are used as slabs of connected with the beams by weight. Steel structure with the building. Steel structures studs welded on it. prefabricated panels can be are prefabricated and pre- used instead of RCC structure, engineered with seismic Sandwich prefabricated brick masonry, and stone resistance design. All horizontal panels are installed between masonry. Prefabricated hollow and vertical membranes are steel frame structures with panels can be used as non- connected by high-strength bolts special connections, followed load bearing partition walls, of minimum 8.8 grade. Materials by steel framing, as well as and steel tubular sections can of prefabricated steel structures water seal tapes, to make them be used for light structures. are tested in the laboratory, and water tight or leak proof. Paint In multi-storied structures structures are preassembled can also be directly applied like shopping malls, academic in the workshop. All structures over prefabricated panels, buildings, official buildings, have folding system with nut which reduces plaster cost and and residential buildings, bolts connections. improvises looks. Doors and hot-rolled steel sections can be The nut bolts and washers windows can also be fitted used as frame structures, and are special bolts; with high easily on these panels. Good RCC hollow pre-stressed slabs strength structural bolts tested aesthetic appearance is gained and prefabricated sandwich at the engineering laboratory. from steel structures covered by panels can be used as walls of These prefabricated steel cement board, calcium silicate buildings. These prefabricated structures are easily installed at board, FRP, and timber.
Build Issue 1 93 Urban Construction feature The lay of the Land Kathmandu Valley
Nepal has always borne the curse of frequent and disastrous earthquakes. The most recent one taught us many things, not just about disaster relief but about how little we know of our own geology, amongst other things. Let us summarise.
Text By Ranjan Kumar Dahal, Ph.d Engineering, Post Doc Geodisaster, M.ASCE
he Nepal Himalayan region is part of the Himalaya Arc, which has suffered many large earthquakes. From east to west, the numbers of disastrous earthquakes includes the 1905 Kangra earthquake (Ms ~7.8)++, the 1934 Bihar-Nepal earthquake (Mw = 8.1), and the 1950 Assam earthquake (Mw ~8.6). The Sikkim/Nepal border earthquake of September 18, 2011, was the latest earthquake (6.9 Richter magnitude) before the Gorkha earthquake in Nepal. In the last hundred years, over 20,000 people have been killed in five major earthquakes. These statistics only say so much though, and do not tell us about the geology of our valley that dictates what happens in the surface when a seismic wave hits.
Geology of Kathmandu Valley After the Gorkha earthquake, the Government of Nepal realised the urgent need for detailed investigation and research. Being a bowl-shaped valley that was once a lake, it is filed with thick lacustrine sediment (more than 300 m in many places). Lacustrine sediment is the sediment left over after the water leaves the valley. It can constitute T various soil types and have various depths. There is a clear lack of geological layers. If a site has Valley, is alarmingly high, owing knowledge about these strong site effects, seismic to rapid and uncontrolled specificities, even amongst waves are likely to become urbanisation, poor construction concerned governmental more powerful near the surface. practices, and lack of disaster agencies and engineers alike. This phenomenon is calculated preparedness. In spite of Most research done has been using boreholes with PS logging, the knowledge of historical negligible and geotechnical strong ground motion analysis, earthquake disasters, public clues of the hidden materials micro-tremor data analysis, and awareness on earthquake hazard beneath the valley have not so on. and risk was not competent. been studied. Sci+entists have found that The recent Gorkha What we do know roughly, the central and northern part earthquake illustrates these however, is that the Kathmandu of the valley have a wide range problems clearly: mere days basin consists of limestone, of resonance frequencies due after the quake, people started sandstone, and shale as its to there being two levels of constructing compound walls basement rocks. As for the impedance contrast—one from and filling cracks in the walls of composition of the basin, the surface layer, and the other tilted houses that were clearly it is filled with thick fluvio- is from the layer underneath. structurally unstable. Given that lacustrine sediments (leftover The natural period of the we still know so little about the sediments after rivers and lakes ground is very typical. Roughly, geology and how that affects how disappear) composed of clay, silt, the area inside the ring road we build, these issues aggravate sand, and gravel ranging in age has a higher natural period the dangers of the earthquake. from the late Pliocene (about 5.3 of ground (nearly 2 seconds), to 2.6 million years ago) to the and in the peripheral part, the Need for organised approach present. natural period of ground is less We have been notoriously Likewise, the northern part of than 0.6 seconds. ignorant of the fact that we the valley has marginal fluvio- All of this information need to have an organised deltaic sediment. The central must be evaluated during approach towards earthquake part of Kathmandu consists of the planning and designing risk management. Only after 721 lacustrine sediment, whereas of infrastructures in the human lives in an earthquake in the southern part mainly has Kathmandu valley. Things like 1988 in eastern Nepal, that the alluvial fan (leftover by streams) the tentative estimations of need of an organized approach deposit. dominant natural period from towards earthquake risk This variation in soil type and micro-tremor data analysis management was realized, and properties may cause trapping reveals that the region inside the it led to the beginning of a few and may cause the focusing ring road is safe for residential initiatives on earthquake risk of seismic waves during an low-rise buildings. The type of management in Nepal. earthquake, leading to an sediment underneath a ground Implementation of land use evident change in resonant affects how high one can build, and building codes, design, frequency over short distances. etc. and construction regulations, The resonant frequency of a relocation of communities site is particularly important Risks in urban areas from risky areas, and use of because it indicates the amount The earthquake disaster risk of public awareness programs are by which the near-surface urban areas in Nepal, especially still necessary in Kathmandu. soft sediment amplifies the the capital area of Kathmandu Something must be done soon. earthquake ground motion.
Strong site effects Based on the evidence of Important Statistics buildings damaged in the Magnitude: 7.8 Kathmandu valley during past Time: 11:56 Nepal Standard Time earthquakes, researchers have Date: April 25, 2015 mentioned that the valley has Epicenter: Barpak, Gorkha strong site effects. A site effect Focal depth: 15 km People affected: More than 8 million is related to how seismic waves are amplified near surficial
Build Issue 1 95 No Need To Be Alarmed, Or Is There? Text by Shreeansh Agrawal
“ he quake alarm can waves precede the more destructi ve eliminate confusion, save S waves by a set rati o and on valuable seconds and average, come a few seconds earlier. provide peace of mind.” Earthquake alarms detect these reads the website of the waves and go off , giving people a few TQuake Alarm, model n. QA-2000. seconds to run out before the violent Sure, it might do so, but is it really S wave hits. The quake alarm being useful? And how does it work? off ered in Nepal requires that one earthquake hits. What the website The Quake Alarm is a slender, device be put per fl oor. It is batt ery describes as ‘peace of mind’, could unassuming litt le device with a litt le operated, requiring a potenti al be more accurately termed ‘mental hole in the middle that stares back at diff erence of 9 Volts. Its sensiti vity preparati on’. There have been several you when you stare at it. It rides the can be adjusted and is normally set cases where people have died due to bandwagon of various earthquake to detect alarms of over 4.5 in the panicking and freezing on the spot alarm systems being produced in the Richter scale. Anything below would and this alarm has the potenti al to world, and like the various systems trigger the alarm too oft en and too prevent that. being produced in the world, it is unnecessarily. Another reason why the alarm largely unreliable and provides, as However, they are relati vely is sti ll worth considering is that it is the company righteously claims, unreliable. Caritas Nepal, an NGO not a big investment. They can cost ‘peace of mind’ at most. doing signifi cant social work in around Rs. 5000 and serve for a long Agni Enterprises, that has been Nepal, has been using these alarms ti me. If this one ti me investment selling earthquake alarms for the last in their offi ce. They tell us of their provides the inhabitant with even a 12 years, gives us insight. It is mostly experience. weak substi tute for reassurance, then used by INGOs and organisati ons ‘It beeps and goes suiiiiiiiiiiiiii”, perhaps it is really worth considering. like schools and hospitals, but says one employee, making a poor On the whole, yes, it is farfetched perhaps more as a vesti gial safety imitati on of a soprano singer. ‘We all to expect any earthquake alarm to measure than out of fi rm belief in run out, but then nothing happens.’ be completely eff ecti ve. Earthquakes its eff ecti veness. Sales for private ‘Someti mes it goes off during remain one of nature’s more elusive homes have always been signifi cantly the earthquake. We have no ti me to phenomena, and perhaps you are low, with a short spike right aft er the react!’ bett er off keeping a pet bull frog earthquake, but they conti nue to be All this said and done, however, (they are excellent at detecti ng unpopular. This is partly also because the alarm does play a relevant role. It earthquakes, for some reason) than only 2-3 private companies really sell puts people of the room on alert so relying on technology that claims to them in Nepal (one of them being they are less likely to panic when the predict earthquakes. However, if you ZES, the company that manufactures earthquake comes. Those two extra are not too much of a pet person the Quake Alarm). seconds can be useful in gathering and would not mind investi ng in Most earthquake alarms work oneself and letti ng the adrenaline something that will at least prepare in a similar way. Earthquakes hit in surge through the body so that you for acti on, then do give this two waves: P waves and S waves. P one is already in acti on when the device a try.
96 Build Issue 1
Urban Construction feature how to ReducE building mass? Text By Ar. Alex Man Maskey
esigning a building in the Durbar Marg area is a dream come true for every architect. What is more difficult is to design an extension to a preexisting building in Durbar Marg that is light enough to be earthquake proof. Here is a recollection of the project. We initiated the project by calculating the Floor- Area Ratio (FAR), which revealed that the roof terrace could be turned into another floor. We then had to work out how to make this floor light so as to make it safe for earthquakes. The secret to this lies in making the centre of mass (CM) below the centre of gravity (CG). The CG for a building is related to the shape of the structure whereas the CM is related to the weight of the different floors of the building. Both are measures of where the mass of a body is concentrated. For a monolithic structure, the CG and CM is located at a same point. In simple engineering terms, the closer the CM to the ground compared to D the CG, more stable the structure is at the time of the Metal structure on a five-storey concrete building in Durbar Marg earthquake. In this case, the concrete reinforced on the that we should try making the mass of the added floor should outside up to a height of 1’ partition walls out of something have been lighter than its lower from the base for structural lighter than bricks. The fear floor. support. The base consisted of internal walls falling was The challenge was to decide of a metal plate with bolts. very real and we had to come on the material to allow this. Within a couple of weeks the up with a solution.We then The use of concrete pillars metal structural system of the emerged with the solution of was not an option as they are building had been made. using fibre-concrete boards far too heavy. Comparatively, Next we had to establish the manufactured by Shera for the metal structures are lighter non-structural components wall. Having been familiar with than the concrete. We resolved of the extension. The outer the product for a few years, we this issue by deciding to use periphery was made with a thought it would be appropriate metal columns, beams, purlins regular 4” thick brick masonry. for the construction due to its and trusses, making the whole This does not compromise the light weight and durability. structure out of metal instead of structural system. These kind Of course, there was a risk concrete. of fears are very common involved because the client was After going through a and our clients were afraid unsure of using this material series of drawings based on of using brick walls too, but he had never heard of, but we the client’s preferences, we they are safe because the were confident and went ahead determined final drawings. The load-bearing is done by the with the plan. fact that we were using metal frame and not by the walls. When the infamous for the structure made the job Moreover, reinforcements had earthquake struck, the slightly trickier because its been welded to the column, and extension remained unharmed. properties are different. The bracing had been provided for We were silently confident of rest of the process was clear to additional support. our work and this earthquake us. An interesting turn came in had proven our convictions. The metal column was the construction process at one Prevention is, after all, better standing within couple of days point. The construction was than cure and because we took at the site. IT was introduced moving as per schedule when all the safety measurements with the help of C channels one day the client called for a regarding construction, we (specific shapes of steel), with meeting. He said to our team created something of value.
Build Issue 1 99 Urban Construction feature Binding Nepal
It is the very stuff that gives form to structures, including infrastructure and buildings. Here’s what you need to know about cement.
Text By Sunil Poudyal, Sr. Manager, Projects, Technical Coordinator, Jagdamba Cement
or the growth and prosperity of any nation, infrastructure plays a vital role. Infrastructure helps in economy growth, connecting people, employment generation, and overall development of the country. For constructing any infrastructure, cement is the prime material to gives them relatively a rational existence and shape with toughness and durability. Without cement, no construction works could be possible. So, before starting actual construction, first of all, the developers should choose the best quality construction materials, with more focus on cement/concrete. In Nepal, the use of cement came into effect from the beginning of the early 1950s. As there was no cement manufacturing industry, Nepal had to depend on India. Gradually, from the 1970s, cement began to be imported for foreign aid programs, and for commercial use, from other countries like China, Korea, Japan, etc. In 1975, Himal Cement Company Ltd., a state-owned unit, came into existence as the first cement manufacturing plant in Nepal. Its production capacity, initially, was 160 TPD, and this grew to 200 TPD later on. In due time, two additional plants, Hetauda Cement Industries Ltd in Hetauda, with production capacity of 750 TPD, and Udaypur Cement Industries Ltd. in F Udaypur, with production capacity of 800 TPD, were established.
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At present, many private is Ordinary Portland Cement PSC will be more effective to cement industries have come (OPC), second is Portland prevent high rate of hydration. into existence, and some more Pozzolana Cement (PPC), and PPC and PSC have low are coming in the near future. third is Portland Slag Cement setting and strength-gaining Some foreign investors have (PSC). In Nepal, only Jagdamba properties than OPC. But, after also got approval to establish Cement manufactures all three a certain time period, strength cement industries in Nepal. types. development of OPC will be So, in cement, Nepal will be OPC is made by grinding 95- lower than PPC and PSC, which self-dependent in a few years. 97% clinker and 3-5% gypsum will gain strength throughout But, till now, about 20-25% of as additive for fast setting their life period. total demand is still imported and fast strength gaining Generally, OPC is produced from India. properties. Generally, OPC is in 33, 43, and 53 grades while In Nepal, clinker is used on the structure which PPC and PSC in 33 grade. manufactured by rotary requires high compressive Grade denotes the minimum and VKS methods. There are strength, like high-rises, compressive strength gained limited clinker producers in dams, bridges, tunnels, by the cement in 28 days. Nepal, with about 25% of total precast structures, etc. PPC demand produced locally, and is a kind of blended cement Setting time the rest imported from India. which is produced by adding Setting time refers to the time Clinker is ground to absolute pozzolanic materials like period that concrete and motor fineness during the production fly ash, pumicites, volcanic start to set. Initial setting time of cement. Now, most of ash, etc. with clinker and is the starting time that cement the cement manufacturers gypsum. According to NS begins to have chemical are investing in clinker code, 10-25% of pozzolanic reaction, starts to lose production, as well. materials could be added plasticity and get hardened. while manufacturing PPC. PSC Final setting time refers to Cement: concept and features is produced by adding 25- the time when the paste Cement is a binding material 65% slag (residue of iron-ore completely loses its plasticity, used in construction. It plant, having high percentage completes primary chemical provides shape to the of iron and calcium silicate) reaction, and starts getting structure, developing hardness with clinker and gypsum. strength, obtaining shape of when mixed with other Generally, PPC and PSC could the mould. Initial setting times materials and water. The main be used on any construction helps to determine the time function of cement is to bind work, analyzing their needs. for transportation, placement, other materials together with For mass concreting, PPC and and compaction of cement higher compressive strength. Limestone is the main element in cement manufacturing. First, cement clinker is Water-cement ratio produced from heating finely Cement is the main component in concrete mix, but its properties pulverized limestone, clay, and may vary according to other components (sand and aggregate), coal at 1400 oC in kilns, and amount of water added, and work methodology. For better results, then the cement is produced one should monitor on quality materials and its complete work by grinding the clinker and procedure. For high quality work, design-mix of concrete will gypsum with fly ash or slag, give the exact proportion of cement, sand, aggregate, and water according to the type of to be added for preparation of concrete. More typical M1O (1:3:6), cement. In any construction, M15 (1:2:4), M2O (1:1.5:3), and M25 (1:1:2) of concrete are used cement plays a vital role. It in the construction field with water cement ratio of 0.4: 0.6. It covers about 30% of the total means for every 50 kg bag of cement, 20-30 L of water is used, but cost. depends on the season, wetness of other constituents, and use of admixture. One must take care of using excess water as it increase Types & grades workability but decreases the quality. But, nowadays, greater than In Nepal, mainly three types of M25 concrete are also used, where very high strength is required, cement are available. The first adding admixtures and silica.
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feature concrete, and the final setting time facilitates safe removal Current Scenario – green cement of mould. NS codes have set Green cement is a growing fact that meets or exceeds the 45 minutes as initial setting functional performance capacities of OPC by incorporating and time and 600 minutes for optimizing recycled materials, thereby reducing consumption final setting time. of natural raw materials, water, and energy, resulting in a more sustainable construction material. The manufacturing process Life of cement for green cement succeeds in reducing pollution, green house Life of cement is difficult to effect, and resources use. Many countries have already started determine. If it has not been producing green cement/blended cement, and PPC, PSC, and OPC, exposed to moisture, it has with performer enhancers. The Bureau of Nepal Standard also has a very long life, once it is stepped forward on this issue. exposed to moisture, it begins to set. Normally, cement provides the same quality when used before 45 days, mandatory. Jagdamba’s its norms. While importing after which quality begins cement are packed in cement and its raw materials to decline. Life of concrete laminated bags with proper from abroad, the quality, varies according to quality labeling. The bags are manufacture date, and other of other materials used, damp- and moisture-proof, provisions (7 parameters, workmanship, and design. leak-proof, easy to store and according to NS) should be But, normally, it is assumed to transport, have guaranteed monitored and controlled. be greater than 50 years. weight, and are environment Another important step to friendly. develop this sector is to give Storage equal treatment to both Cement should be stored in Capacity and environment domestic and foreign cement dry, moisture-proof sacks Now, cement requirement on certain parameters like having minimum number in Nepal is about 50 lakh quality, codes, tax facilities, of openings. Cement bags tons per year, out of which, and to use Nepali cement in should be stack on wooden Nepali industries fulfill 75 big government projects also. plank or CGI sheet in such a to 80 % of total demand way that it is about 150 mm utilizing 60-70% of their Conclusion to 200 mm above the floor, capacity. Despite having Nepal is limestone-rich and 600 mm away from the problems with electricity, country, and limestone is the exterior wall. The height of labor, infrastructure, and main constituent of cement. stacks should be limited to 10 political instability, the It is estimated that there are bags to prevent the possibility cement industry is growing about 735 million tons of of lumping under pressure, continuously. If the situation limestone deposits in Nepal. and width should be limited becomes normal, Nepali This shows that the cement to 4 bags length or 3 meters. cement industries could industry in Nepal will play a It is convenient to stack the utilize their 100% capacity, greater role for the growth cement bags stepwise for which could easily fulfill the of the country’s economy. their easy removal. Different domestic demand. Thus, the government should types of cement must be focus more on creating an stacked and stored separately. Problems industry-friendly environment For the growth of the Nepali by formulating effective Labeling cement industry, some policy and planning and Every cement bag should issues like load shedding, implementation to uplift have proper labeling, infrastructure up to mine/ the cement industry. This including manufacture plant, transport syndicate, will result in: “white stone details, logo, produced date, and labor problem should be converted to gold stone”. and type of cement. Nepal solved. For better quality, the standard and Industry government should regularly Department has made the monitor the market and make Feedback:spoudyal@jcement. date and product labeling necessary modification in com.np, [email protected]
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Urban Construction feature More Than Meets the Eye
This article examines the nature of soil testing, hoping to shed some light on why it is so important.
Text By Namoti Nembang
oil testing is an overlooked but crucial step in any construction. It sounds complicated and obscure to the client, and often suffers neglect, especially in countries like Nepal that had lenient construction laws till the earthquake. The general public remained negligent of soil testing, until recently. “People are taking interest in soil testing after the earth caved in during the recent earthquakes,” says geotechnical engineer Dr. Ram Krishna Poudel of Multi-Lab, a private soil testing and geotechnical material investigation laboratory based in Kupondole, Lalitpur. It was, in fact, mostly done for large projects in government and private buildings. It was only recently that soil testing was declared mandatory by the Government and it gained importance in the public eye: “ only a handful of residents have carried out the test so far. They are the ones who are aware of soil risks and hazards.” This is, obviously, alarming. Soil testing reveals crucial information about what kind of foundation should be built for the structure—information that remains insidiously Shidden to the naked eye. “Getting the soil tested before laying Workers using rotary drilling machine to evaluate geological condition and potential disaster at a construction site in Kathmandu the foundation stones will Soil varies both laterally and vertically. Say help avert potential risks afterwards,” says former there is a mix of sand and clay at one spot, but SCAEF president Er. Badan just 10 meters away you may find a completely L. Nyachhyon. Geotechnical engineers, known as mud different arrangement. doctors in the field, uncover the characteristics of the soil underneath the site and prescribe the most appropriate Silts and clays are the weakest unusual to see gravel on the foundation. foundations. Having a base surface and a mixture of Diagnosing soil is a of gravel, boulders, or rocks gravel and sand beneath it. complicated process. One must is definitely an advantage. The presence of groundwater identify different soil types, However, considering how has its own complications. ranging from sand, clay, and many variations there are to It is important to recognize silt, to gravel, boulders, and each type, identifying soil type the mixture, as some of these rocks, with each type having is an appreciable process. This mixtures could be dangerous. variations in their behavior. is added to by the fact that Soil that is below the level of Sand, for example, comes in most sites (even small ones) groundwater has deposits of three types: coarse, medium, contain a range of different medium to fine sand and silts and fine. The north side of the soil types. is prone to liquefaction. city has more sand, while the Soil varies both laterally When a building shakes central part has sand on the and vertically. Say there is a during a moderate to strong surface and clay at the bottom, mix of sand and clay at one earthquake, sand, which is because the city was once a spot, but just 10 meters away supporting the structure, lake. you may find a completely transfers its load to water. The Silt (locally known as pango different arrangement. sand loses its load-bearing mato) is weaker than sand and When you are assessing the capacity when it comes in stronger than clay (kalo mato). variability of soil, it is not contact with water, causing
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proportion through laboratory tests to fill in large pores or cavities in soil. This method drastically increases the strength of soil. It is used in existing structures where other soil improvement techniques are not possible. One can see from the second solution that soil testing does examine the issue of uncompacted soils. Some sites in Kathmandu that are flat now, used to be ponds once. There are a few buildings that are built Deep piles being drilled for soil sampling before installing stone column foundation on such surfaces. Civil Mall, for example, was built on a former pond. If certain “It is very risky to build houses in areas that have engineering norms and procedures are followed sandy soil in loose state of compactness below correctly, it may be safe to groundwater table and near the ground surface.” build structures on former ponds, says Dr. Poudel. Being confident about the foundation that he designed the structure to lean, tip over, successfully used in Japan and for the mall, he stated, “The or sink several feet below the Nepal, and no liquefaction beams and columns of the original foundation level. “It was observed in areas building were still intact is very risky to build houses improved by stone columns. after the earthquake; there in areas that have sandy soil were only minor cracks in in loose state of compactness 2 Soil replacement the partition walls.” He, below groundwater table and In soil replacement, loose however, suggests carrying near the ground surface,” says materials and substandard out non-destructive tests of Dr. Poudel. soil are dug out and replaced the columns, beams, slabs, However, a soil testing with a sand and gravel foundation and building as company will also provide mixture, which increases a whole.” different solutions to improve the load-bearing capacity of Soil testing is obviously soil quality: the soil, and makes it less a very important process. vulnerable to liquefaction. Perhaps, if more people 1 Stone column were aware and invested A process consisting of boring 3 Compaction pile some time and money into 15- to 50-feet-deep holes in Compaction piles are installed testing, their houses might the ground, filling them with by driving a hollow steel pipe still have been intact today. a mixture of sand and gravels into the ground. The void is However, it is fruitless through a tremie pipe, and then filled with gravel, and to look back at the past compacting the materials to compacted with a rammer. and lament. We have now a required density. Installing realized the nature of stone columns is a popular 4 Grouting this essential process in option of stabilizing soil in This procedure uses a mixture construction, and it is up to liquefaction prone areas. of sand, cement or water or us to turn it from an option The technique has been chemicals to a prescribed to a norm.
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Urban Construction Q & A Home Loans Post Quake Mr. Abhash Ratna Tuladhar, Marketing, HO, Sunrise Bank, sheds light on home loans and insurance in the post-earthquake scenario.
Q In view of present Prepayment charges might vary Q What are the types of circumstances, is it likely from one BFI to another. collaterals for home loan? that home loan interest rates Collateral for home loan is the will be reduced? Q Are there any new same land and building which is Interest rate is determined regulations for obtaining financed. by various factors in the home loans? market. Some of the factors are As per NRB directives, Q As the government has liquidity, demand and supply, residential home loans are to be asked banks to provide competition, etc. Looking at provided 2/3 of fair market value home loans at 2% interest the current market scenario of land and building. Likewise, to earthquake victims, can of excess liquidity, demand of NRB directive restricted from they fulfill their mortgage home loans, and competition providing more than one home and repayment criteria? If among banks and financial loan to an individual and their not, how will you handle the institutions (BFIs), home loan undivided family members from situation? interest rates might be reduced one BFI. Moreover, BFIs have Repayment source and collateral to some extent in the coming their own product paper for are the major aspects for days. home loan. providing credit facilities to any customer. Each BFI has their Q Given that home loans Q What percentage of own credit policy guidelines are long-term, are there houses in Kathmandu Valley that clearly state the criteria penalties for paying off your that were affected in the of repayment source and loan early? earthquake was insured? collateral acceptance. Though Home loans are the long- Almost 100% houses financed government has asked banks term financing, and banks through BFIs are insured. to provide home loans at 2% charge prepayment charge for to earthquake victims, banks settlement prior to expiry of Q What is the premium for a will provide the loan looking home loan tenure. Prepayment home insurance? after their source of income and charge is clearly mentioned in Premium of home insurance collateral acceptance criteria the credit facility offer letter that depends upon the insured as mentioned in credit policy are issued to the loan customer. amount and risk coverage. guidelines of the bank.
Note: is a Director at United Builders and Engineers Pvt. Ltd.
Urban Construction Q & A
Construction and New technologies The recent earthquakes have given rise to the need of new concepts on design and construction. Here four builders give their opinions on the lesson learned.
Q What are the three • Foundations of the structure rods, etc. are of high quality construction lessons you’ve to be constructed have to be will ensure that the structure learned from the April monitored stringently. is safe. 25 earthquake? • A destroyed house can be • Follow government BR built again, but a life lost is guidelines, code of conduct, First, we should always opt heartbreaking. and don’t go beyond the for engineered product that “naksa”: This code ensures would necessarily cover DM that all safety measures essentials like geo-tech Getting into the construction are taken and been made investigation, structural and real estate business, and keeping any adverse design, appropriate with the experience I have situation in mind, whether material selection, skillful gained over the years, I always they are proper emergency workmanship, correct made an effort to know all exits, optimum open space methodology, and quality the necessary requirements requirement, or even the size control measures. Second, and left no stone unturned in of the structure suitable for there has to be non- terms of safety measures that the soil in the area. While conditional approval from were needed to be taken. This builders must follow them concerned authorities. Third, earthquake only reinforced strongly, even regulatory constructions do not always what we always advocated: bodies must ensure that it is adhere to compliances, so a • Never compromise on happening. Strict action must third party quality control quality: Right from designing be taken again those who fail and supervision during and planning of a building, to do so. construction can serve to working with experts, and • Insurance coverage: All check and balance. listening to them and not buildings must be fully trying to squeeze costs will insured mandatorily by either KH go a long way in the future. the developer or the society, • More emphasis should be Making sure all raw materials and not broken down for given to the design. used, such as cement, sand, individual apartments. Q & A
Now that we have faced DM such a big natural disaster, I While it is a good option, I believe it will help if we give think it is more of a temporary the communities an emergency solution. Kathmandu is too small orientation program, or impart to accommodate its huge and emergency survivor capabilities, still-growing population, and if and when possible. Not only high-rise structures are the only will they be prepared to handle way. Prefab is not feasible, as of a panic situation expertly, now, in these huge structures. but will also give them the The government must focus on confidence to stay calm, and that making a greener environment to is the most crucial part of any make our soil stronger and create Bijay Rajbhandary emergency situation. an environment for the public to Chairman & MD, CE Construction accept prefab houses. We need a US lot of space for that. • Structural Integrity lies in the detailing and accurate US implementation of the Prefabricated structures are structural design. promising. Considering the • Accepting the fact that we live need for speedy reconstruction, in an earthquake-prone zone, prefab solutions can be a viable it’s better to be prepared than alternative. to panic. Don’t compromise, and don’t let anyone Q Is it true that concrete compromise in a structure houses have a life span of Er. Kailash Hirachan that you are building. 50 years?If so, should we Director, United Builders & Engineers • Stringent supervision from demolish the houses after authorized personnel is a that? necessity for quality control. BR Being in the industry for more Q What do you think about than two decades now, I haven’t the new technologies like come across any documents prefab? that specify life span of concrete BR houses. I don’t think there is any Prefabs are echoing louder than specific factor that could guide ever before, though the concept the absolute time duration as itself is not new. However, such. Nevertheless, demolishing incorporating the technology is not the ultimate solution even Deepak Malhotra entirely depends upon after 50 years of existence. With Chairman, Silver Valley Developers affordability, construction time, technological advancements, we and purpose of the building and can now conduct performance life expectancy of the structure. assessment with various Moreover, we also need to have nondestructive tests and upgrade comprehensive knowledge of the performance with techniques the design, materials, and its like retrofitting, etc. pro and cons, and adopt trade off accordingly. KH Housing, or real estate, comes KH under “Efficient Market Theory”, Pre-fabrication is a not a new meaning that the price of that technology, it’s expensive. particular land will super- Reinforced cement concrete exceed exponentially compared Udeep Shrestha (RCC) is good enough; provided to the house. Any house will be Director, Panchakanya Group there is proper design and destroyed and built again in 50 proper inspection. years.
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DM afford to buy a land and build reasonings that Vastu follows We have seen buildings in a house. He will stay in high can be addressed with new very old cities and buildings rise apartments. These high rise materials and design features across the world that have apartments should be properly which were not developed then. never been demolished. This designed and inspected against means that, if all else is stable, earthquakes. KH the building itself will stand Vastu principles have no place for years without having to DM in the field of engineering. I be broken down. However, it Like I said, high-rises are the personally feel it’s irrelevant needs periodical checks and only alternatives to manage when designing a house. maintenance regularly. It is the growing population of important to use good quality Kathmandu today. It will be DM raw material at the start itself, unimaginable to just have small This is a very individual and technology today has made houses across the valley; they thought. I believe Vastu is it possible for buildings to stay are just as safe or unsafe as only about energies and if strong for over 100 years. high rise buildings. We must we follow its rules, chances focus on developing Nepal as a are we have more positive US whole and not just Kathmandu. energies in the space. As per Concrete structures can We have so much space which Vastu experts, they believe have a life of over 50 years, we can develop. If not higher, only 30% of it works, so it is depending on the design life we need to go wider! our choice whether or not we of the building. After reaching accept it. I cannot emphasize its designed life, the building US enough how important the may need to be demolished, High-rise buildings should be soil, the construction process, but retrofitting can also be an allowed. Seismic waves can and the materials used are in alternative to extend the life affect all types of structures, determining the safety of the of a building. However, if the depending on the nature of space! Having said that, Vastu cost of retrofitting a building the waves. And, structural is also a science, and we as exceeds 30% of the building integrity of a building relies on developers, try to coordinate cost, it is suggested to demolish accurate implementation of a between the strength of and reconstruct. good structural design. High- the structure, quality, and rise buildings are common in comfortable planned areas for Q Should high-rises be major earthquake-prone cities the inhabitants, plus the Vastu allowed in an earthquake- in the world, and they are good of the area when we build, but prone region like evidence to high-rise structures it is no miracle to say if the Kathmandu? having strong seismic resistance. Vastu is right, everything else BR will be. Of course, provided that Overall, we cannot stop it meets all the technical Q How relevant are Vastu building with the fear that the parameters of engineering principles when designing building will fall; developers requirements to ensure a house in the Kathmandu need to earn the trust of the the safety of the structure. Valley? customers by doing all that is More specifically, the design BR in their hands, right? In case considerations have to take into Vastu Shastra is a recent fad of Silver City Apartment, we account factors like liquefaction that is having huge influence in ourselves live on the 17th floor, based on geo-technical building design. It is a science that’s how confident we are of investigations, and structural of architecture that is valid our structure, and our clients designe based on earthquake for South India, from where it trust us because of that! codes. originated about 4,000 years back. But, the principles that US KH work there are not necessarily With regard to Vastu principles, High rise or high apartments suitable here due to different I think it is more influential on are called maximum vertical geographical locations. Besides, the psychological side, and less space utilization. In the next 15 with recent technological on the structural integrity of a years, a common man cannot advancements, most of the building.
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Urban Construction feature Open Spaces He is one of the pioneering landscape architects in the country, with a wealth of experience regarding Kathmandu’s open spaces that have acquired a new importance in light of the recent devastating earthquake and its aftershocks.
Text By Namoti Nembang Photo: ECS Media Photo: f we just flip through the history “ of open spaces of Kathmandu, or listen to some elderly people, it will not be difficult for us to know that the valley was blessed with lots of open spaces of various sizes and forms in the past,” says architect and urban environmental planner Prof. Dr. Bharat Sharma, who teaches at the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk. “Open spaces were in comfortable proportion with the population until the 70s; after the Capital was opened to all, people started migrating here, and these green open spaces gradually began to disappear for various trivial and self-centered reasons.” He adds that, with the Ipopulation growth, the act of land- grabbing became rampant in the valley. The saddest thing, however, is that even the government was involved in this reckless act. Of the numerous open spaces in the valley, some have disappeared, some are badly abused, and some have been converted into clubs, shops, government offices, and other structures, all in the name of ‘public purpose’. “Patan Municipality was built on a former pond,” he discloses. “Likewise, there are many other examples, the most glaring ones being the plight of the whole stretch of Tundikhel, right to the north bank of Rani Pokhari; depletion of Sanogaucharan at Gyaneshwor; Kamal Pokhari; frontal open space around the zoo; spaces around stupas in Patan, Lagankhel, and Kathmandu; and Chhauni Chaur.” Though the valley’s population has increased phenomenally over the last three decades, the open spaces have failed to keep pace with the growing population that has shot up from barely 6-8 lakh in 1950 to 25 lakh in 2011. However, not a single square inch of land has been allocated to new parks. of the Internet and mobile phone, dunge dharas used to be the heart of the neighborhood, where women gathered to gossip. In the same way, dabalis and market squares would be full of elderly people enjoying the warmth of the sun in the mornings, and they would be seen smoking hookahs there at dusk. “We have a much deeper connection with our open space than the West,” he continues. “Unlike Europe and America, where parks and open spaces are mostly associated with their physical aspects, our open spaces are interwoven with our social activities highlighting the social texture. For example, certain Newar communities still go to Tundikhel for a feast after completing their puja at the Bhadrakali Temple. It must be fully understood Open spaces play a vital role for evacuation, that Kathmandu’s open spaces serve more than just the most gathering, and sheltering during emergency commonly associated needs for situations like the recent earthquakes. “If we had recreation, scenic enjoyment, and physical buffers between enough of them, people would not have to sleep varying land uses.” on the streets today.” In his view, we often get carried away by the notion that open spaces are only parks, but they should be regarded in a “None of the open spaces of Globally, space devoted for more comprehensive way. “For Kathmandu Valley was created urban recreational purpose me, open space is any space by any government,” states Dr. range from 3-10 acre per 1000 under the blue sky which is Sharma. “We inherited them population. “But,” says Dr. not structurally covered,” he from our ancestors through Sharma, “our government has declares. “They could be paddy endowments.” In the past, not allocated more than 2 to 4 fields, forests, water bodies, people donated lands out of percent land, even from its land ponds, and rivers—they are all various religious sentiments. pooling projects. Prior to the part of open spaces in different They were endowed by 1950s, there used to be dry-lands facades.” individuals and guthis who and wetlands in each ward, In his opinion, there are believed that such deeds would which shows that people, back basically two types of open earn them heavenly merit. But, then, were much more sensitive spaces: active and passive. whatever their intent was, ‘‘it about the relationship between While the former are generally was a very secular delivery, man and nature.” used for active play or exercise, which played a tremendous role According to him, outdoor the latter is mostly used by the in increasing the quality of city spaces were once a natural part elderly, who can walk around life.” of living here. Before the arrival or sit down on the bench and
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enjoy nature. Besides providing banks would be wiped out. us recreation, mental as well as “It is high time to act now as physical, and social and cultural some things, once lost, are interaction, open spaces also irretrievable,” he says. “The come in handy during times of land is pretty much fixed on our disaster. Even during the Great planet Earth. Once exhausted, Earthquake of 1934, people took there is no substitute for it. In shelter at Tundikhel. the same way, there is no way to Back then, Tundikhel was tear down shopping malls and a huge park that stretched restore parks and lakes.” between Rani Pokhari and He states that since we Dasarath Rangasala. “It doesn’t don’t get lands in endowments make sense why a new park anymore, the government was built within a park,” says should procure land from the Dr. Sharma. He also feels the people and build parks and open same way about building the spaces in each community. Open Army headquarters and parade spaces helps in good planning of ground inside Tundikhel. He any town or city. The new city thinks it was not the right planning should be based on location for a stadium, given land-use, he adds. the traffic and natural hazards, According to him, the particularly after the 1988 Department of Urban incident where 93 soccer fans Development and Building were killed in a stampede at the Construction has prepared Rangasala. dozens of such plans, but they Open spaces play a vital role have not been implemented, for evacuation, gathering, and as the land doesn’t belong to sheltering during emergency the government. He further situations like the recent informs that the Italians had earthquakes. “If we had enough also done a geo-hazard mapping of them, people would not of Kathmandu a long time have to sleep on the streets ago, so the government should today,” he says. He elaborates use the mapping to avoid new Prof. Dr. Bharat Sharma on an interesting point, as well: developments in liquefiable has a Masters in Landscape “Though we take pride in our areas. Architecture degree from Harvard University, U.S.A. mountains, we should not forget Kathmandu Valley was once Currently, he teaches at the that our geology is still young. a living city, he states, adding, Institute of Engineering, Earthquakes are inevitable “While I’m not implying that the and is Chairperson of in Nepal, and the threat of bricks or stones would speak, Centre for Integrated Urban another earthquake looms but the very spirit of interaction Development. over the country. This means and the way of living in these that adequate spaces should be spaces would vibrate in such a created for the use of residents way that you would feel there during natural disasters. One was life in it. It never used to be Tundikhel is not enough. a dead city like it is today. Now, Open spaces should be well- life has somewhat withdrawn distributed throughout the city.” from streets and open spaces. He goes on to explain that, People now disappear indoors.” over the years, many water He ends by asserting, “When bodies like Kalmochan Ghat, it comes to open spaces, it is Bishnumati, and Dhobikhola important to understand that have reduced in size, and ‘they are the lungs of our lungs. if a flood were to come, all If we want to survive, we must structures built on the river protect these lungs first.”
Build Issue 1 119 Urban Construction feature The Making of Nandi Keshwor Bagaincha
Text By Namoti Nembang
120 Build Issue 1 andi Keshwor Bagaincha, popularly known as Narayan Chaur, is located in Naxal. Though it is yet to be inaugurated, people have been frequenting the park since jogging tracks were installed a year ago. The 20-ropani park, N designed by Architect Prabal Thapa, boasts a jogging track, six groundwater recharging wells, and a lush greenery and calm right in the middle of a busy city. It’s hard to believe that the vacant lot was a dumping site not that long ago. Prior to the project, the land was filled with garbage and discarded construction materials. Today, this park has become a favorite spot for joggers and strollers. Everybody seems to love this park, but the transformation from a dump into a park didn’t happen overnight, nor was it painless. The community members had to overcome many challenges before this success was realized. If not for their persistence, this dream would never have come true. “Though we had to struggle for a long time, we felt our efforts were paid off when the park provided shelter to hundreds of people who had become homeless after the earthquakes,” says Mr. Narendra Bahadur Shrestha, president of Community Service Center and Community Police, Naxal. The park was in the final phase of construction when the tragedy struck. On April 25, thousands of people fled to the park for safety. “A few seconds after the tremor began, the nearby Nandi Keshwor Bahal collapsed, killing one and injuring six others,” says Mr. Shrestha. Once the shaking temporarily stopped, the Center pulled out the dead body. Shortly after, the local youths and Satya Sai Kendra set up a medical camp to treat the injured. By nightfall, the park had turned into a tent
Build Issue 1 121 city cramped with nearly 2,000 The situation a decade ago ordered them not to do any work people. It provided shelter to A decade ago, there was a debate without their authorization. hundreds of people whose over what should be built on the As years passed, the garden houses had been damaged, vacant lot. The Guthi Sansthan continued to be in a state of collapsed, or had become unfit wanted to develop the land into neglect, with the concerned to live in for months after a commercial building, while the people turning a blind eye to the earthquakes. Among the locals wanted to keep the land as polluters.The stench coming campers were 24 German open space for public use. The from the open garbage dump nationals who stayed in the park locals were not happy with the had made life difficult for most for nearly two weeks. development plan, and requested residents, says Mr. Shrestha. “If The site was built not only the guthi to build a garden or you had come here when it was as a public recreation area, something else for the recreation still a dumping site, you would but also to serve as a disaster of the people who lived there. “It not have passed this area without management park during wasn’t necessary to turn every covering your nose.” natural catastrophes like the guthi land into commercial The abandoned lot was also recent earthquakes. “And it buildings, but we failed to briefly captured by drug users. served exactly that purpose,” convince them,” Mr. Sakya The addicts openly used drugs at says Mr. Yogendra Sakya, a social laments. The locals, however, the site. As they roamed freely activist and advisor to the Center, decided to put constant pressure in the garden, women feared adding that it almost looked like on the Guthi. walking down the street by they had been unknowingly In 2006, the garden had been themselves. “There was a time preparing for the BIG ONE. neglected for many years, and when the locals didn’t feel safe The government has was littered with garbage and in the neighborhood anymore.” identified the park among the junk of all sorts. As the open The Center then mobilized local 84 potential evacuation sites garbage dump posed severe youth and the Community Police, for internally displaced people health and environment risks, Naxal, to patrol the area and (IDPs) in times of crisis. the Center formed a ‘Nandi report on drug addicts. It took Keshwor Garden Protection’ sub- them nearly seven months to get History committee on January 3, 2007. rid of the drug abusers. He says A long time ago, the park was The local body approached the that though they were successful known as Nandi Keshwor Guthi requesting permission for in curbing illegal activities in the Bagaincha. A private guthi cleaning the dumpsite. “A month park, the most difficult challenge owned the garden, where fruits later, the Guthi’s chief responded was to get the Guthi’s permission and flowers were cultivated positively regarding cleanliness to clean the dumpsite. as offerings for the Nandi and maintenance of the garden,” Keshwor Temple. The guthi Mr. Shrestha says. They were The anti-litter campaign had been established for the all geared up for the cleanup In 2012, the neighborhood’s upkeep and maintenance of the campaign, when the guthi environment had been temple. According to the stone inscription in the temple, it was built in 1801 B.S. by Queen “Our vision was to make a very utilitarian open Subarna Prabha, the second wife space for all age groups. We wanted to make of King Rana Bahadur Shah. The a park that could facilitate deeper connections among residents, which required minimum guthi owned several parcels of maintenance. It could also serve as emergency land in the vicinity. “The lands shelter during disasters.” on which the vegetable market, On being asked about the mounds on each Nandi Ratri School, Nandi corner of the park, Thapa explained that they Keshwor Bahal, and a stone were acoustic barriers to block the noise from Ar. Prabal Thapa spout are currently located were the passing vehicles, and achieve minimal visual all the guthi’s property once,” barrier, as the park is open. There are six wells in the park to recharge Shakya informs. Later, when groundwater. The big green space in the middle, which is actually a very the guthi couldn’t manage the low mound, is probably 18 inches higher than ones on the sides. When it rains, water dissipates toward the sides. The wells are located at points temple affairs properly, all its where the chance of seepage is higher. They are installed to address water property was handed over to the problems, and could also be used for watering plants in the park. government.
122 Build Issue 1 feature further deteriorated by the on a park for all age groups. road widening drive. All the “The park has a very simple construction waste was dumped design, but we have taken in the garden, converting it into every consideration to make it mini hills of solid waste. The eco-friendly,” he adds. locals had been pleading with the guthi to clean up what they The Last hurdle described as the eyesore of the When the community members locality for years. approached the KVDA with its But the Center’s request park proposal, the government was turned down yet another had been planning for SAARC time. “We never understood summit. Luckily, for them, Narendra Bdr. Shrestha why we were not allowed to the KVDA’s development clean the site when there was commissioner Yogeshwar no restriction against polluting Parajuli was a technocrat. “He the place. It didn’t make sense, understood our vision about so we decided to clean the the park, and pledged his full dumpsite with or without the support,” says Mr. Shrestha. guthi’s permission,” says Mr. After meeting the Shrestha. community members, it was After collecting Rs.410, 000 clear that they had been from local banks, they launched working on the project for a cleanup campaign on August several years. “They even 24, 2012. “Along with leveling had the park design ready. of land and waste disposal All they lacked was fund and Yogendra Sakya work, we also planted various permission to start the project,” varieties of 8-and10-ft-high says Mr. Parajuli. “As the trees on the day.” The event was land belonged to the Guthi, graced by Mr. Keshab Sthapit, there was no other way, so I Kathmandu Valley Development forwarded the proposal to the Authority (KVDA) Commissioner board, emphasizing its role as a Yogeshwar Parajuli, Mr. Kedar disaster risk management area Bahadur Adhikari, CEO at during natural calamities.” Kathmandu Municipality, The park proposal was and Mr. Kuber Singh Rana, approved by then Minister Additional Inspector General of for Physical Infrastructure Police. and Transport Bimalendra Nidhi. All those struggles came Ar. Prabal Thapa The Hitches to fruition when the Guthi It wasn’t just the guthi that Sansthan approved their plan, wanted a commercial complex, and KVDA announced a fund but residents had different of Rs. 1, 84, 00,000 for Kamal opinions on the project, Pokhari and Nandi Keshwor says Mr. Sakya. The elderly parks. wanted a temple, while The park construction began youngsters and businessmen a week after the tree plantation wanted a football ground program in August, 2012. The and parking lot, respectively. park was recently handed Then, there were the royalists, over to the Community Service who demanded a park for a Center, Naxal on July 6, 2015. memorial to commemorate the The locality and the park royal massacre, while some goers have the community Yogeshwar Parajuli requested for a Lokatantra center and all these people to Park. The debate continued for thank for the park. a year before everyone agreed
Build Issue 1 123 Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken Steel is essential. Steel is everywhere. Steel forms the very foundation of our modern urban society. Yet how many of us know how steel is actually produced? ECS Media gives you an exclusive glance into Himal Steel’s manufacturing plant and the lives of the men and women behind the production of this essential commodity.
Forging a Nation The History of Modern Iron and Steel Industry in Nepal
hen Mani Harsha started producing steel rods the electricity needed to run Jyoti, the founder of in Nepal when it wasn’t operations was non-existent in the modern-day Jyoti even considered a primary that day and age, Himal Steel WGroup, established building material. The onus, also imported a 365 KW Ruston Himal Iron and Steel Pvt. Ltd of introducing steel-reinforced Marine engine and three in 1961, he set in motion a concrete houses to the nation other Ruston generators from chain of events that would goes solely to this visionary England. It was obvious from revolutionize Nepal forever. Set company. To start producing the very start that the company up in Parwanipur, just north steel rods in a country was intent on producing a of Birgunj, the factory was the which had a chronic lack of high-grade product; like it had first of its kind in the country infrastructure was no short of never been done before in the and has since then become an a herculean task. In order to country. emblem of modern Nepal and do so, Himal Steel imported 54 years since their a benchmark that all other a seven inch rolling machine ambitious beginnings, Himal industries aspire to. from Akura Trading Company Steel remains the standard Founded with the motto in Japan and the furnace to heat bearer of the industry. Himal “Himal builds beautiful and the iron ore billets was brought Steel today produces cold durable homes”, the company in from Kolkata. Because twisted Torsteel bars (licensed
126 Build Issue 1 A historic photograph of the Himal Iron and Steel Pvt. Ltd. estate in Parwanipur in its early days.
from Tor-Isteg Steel Corporation Steel factory runs an estate that development in the nation. By Luxembourg) and high strength houses the steel mill, several building a thriving industry, TMT Tempcore bars (licenced other industries, staff quarters, Himal Iron and Steel, has from Centre de Rechaerche a medical clinic, a school, and inspired countless others Metallugiques Belgium) at their a farm at the location. In many to do the same and has, state-of-the-art factory. The fully ways, the fast development thus, played a crucial role automated factory produces 300 and modernization of in the industrialization and tons of steel rods every day and Parwanipur is synonymous modernization of the country over 70,000 tons every year. to how Himal Iron and Steel as a whole. Parwanipur today is the has revolutionized the nation. It would be safe to say that bustling industrial hub of the By introducing international at the furnaces of Parwanipur, nation. When Himal Iron and standard steel rods to Nepal, Himal Iron and Steel (P) Ltd, is Steel first began operations, the company has helped not just forging high-grade steel the town was an uninhabited transform the construction rods. They are, and have been, jungle. Today, Himal Iron and industry and infrastructure forging together a nation.
Build Issue 1 127 Left: The Karnali Bridge, an excellent example of South Asian innovation, is reinforced by Himal Steel.
Right: Kapan Gumba, another project that was built with Himal Steel, towers over Kathmandu on a pleasant day. IMPortant landMarks tHat Have been buIlt wItH HIMal STEEL: • Karnali Bridge • BICC— Consti tuent Assembly Building, Baneshwor • Nepal Telecom Corporati on (NTC) buildings • Insti tute of Engineering (IoE), Pulchowk • Crown Plaza Kathmandu- Soaltee • Kulekhani Hydropower Stati on • Sunkoshi Hydropower Stati on • Indian Embassy, Lainchaur • Briti sh Council building, Lainchaur • Kapan Gumba, Kapan • Shanti Gumba, Lumbini • St. Xavier’s College, Maiti ghar • Lincoln College, Ravi Bhawan
The modern day employees who run the show.
Build Issue 1 129 Top: Essential to a high-quality product is high-quality raw material. Unlike other producers who also use metal scraps for production, Himal Steel only uses high-grade imported billets for its production.
Bottom: After chemical tests that ascertain their high- quality the billets are readied to be fed into the steel plant. Himal Steel is a modern and fully automated steel plant that has the daily producti on capacity of 300 tonnes.
Himal Torsteel is individually twisted. This process fi lters out substandard rods as they break while twisting.
Build Issue 1 131 Top: After being heated up to 1250 degree Celsius, the billets are put through roughing mills before being rolled and ribbed into final products.
Bottom: After going through at least 21 different processes, the billets finally begin to take the familiar shape of steel rods. The rods are then cooled before being shipped off to Himal’s depots across the country.
The ribs and lugs on Himal Torsteel rods are designed to grip the cement better.
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Heritage Construction Part2 Heritage Construction feature Rebuilding Bungamati Most of the smaller old towns of Kathmandu Valley have suffered a lot from the earthquake. But, the town that housed Bunga: Dyo for six months is already planning ahead, keeping in mind that its heritage is its sole identity.
Text By Shuvechchhya Pradhan
he first time I went to Bungamati, what caught my attention were the old brick houses with wooden windows and tiled roofs, standing right next to each other like dominoes. I immediately felt home among these old houses, small gallies that opened on to chowks, and brick-paved streets. Although I have been a frequent visitor to Sankhu, another small town on the outskirts of Kathmandu, the realization never hit me till I visited Bungamati that the older Kathmandu that thrived during the Malla period and before was still alive in these small towns all around the valley. And, these small towns were also the most affected in the valley due to the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks. Around 90% of the houses were destroyed in almost all the small towns (with Panauti being the sole exception). It is Bungamati that has risen from the rubble the fastest. With the immediate relief and shelter work already over, the town is now looking towards the long-term construction works. And, now, the debate is strong about whether to use modern technologies like pre- T fab slabs and cemented walls, or to use the same technologies that The pride of Bungamati
Build Issue 1 137 After the destruction
138 Build Issue 1 Photo: ECS Media Photo:
Build Issue 1 139 “We are thinking of constructing houses that are no taller than two and a half stories,” shares Ms. Kul Devi Maharjan, of Tangal, Patan, whose paternal home is in Bungamati.
have prevailed since the time become separated due to new of our ancestors, to build this constructions, and the height of historic town. each floor in these houses are different. Another thing is that, Traditional architecture, we never replaced or took care designed for safety of the wooden beams in homes. Mr. Dilendra Raj Shrestha, a Most of the houses that have cultural expert from Patan, collapsed had wooden beams thinks that the traditional form that were already turning into of architecture is earthquake- dust. Instead of checking the friendly and strong, and beams, we have covered those says, “Nepal has always beams with plywood. On top been an earthquake prone of that, we have also added region, which means that our concrete floors on top of the ancestors knew what they mud floors which weaken the were doing. If you look at the base.” Kathmandu Valley settlements of Newars, you will find them Traditional architecture, our to be cluster settlements with identity open spaces. The advantage of Mr. Shrestha thinks that our this type of settlement is that traditional architecture is also the height of the houses are a part of our identity. “The first maximum of 25-30 feet, while question we are asked when the base would be stretched we go out of the country is whose paternal home is in to more than 100 meters long, where we are from. Then, what Bungamati, “which will also since the houses are joined to clothes we wear, what food we complement the Bung-Dyo each other. These settlements eat, and what our houses are Temple. We no longer like have been so devised because like. We do have an indigenous the tall houses. Also, when of the dangers of earthquakes.” architecture form unique only we build our houses, we He continues, “Also, the to us.” Many tourists come want visitors to come to this open spaces can be divided to look at the palaces and courtyard.” into primary, secondary, and monuments, which are the Another resident of tertiary open spaces that are finest architectural examples Bungamati, Mr. Sanga Ratna different in size. These are the in the settlements, and this Shakya, says, “Our ancestors places where people gathered is something the community used to say that our houses in case of emergencies. These living in Matsyendra Bahal shouldn’t go beyond the gajur are also the places to socialize at Bungamati has understood of the main temple. We haven’t because of the well, the falcha well. followed this principle because (platform on which a building “We are thinking of of the lack of space. But, is raised), and spaces to dry constructing houses that are now, we will not build taller grains. The problem now is no taller than two-and-a-half houses.” Mr. Shrestha agrees that all of these joined houses stories,” shares Ms. Kul Devi with this sentiment. According that behaved like one have Maharjan, of Tangal, Patan, to him, the traditional houses
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were built shorter than the is now researching on what buigal (attic), but they will be main Ganesh Temple of that kind of Bungamati they want more earthquake-friendly in area. He declares, “That’s what to build soon. According to terms of strength. the municipality should also Mr. Prem Bhakta Maharjan, a “SoNA is designing the pass as the law: that houses former chairman of Bungamati facades of different kind of shouldn’t be built taller than VDC, and now a representative houses in different parts of the a certain height. Only then, of the municipality, the aim town like Matsyendra Bahal, people, including future is to make a better and more corners, and other chowks. generations, will follow,” Ms. beautiful Bungamati than After the plan is finished, we Maharjan adds. before. He discloses, “SoNA will take this to the National is preparing the design of the Planning Commission so that in Rising from the rubble, a new three-storey houses. We are case there are donors willing Bungamati not going to allow houses to to fund the project, we already And, that’s what the Karya be taller than three stories. have a plan to show them.” Binayak Municipality and On the ground floor, there He adds, “We are also taking Bungamati are working on, too. will be shutters for shops and feedback from the public. We Currently working with SoNA businesses. The houses will have showed the preliminary and the faculty of KU Arts and follow the traditional Newari design of the houses and got Design, they have formed a floor plan of maata (middle the feedback. Once the final 19-member committee which floor), chota (top floor), and design is completed, we will
Build Issue 1 141 feature present it again, and then take for this community will come island with no motors, and the it to the National Planning from, then we don’t need to city with no signs. The main Commission.” get rid of the gallis at all. Gallis question is identity. What kind The project is also aiming are our identity, and we need of identity you want for the to build the houses with to preserve them. People come towns in Kathmandu Valley. traditional outlook, even if here to get lost in the gallis We can declare that our cities the inner section will have of Bhaktapur,” architect Pant have cluster settlement with no modern touches. “This will explained. access to vehicles as identity.” depend on the resources we Mr. Dilendra Shrestha Although 86% of the total get,” Maharjan shares. “The agrees, and says, “I can give you houses are gone in Bungamati, façade will have crafted two extreme examples that I it seems that rehabilitation windows and doors, but we have seen. One is a city called will take place soon for those are now wondering whether to Hydra in Greece, which was who have lost their homes, use bricks or cement blocks.” one of the partner cities of the because of the interest shown And, this is what the locals in Bandipur regeneration project. by many organizations like KU, the Mastyendra Bahal have The city is actually an island, SoNA, and some international agreed to, as well. “Many of and is known as the island with organizations. Not only that, the sanjhyas (large intricately no motor vehicles. Of course, talking to the locals and the carved wooden windows of they have municipal cars officials, it seems that the living rooms) haven’t been that come to collect garbage question of whether to build damaged yet, so most of the in the morning, but that’s it, the place as it was before houses will use the traditional there are no other vehicles. using traditional elements, windows,” shares Ms. In case you have to travel up or build using completely Maharjan. and down, then you can use new forms, isn’t much of a donkeys and mules. The other debate here. Once the project A charm of their own, the one is Bath City in the U.K., a gets completed, it is sure that gallis city with no signs. Even the Bungamati will be a role model Another debate that could four-star and five-star hotels for many other small towns like occur while doing town don’t have signs. Now, both Sankhu and Khokana to come planning would be what to do of these cities are very tourist back strong and maintain their about the narrow gallis that centric, which could also be own identities. are the linking capillaries of because of their identities—the the settlements of Kathmandu. Mr. Prem Bhakta Maharjan shares that the gallis can be widened a little more with some What is Kathmandu University (KU) doing? narrowing of house fronts. According to Sujan Chitrakar, Academic Program Coordinator of Center for Arts During a discussion between and Design, KU has conducted various outreach programs and built shelters for architects Bibhuti Man Singh, around 600 people. “We engaged local kids in various art and fun activities. Our Arun Dev Pant, and Sanjay students created murals in various parts of the town. Currently, the university is Thapa, the trio agreed that the working on supporting Bungamati through resources of various departments in the rebuilding process. We will take a holistic approach.” gallis of the older towns would He states that KU Art+Design will align its courses to match with Bungamati be the first to get affected for its benefit, and that the School of Education is working on adopting a public during rebuilding, but that they school for the long term to support it in managerial and administrative aspects, should actually be preserved. besides providing teachers' training programs to other schools. The School of “People might argue that Engineering will support with various projects and programs in the rebuilding the roads need to be wide process. enough for fire brigade and He adds, “Similarly, although KU does not have expertise on heritage, we ambulances to go through, but would like to help build the proper connections for the locals to aid in the there are small compact fire rebuilding process. We received old architectural drawings of the town that we distributed to various stakeholders. Our friends from the University of brigades, such as those used in Baltimore are making a 3D virtual model of the town, starting with the temple. Europe. We can use them here, That will serve like a visual reference during the building process. The School too. Also, if we allocate the of Engineering will provide their expertise in geomatics and civil engineering, if open spaces according to need, required. We have been in constant dialogue with various parties like KVPT and such as where the ambulance SoNA regarding the rebuilding of this town.”
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Heritage Construction feature The Legacy of the Restorer Remembering the restorer of Swayambhunath
Text By Anutara Shakya
or me he will always be my dad, but to those who have known him as anything else, he will always be a friend, a teacher, and a leader. Six years ago my father, a third generation-goldsmith, was given the responsibility of overlooking the restoration as an art director for the oldest stupa in the valley, the Swayambhu Stupa. Initially, the plan had been to restore the Boudhanath Stupa, but as things do not always go as planned, the project turned its focus on Swayambhu instead. Maybe it was fate, or the power of the divine that decided it was time for restoration of the Swayambhu Stupa. Who knows? However, it had already been 90 years since the last restoration, and coincidentally, if you look into the history of Swayambhu, a restoration has taken place, approximately, once in every century.
Many bumps on the way However, the path to restoration was not an easy one to take. Just as the Buddha had to overcome distractions set F out by the evil Marr during his road to enlightenment, the Build Issue 1 145
feature project had its own number of obstacles to overcome, no matter how noble the cause. There were allegations and threats, and even questions raised at every step my father and the team took. When the project had just started, and the holy advisors suggested we begin our journey with the bajra in the east of the stupa, it was the first piece to be taken out for repair, but rumor spread about the bajra being stolen. This was just a small bump on the road of the many challenges that were to come our way, both big and small. Being used to the system of Nepal, people were skeptical that the project would even be completed in less than five years, or many thought that the project was a hoax to steal the treasures of the stupa.
A hearty laugh, a keen eye for detail During the entire project, to make sure that every piece was recorded and nothing went missing, more than 20,000 pictures were taken, and piles and piles of notes recorded Mrs.Rajani Shakya giving final touch to the metal statue of Lord Buddha every piece that came down from the stupa. We had to make sure that the same piece were hurdles and our cheeky Tragedy strikes was reinstalled back where it neighbors, the monkeys, About a year had passed belonged; from an inch-long always made sure we never since the beginning of the nail to the 5-foot-long eyes of had a dull moment. Those are renovation, and only the gajur the stupa. My father was in some of the fondest memories (the pinnacle) and some parts charge of overlooking the entire I have of the Swayambhu of the harmika (top part of a project, while at the same time renovation project. As for stupa, just below the gajur) heading the gold plating section. me, I was part of the team were left for restoration when Yet, despite all the pressure because I just loved being at the unspeakable happened. of meeting expectations and Swayambhu, basking in the On the morning of January doing away with skeptics, he majestic glory of the Self- 3, 2010, my father, Lok Ratna would find time to joke with created, wishing I was allowed Shakya, suddenly passed away the other artisans and laugh his up in the white dome, as were at the age of forty-five. It felt hearty laugh, his eyes gleaming the boys, and following my as though the whole project brightly, for a moment, father as he led every phase of was now in the dark, for the forgetting the weight he carried the project, discussed matters leader had fallen. But, despite on his shoulders. with the archeological team, the sorrow and the madness There were as many light- and ran around making sure going on during that time, it hearted moments as there everything was in place. was my mother, Rajani Shakya,
Build Issue 1 147 feature
The master goldsmith, late Mr. Lok Ratna Shakya who decided she should step end, with the support of the Bajracharya. The gold section into my father’s shoes. Now, all entire team and my family, was, of course, headed by the while my father had been we were able to complete the Lok Ratna Shakya, and later, running around, she was the restoration in a span of just by his wife Rajani. It was the one who made sure he never two years. symphony that we had created missed a single step. and agreed to dance to that Surprisingly, in a The secret of success had made the entire project society where men were Many people know about the successful. The experience had still considered to be the restoration, but not many not only left me and my family breadwinner, everyone people realize the secret behind able to cope better with the accepted the transition without its successful completion. It was loss we had suffered, but at the a hitch. I was surprised at the thanks to the team effort, the same time, we built friendships strength and resilience my faith, and the honest dedication to last a lifetime. mother held herself up with of each one of the 70+ member Five years have passed during this time. Because team. The copper and gold since the completion of the of her enduring nature and artisans to the woodcarvers project, and despite the April her courage to move ahead, and documentation team, not 25 earthquake that damaged she gained a lot of support, to mention the directors, the the surrounding houses and not just from her family and donors and the advisors, and monasteries in the area, the Swayambhu team, but every individual that in one Swayambhu Stupa still stands from everyone who came to way or the other became a part tall. I get a lump in my throat know her. Coming from a of the Swayambhu family. every time I see the number family of goldsmiths, I and As a matter of interest, the of temples that have fallen in my sister Nikita were lucky to copper section was headed Kathmandu today; still, I am have inherited some skills by by Sajan Shakya; the wood confident that we can bring observing our parents; and our section by Bekha Ratna Shakya every single heritage back to knowledge was much welcome and his son Madan; and the its former glory. Trust me, I since the project needed all documentation team by have seen it happen with my the help it could get. In the Manish Shakya and Pushpa Raj own eyes.
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Heritage Construction feature Traditional Homes Swotha A look at a traditional home and how it works
Text By Shuvechchhya Pradhan
fter the earthquake of April 25, and the subsequent aftershocks, many people were heard saying that the traditionally-made old houses of brick, mud, and wood proved no longer to be safe. After all, many old houses in the older part of the Valley seemed to have gone down, along with other monuments like temples, falchas, and sattals. What most people forgot to ask was why those buildings went down. Is it only because of their architecture, which was last modified in Malla times? Or, was it because they weren’t maintained properly? After the earthquake, the first thing we did was visit Swotha Tole in Patan, famous for its restored houses, now turned either into bed & breakfasts or cafés. Most of them, including one of the very first—Traditional Homes Swotha— survived the big quake. Home to the famous Café Swotha, this B&B is housed in a restored and remodeled home that is more than 80 years old. “When we first took the house on lease, it was in a really bad situation,” shared Abhinash Pradhan, one of the directors, who was also giving us a tour of the property. Besides him, the B&B has five other partners who are involved in various sectors. They leased the house from Prem Lal Shrestha, a retired pilot of the national airline, around five years ago. At that time, the house had 15 small
ABuild Issue 1 September 2015 150 rooms, and the rent of each was rooms as they were, because overall ambience of the so low that it would never have that also added to the history house. While the café can be been enough to maintain the and character of the house,” seen as an extension of the house. “The backyard was used Pradhan expressed, pointing to building, with a raw feel to as a godown and also given on the barren grey floor in one of it—with naked concrete slab rent,” he explained. the rooms. They did, however, walls—it was constructed as an The estimated time of the take out the top-most roof made entirely separate system using restoration was nine months, of heavy RCC, as it was decided contemporary materials with but it took the team almost one to be too heavy for the load RCC slab and metal work, thus and half years to complete the bearing structure of the house. embracing a modern touch. project, which was designed by The roof was replaced with The only other change done to architect Prabal Thapa, also a traditional tiles and the room is the house was to build attached partner. Most parts of the house now used as a master suite. bathrooms to each room for the were left in their original state; At the same time, the comfort and needs of modern this included plastered floors backyard of the house is now life. in all rooms, and black painted used as Café Swotha, which One of the unique features of wooden beams in one of the although completely different, this building is that it uses thin rooms. “We wanted to leave the still manages to retain the bricks. According to Pradhan,
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One of the reasons why Traditional Homes Swotha is sure to be sustainable is because of its popularity with foreign guests. Most of the guests are foreigners who love authenticity and come to stay mostly for experience.
reasons why one would leave to live in the area as a local. their original home.” Pradhan “They enjoy the morning said, “It might be because of bells from the temples, the difficulty in adjusting, quarrel whistle of pressure cookers with neighbors, or the prestige from neighboring kitchens, of having a big new house and the kids crying and playing,” higher standards. There was said Samun Bajracharya, the a baje of Bhaktapur who used manager of the place. “They to come and take care of one want luxury, but not the luxury such house every day, but after provided by a 5 star hotel. he passed away, his sons have Their idea of luxury is having abandoned the house and let it basic amenities and being able die. We show that house to our to have local experience.” The guests, and tell them, ‘That’s idea of the guest house is also what we are trying to protect to be simple and basic, not that this house from’. fancy, providing good services, One of the biggest challenges and moreover, preserving the in this project was the time it character of the old house. took for completing the project. While many traditional Deconstructing the RCC floor houses in the Valley have took many months, which then gone down in the earthquake, resulted in more expenses (labor the timely and proper Photo: ECS Media Photo: and other costs). Also, workers maintenance of this property were hard to find. Pradhan saved it from going down as explained that this is a vicious well. Similar is the case with cycle: as people started making some other guest houses: The at that time period people usually concrete homes, craftsmen Inn, right behind Traditional did not use thin bricks, so the started losing their jobs. And, Homes Swotha; Newa Chhen person who built this house must as these skilled men started in Kulimha; and Dhakwa have been really skilled, with the working in other fields to meet House, a homestay on the way way he built it, and the linings ends, we no longer have people to Kwalkhu from Nakabahal, of the bricks and their size and with skills to restore houses. to name a few. All these old quality. He also added that the “We used craftsmen from heritage houses were restored owner was really proud of the Bhaktapur,” he shared. using traditional methods, but way he had the building made. One of the reasons why modern elements were also The basic idea of turning this Traditional Homes Swotha is introduced where necessary. house into a B&B was to preserve sure to be sustainable is because Maybe this could be the answer the house from deteriorating. of its popularity with foreign to all those who keep on saying When we walked up to the guests. Most of the guests are that traditional architecture terrace and were enjoying foreigners who love authenticity is not safe. It is probably the view of Patan, we noticed and come to stay mostly for the safest architecture we some houses that had been experience. These are travelers have right now, but only if abandoned and were crumbling who love adventure and want maintenance is done properly down. “There might be many to get the feel of what it’s like from time to time.
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Photo: ECS Media Photo:
Heritage Construction feature Zero Ground Kasthamandap About 721 monuments in the country were damaged, out of which 133 were completely destroyed..
Text By Eka Ram Singh, Translated by Srizu Bajracharya
ur city Kathmandu got its name from Kasthamandap a long time back. It was only when the king of Gorkha conquered Kantipur that people started calling the city Kathmandu. In the 8.4 M earthquake of 1990, Kasthamandap surprisingly didn’t face any damages. It was not affected by major earthquakes even before that. But, on Baisakh 12, the gigantic wooden pavilion came tumbling down within seconds when the earth shuddered to the 7.8 M earthquake. This major earthquake brought down Kasthamandap’s aesthetic and O physical presence to ground zero. Till date, no one has been able to track of Brahmatol, which is now in the Sakya Monastery in down how old Kasthamandap is. The word, Tibet. Inside Kasthamandap, Kasthamandap, first appeared in the colophon a tamrapatra dated Nepal Sambat 454 still exists. This of Namsangati, a Buddhist text dated Nepal provides evidence that the Sambat 263 (1200 B.S.). temple may have already existed 872 years ago. This was during the Lichhavi period, a time when Kathmandu Valley’s architecture developed Kasthamandap’s hallmark that the bereaved went to profoundly. Kasthamandap wasn’t just a heaven. The dangi yatra starts heritage for Nepalis, it also off from Kasthamandap and The folk story of belonged to the world. It was ends in the east end of the Kasthamandap one among the heritages pavilion. Kasthamandap was The reason as to why listed in the Hanumandhoka an open space where the kings Kasthamandap was built in the world heritage monument discussed important matters first place is still unknown. But zone. Legend has it that with the citizens. Shivamargi there is a popular folk story of Kasthamandap was made pilgrims from Rasuwa’s Kasthamandap that has been from the wood of a single tree. Gosainkunda traveled to passed down from generations. It was a huge three storey Kasthamandap on the occasion According to it, a man from temple, and in the olden times, of Janai Purnima to receive a Bosyo (or Beset) family—a a place where travelers used offerings from the king. On the carpenter community with to rest. It was an inn for them day of Panchadan, Buddhist knowledge about wood and to spend the night in. At one monks are also offered a trees—saw a strange person time, the sattal’s responsibility feast in the sattal. During the attending the Macchindranath was given to Shivamargi yogis. Panchayat era, international Jatra. The Bosyo was also And, thus, yogis on journeys leaders were felicitated at the a tantric. He suspected the from afar rested and resided site. person not to be human, and in the pavilion, but later, when Every year, on Maghe so he cast a spell and bound King Mahendra renovated Sakranti, a sacrifice ritual is his movements. Later, before Kasthamandap, he prohibited performed in Kasthamandap. loosening the rope, he asked the yogis from residing there. A flag is hoisted, and a cow is the person who he was. The However, the statue of their fed boiled wheat. The guthi, person replied that he was sage, Gorakhnath, was not which consists of Jyapus living the tree god Kalpavriksya. removed from the temple. near Bhimsenthan, organize The Bosyo made Kalpavriksya There were four stone statues this ceremony. A Newar promise that he would supply of Ganesh. The first floor had Brahman (Rajopadhya), a the necessary wood for giant pots which represented tantric performer, a khadgi building a public resting place Bhairav. (for playing nyabaja to inform (sattal). the locals), a Manandhar (as After four days, Cultural aspect of a helper), and a Gopali (who Kalpavrikshya showed a Kasthamandap brings the cow for the ritual), gigantic sal tree at Kailash Kasthamandap still practices are involved in the ceremony. forest, and told the person to ancient cultural rituals. use the wood for his purpose. Previously, every 12 years, the Kasthamandap’s age The Bosyo approached the kings used to exchange their Till date, no one has been king and took permission thrones in front of the bhutis, able to track down how to cut down the tree. The where the locals believed old Kasthamandap is. The Bosyo, driven by the urge for the power of Pachali Bhairav word, Kasthamandap, first virtuous and social welfare, rested. Newars suffering from a appeared in the colophon of began constructing the death in the family participated Namsangati, a Buddhist text resting place in the form of in dangi yatra of Indra Jatra dated Nepal Sambat 263 (1200 a mandap (mandala), and from Kasthamandap to ensure B.S.) copied by Bisudhajipena the Kalpavriksya stayed back
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Ancient wood carvings among the ruins to supply as much wood as Sthapits make wooden door Like in the above story, needed. The mandap, built only frames and help in preparing where Kalpavriksya furnished with wood, is called Mandap the foundation. The Barahi all the requirement of wood Sattal. Later, a stone tap (Maru Takshyakars are expert in and the then rulers eased Hiti), a temple, a dabali (Maru cutting hard woods into the way for the construction Dabali), and a monastery were required shapes, while the of Kasthamandap, the local also built around the vicinity of Shilpakars carve designs Nepalis can also build the Maru Sattal. on the wood. The Darukars destroyed monuments once make wooden idols, and the again, provided they get the Rebuilding Kasthamandap Dhupakar make the wooden following facilities: Kasthamandap, an excellent cross struts. We still have • Required wood and other example of the ancient these communities. They building materials (without architecture of Kathmandu are the backbone of wood taxation) Valley, stood as the epitome architecture. • Hassle-free working of human civilization The local Newars are still environment and development. Newar capable of rebuilding the • Appropriate payment for the communities working in monuments, temples, sattals, craftsmen various aspects of wood work, chaityas, and monasteries • Required tools and such as Bosyo, Balami, Byo, destroyed by the devastating machineries Sthapit, Shilpakar, Taksyakar, earthquake. The concerned • Security guards at Barahi, Darukar, and stakeholders, locals, and construction sites Dhupakar, were involved in government bodies should We Nepalis can rebuild Kasthamandap’s construction. take initiatives in this regard, the Kasthamandap, shattered The Bosyos plant and raise keeping in mind that our to zero ground, in the original trees and mark them for ancestors have built many form for our future generation. cutting. The Balamis cut down indigenous heritages without Tourists will come to visit the trees so marked, and foreign aid. Nepali artisans our world heritages again. stack the cut wood, which is had proved their skills even in The history of ancient Nepali transported by the Byos. The China and Tibet. civilization can revive again.
Build Issue 1 157 Heritage Construction feature Love for Remodeling
Meet one of the seniormost architects of Nepal, who loves working with traditional architecture, because as he says, “Working on a clean slate is not creative at all.”
Text By Shuvechchhya Pradhan
hen we reached Bibhuti Man Singh’s office one afternoon of May, the first thing I noticed was the building. The neo-classical building was all cracked up, and even from the outside, it looked uninhabitable. At the same time, there were people working in the building where his office was—repairing a wall here and a door there. The wooden staircase that led to his room was misguiding, as I thought it would lead us to a small corridor that would eventually lead us to his room. Instead, the staircase opened up to the whole flat, divided into two rooms without exact walls. His desk was on the left side from the staircase with a bookshelf behind it. Sitting in his chair, the architect famous for designs like that of Dwarika Hotel and the new building of St. Xavier’s School, welcomed us with a smile. Bibhuti Man Singh has been around the architectural scene of the country for around 43 years, ever since he graduated from West Pakistan University of Engineering and W Technology. He then went on to do a post graduate training through a JICA sponsored Build Issue 1 159 Venue coutesy: Tangalwood Apartment, Tangal program under the auspices designs. He thinks that, ideally, of the Housing Corporation of designs should spring from Japan in 1978. “I was always the site on which one is trying interested in making house to intervene for the creative models as a child, despite not inputs. At the same time, he knowing it to be architecture. adds that other factors like I used to do lots of sketches social history, culture, and looking at other people’s tradition, besides the physical photographs. This got me features that are part of the interested in the field,” he site’s assets, should also be shares, when asked how it all taken into consideration. “One started. needs to combine them and try While the architect has to create a dialogue with the designed many modern site and its features, resulting buildings like Park Village Hotel in the form,” he states. & Resort and Club Himalaya, “It is extremely challenging he has a thing for traditional when it comes to traditional
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“Ideally, designs should spring from the site on which one is trying to intervene for the creative inputs. At the same time, other factors like social history, culture, tradition, and physical features that are part of the site’s assets, should also be taken into consideration.”
only because of his clients’ damaged by the earthquake,” huge collection of artifacts. he says. Additionally, one also needs But what about the temples? to have proper housing for Bibhuti Man Singh thinks the artifacts, thus one needs that we shouldn’t hesitate to know their history. “We to use modern methods of also need to rely on modern strengthening the structure, technology to install the since it has to be strong, for artifacts securely. This is out of one thing. UNESCO points necessity” he says. out that renovation doesn’t Due to the recent great only mean getting back the earthquake of April 25, many physical shape of the traditional old houses and buildings have structures, it also means getting gone down, but some are still back the traditional skills and standing, albeit with cracks in the settings, thus resulting in them. Because of lack of proper authenticity. But, he points out awareness, many owners that if we don’t use modern of the still intact traditional strengthening elements like houses could be thinking of steel and cement, the temples demolishing their houses will fall down again, which and build new concrete ones. should not happen again. He thinks that demolishing “We can use the same façade, isn’t always necessary, unless and then conceal the inner side the retrofitting cost exceeds artfully. But, then, the UNESCO 40% of new construction. “It charter also says that if you
Photo: ECS Media Photo: all depends on how much want to use contemporary remodeling/retrofitting is elements, they have to be artifacts,” he says. “You cannot required. I personally love seen clearly. They say that the cut it down and it cannot be put retrofitting because it’s more traditional element and the in a random setting. You need to challenging. Anyone can make element introduced later should keep it in the traditional setting, a new house from scratch, be differentiated. That’s not considering the height and the but sticking to the traditional necessarily true, possible, or light of the property. It isn’t architecture and setting is more advisable. Why should we show feasible to keep them a modern challenging. Working on a it? If we can have the same hotel room; new elements need clean slate is not creative at all. effect by concealing the steel to be added to give it a modern Starting from scratch is easier. element incorporated inside the touch.” Of course, that’s not the But, then, if the structure is traditional element, then why only challenge in present times. really old and retrofitting costs not? That’s more challenging There are minimum number a lot, it is advisable to rebuild than the naked exposure of the of people who actually have than repair.There are different contemporary element. All of traditional artifacts remaining. ways of retrofitting, such as us have our own opinion. They He explains that his projects concrete jacketing and steel are also correct when it comes on traditional architecture jacketing. We’ve done that in to their ideological purity of till now have been possible many schools that haven’t been all interventions to be clearly
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Photo: ECS Media visible and separated from happened this time? The bricks the traditional element. It is a hadn’t been degraded, there commendable ideology,” he says. was also not much damp. I am So, what does one need to wondering whether it is age- keep in mind when remodeling related factor, because similar old houses? He argues that structures (neo classical Rana people can take UNESCO’s buildings) have faced lots of Venice Charter that talks about damages. I am sure this will authenticity and reversibility as a be assessed and researches guideline. “But, in my opinion, if will be done. Many teams have the traditional feature is revived already arrived in Nepal to from the outside in the setting conduct research,” he explains. it was before, then you can be So what does he plans to comfortably modern inside the do with the house? “We are building. We must have modern still studying the building. We plumbing, of course; we must will plan once our structural have large windows, and we engineer gives us the report. must have ventilation. We cannot But dismantling is not an use the same five feet chaukas of option. It is a historical house the old houses now too.” (it also being the house of the Similarly, he shares that late Ganesh Man Singh). Also, although the traditional it will be quite a stupid thing to technique might have build a new one that looks like been earthquake resistant, this one,” he says. withstanding one or two Bibhuti Man Singh has till earthquakes, the latest now been involved in two disaster proved that the purely commercial projects which traditional ones have also used traditional architectural gone. “Most of the old houses design: Dwarika’s Hotel in and temples are gone. The Battisputali and Tangalwood old settlement in Sankhu and Apartment in Tangal. “When Bhaktapur are also all gone. the client asks for something Yes, one may say that the people very traditional, and when have intervened, disturbing the they have a collection of structure and the strength, so traditional elements, then you the houses have come down. can go ahead with traditional But the purely traditional ones architecture.” He says of the have also fallen down,” he latter project, “Tangalwood shares. had 8-10 traditional crafted The architect also thinks windows and we had to that the age of the houses had include them. I kept them all their role in creating havoc in one block, and to maintain after the earthquake. He gave the ambience, the other the example of his own house, blocks were also designed to pointing towards the white complement the main block.” building seen from his office Beside these two projects, he window, which is more than has been involved in restoring 110 years old. “Nothing had and renovating many small happened to it during the 1934 temples in various localities earthquake, but during this one, and many international expos many damages have occurred. like World Expo in Japan, The main wall has cracked. Germany, China, Australia, The earthquake of 1934 should and now in Italy, preparing also have had the same effect pavilions that represent Nepali with four waves, right? So what architecture.
164 Build Issue 1 Keeping Tradition Alive Text By Neema Ghimire His home is an example were not enough, and traditi onal designs, as it of his commitment we had a diffi cult ti me is one of the best ways to towards conserving searching for suitable preserve culture for the Nepal’s age-old art and opti ons.” The designs on upcoming generati ons.” culture. Jeevan Acharya’s the wooden frames are His desire would not have traditi onal Newari-style actually a combinati on of been successful without house at Bhainsepati the old windows brought the help of Architect stands proudly, from Bhaktapur and those Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, unaff ected by the recent made by the woodcarvers towards whom he is very shudders of the earth of Bungamati . thankful. “He proposed that devastated so many Every corner of the the idea of such a house, other houses. exterior of the house and he made all eff orts to The exterior of the is worked in detail make it a success,” says house refl ects traditi onal to refl ect traditi onal the proud house owner. Newari architecture, Newari architecture. “My while the interiors are intenti on is to preserve completely modern. the culture,” he says. “I Constructi on started: “Those window frames, want people to keep the A.D. 1997 ti les, and bricks were all traditi onal design of their Completed: A.D. 1999 brought from our old houses intact. Because Owner: Mr. Jeevan and house in Bhaktapur,” he of the earthquake, many Sunita Acharya reveals. “We tried our people are going to Design/Concept: best to make our house rebuild their houses, so it Architect Surya Bhakta using these products, would be much bett er if Sangachhe but for some reason they they opt for such kind of Build Issue 1 165 Heritage Q & A In-between the Tremors
Text By Srizu Bajracharya
athmandu was still a frightened city a month after the quake. The city had hushed down. Inside his office in Ramshahpath, I waited for Mr. Suresh Shrestha as he answered a few important calls. Shrestha is an undersecretary and the cultural heritage management head of the Department of Archeology (DOA). It was a difficult and hectic time for them. The department had been documenting the losses of the quake from day one, and they were now discussing their next plans for the heritage of Kathmandu Valley. I, on the other hand, was in his office just to get acquainted with information to decide what our next steps as writers should be. Mr. Shrestha, a little hesitant that a writer like me would reveal and publicize his information, spoke carefully about their plans. But, now and then, when somebody would pull down the shutter outside, I would jump in my seat and ask him an impromptu question, “Did I just feel a tremor?”
Q Were you all aware of the possibility of the earthquake? We actually had a disaster management plan. The disasters that we prepared for were landslides and fire hazards. Although the earthquake in Nepal was predicted much before, we didn’t think it would be so soon and so devastating. We even had disaster policies for the seven world heritage monuments of our country. But I guess K when disasters do happen, there is no preparing for it. Q What is the DOA‘s role in all of this? The DOA has to take initiatives to protect the heritages of our country. It is in these times of disaster that the country is more
166 Build Issue 1 prone to theft; the country is will most definitely cause more facades that fell earthward. I left unprotected, while the body damages. don’t have an answer to: should counts are at the forefront. you build your house with Human lives are valuable in Q What kind of support are you concrete? Even scientists have comparison to our heritages, expecting from organizations? not been able to conclusively but it is equally important to see I think, for now, what we are describe the earthquake that what future steps we need to currently expecting from we faced on April 25. But, at take to protect and conserve our others is assistance in the form the end of the day, I think we heritages that have been affected of structural engineers and have to understand that it’s massively. These heritage sites conservation architects. That not just about how strong the weren’t just monuments that is what we need the most right buildings we have built are, it’s were standing still, they were now. People will now start also about the initiatives we part our living culture. The DOA building their houses again, take to maintain our homes and will have to simultaneously but before that, they need to buildings once they are built. make new policies for the understand what the safest and country, while trying to protect strongest way to build a house Q Do you think we can learn the ancestral living heritages. is; the correct way of designing something from this disaster? In the upcoming days, we will our monuments; do they need There is definitely a lot that we have more discussion about how retrofitting, metal supports, can learn from this disaster. we should go about rebuilding etc.; how we can still bear a I would say this was an eye- the heritages that have been traditional monument with a opener. Previously, it was the ravaged. modern structure? I think these guthi system that was looking are important questions that we after the living monuments Q Was your team down in the need to answer immediately. of the country, but later, the field when the earthquake was power was transferred to the happening? Q Do you think Kathmandu will surveillance of the government. It may seem to many that the grow into a city of concrete And, I will admit that we had not DOA was doing nothing when now that people are starting to been inspecting more deeply the the earthquake happened, but believe that concrete houses requirements of our heritage the truth is, our men visited are better? sites, and that is one reason why the damaged heritage sites Yes, a lot of houses have been the earthquake affected the sites immediately to document the reduced to rubble, but I won’t say so much. Understanding what state of our heritage sites. About that the new buildings are still went wrong and learning from 721 monuments were damaged standing. If you examine closely, it is very important. I think now in the country, out of which 133 you will see, the old houses that we have to take this seriously, were completely destroyed. came down were more than 80 and should periodically inspect Our first step was to document and 100 years old. Any house that our sites for maintenance. I the damages, the second was to was not maintained was sure to think this is also an opportunity salvage the important structures, be brought down to rubble. But, for Nepal, and a time to make idols, tundals, gajusr, etc., and you will also see that it was the our wrongs right. the third was to store them somewhere safe. We also knew that we couldn’t say that the monuments that were still standing were safe, because some damages were internal. Suresh Suras Shrestha, Even a small tremor could bring Under Secretary (CAO) Head, some of the standing monuments World Heritage Conservation Section, down to rubble. We knew we had Department of Archaeology, to start immediately scaffolding Ramshahpath, Kathmandu, Nepal. such monuments. The monsoon is near, and we are trying to see what we can do to protect these heritage sites, because the rain
Build Issue 1 167 Heritage feature Modern Vs. traditional construction: Is it really a contest? The recent earthquake has triggered a debate among the public about which construction model is better. Prajwal Hada, one of the popular architects in the country, explains our writer in this context.
Text By Suvechha Tandan
n light of the recent earthquake, the question arises: is modern construction better than traditional construction? An inquiry into methods and techniques required in both types of constructions might answer the query. The aesthetics of modern construction, not to mention the technology and materials used that give modern buildings their durability during earthquakes ( at least in comparison to older buildings) are seen as the major triumph of newer buildings over older ones. But dismissing traditional techniques, that have lasted for a much longer time in Nepal (up to the 1990’s), without examining them closely would be far too contemptuous to the knowledge of our ancestors. Are modern and tradition so invariably different that they cannot be merged at all? Or is there a middle path, which infuses both methods Modern construction techniques and traditional construction techniques are not different but merely successors and predecessors of each other. Along with construction technology, the materials that are used also evolve. With cost being one of the biggest factors that is changing, newer materials come with different properties. So, are traditional buildings inferior to their more modern counterparts? This question is mostly posed in light of the earthquake, where well-built structures have sustained minimal damage, while most traditional buildings have taken a blow. However, one must also account for the fact that traditional buildings might be I earthquake resistant too, with the only difference being the natural wearing of the A traditional house is naturally well ventilated and insulated
Modern Vs. traditional construction:
Build Issue 1 169 Both construction techniques play an important state that the technology used before should be used role in our life. The traditional houses that speak to build the structure again, of years of culture and knowledge, and the traditional technology can undergo an update. In fact, modern houses which state us to be in par with much of the conservation work the global community. being done does incorporate modern theories of structural support. Organizations like the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust are working on blending materials over age. One must is maintained by mechanical the two seamlessly. They and also consider that recently means. other such organizations prove made buildings are just mere If traditional houses have that this dichotomy between copies of older built for ms. such numerous positive modern and traditional styles of It is true that maintaining aspects then why are people building is a false one. a traditional house takes not building them? The answer Another example of the more expenditure than is that although traditional fusion of modern technique newer homes. Traditional houses have many advantages, and traditional construction is homes have a combination they have low selling value in the usage of tie beams to tie the of wood and brick in their comparison to their modern walls of a traditional structure, construction. Wood is an counterparts. which gives the structure organic material, liable to So does the choice have to be stability while maintaining the degradation over the years. either traditional or modern, traditional aesthetic. Maintaining the structural or can it be both? A fusion In conclusion, while both integrity of the building lies in of modern structure with a construction techniques need maintaining the wooden posts traditional façade can be -“a not be two sides of a coin, both and beams, replacing them pride of the community”-, play an important role in our when necessary. However, maintaining our cultural life. The traditional houses that the long term expenditure heritage while being with the speak of years of culture and of a modern building far times in terms of structure. knowledge, and the modern outweighs that of a traditional Additionally, for temples houses which state us to be in home. A traditional house is that have been partially or par with the global community. naturally well ventilated and completely destroyed the Both are equally important and insulated, while in modern future might not be bleak. neither should be considered homes the same condition Although conservation norms inferior to the other.
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RURAL CONSTRUCTION Part3 Rural Construction feature
Mud as Building Material
Mud as a building material has many qualities that provide adequate and comfortable shelter, besides, it’s natural.
Text By Suvechha Tandan
hen we think of mud in these rainy days, all we think of is the filth that clings to our shoes, or the dirt that gets stuck to our vehicle and other places wherever possible. But, mud has more layers of uses to it than being only a nuisance. It is actually the ground we are standing on. It is our shelter. Although, today, concrete has taken that position as far as shelter is concerned, mud W is still more preferable.
Mud is the shelter provided to us by nature, and no other material can be as protective as nature. When used properly, mud can be a cost effective and durable building material that will stand for generations.
Mud is one of the most-used these materials with mud can and trusted building materials be eco-friendly too, as it is a in traditional Nepali houses, resource that is in abundance especially in the rural areas. and requires very little energy Whether it be the mud bricks to produce. used in houses of hilly areas, The common saying is that or mud plaster applied on a mud house needs a good buildings in the Terai region, boot and a tall hat, with a good mud has always been a vital foundation and an overhanging component of the traditional roof that reaches 3 to 4 feet architecture of our country. beyond the outer wall, in However, it does have which case, it might last a some limitations as a building hundred years. Mud houses material, and that is why use are naturally insulated, so they of concrete has increased, become cool in summers and replacing mud. The recent warm in winters. They are earthquake has forced us to extremely strong if constructed question as to what the most correctly, and proponents of reliable building material earth houses claim them to be could be. And, the answer is resistant to earthquakes. again mud. Mud is the shelter The problems faced in provided to us by nature, and the mud house are generally no other material can be as termites and rain. Termite protective as nature. When infestation can be prevented used properly, mud can be by constructing a layer of a cost effective and durable stones all around building; this building material that will also helps to prevent damage stand for generations. Besides, to the walls by splashing of it also affords natural air rain water. The best way of mud, making mud bricks or egg conditioning. Furthermore, protecting any wall from shaped mud pellets, filling bags when reinforced with sand, either rain or sun is to have with compacted mud (which clay, or cement, mud can rival a good big overhang to your are used for construction), or the hardness of concrete. roof. The sloping, or pitched coating a structure in mud Additionally, the cost of roof, is better, because the plaster. construction of these buildings walls need not be as high as is only a fraction of the cost of for a flat roofed house, and we Various mud contructions building a conventional house can provide trenches around 1. COB with commercial materials. the house to receive dripping This technique is preferable The growing demand for water and drain it away. for low height and curved or bricks and concrete damages The construction of round walls. It comprises of our environment and natural buildings with mud mainly adding a little water to the mud resources. The replacement of consists of either ramming to mold a mud pellet in the
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shape of a huge elongated egg parallel planks that are tied to (usual size is between 12- 18 each other with either nuts and inches long with a diameter bolts or wooden ties. The mud of 6 inches).The cobs are laid is then rammed with the use side by side, forming a wall of a wooden of metal ramrod. three or four courses high. The This technique is repeated to sides are then smoothed over, form the walls of the structure, covering any holes and cracks. consisting of two or more courses of rammed earth. 2. Rammed earth This method is efficient for 3. Adobe strong single storied houses. The adobe or sun-dried bricks The technique involves stiff method can be used for a two mud poured between sturdy storied construction.
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The construction of buildings with mud mainly these houses are far more earthquake-resistant than consists of either ramming mud, making mud other local houses in Nepal. bricks or egg shaped mud pellets, filling bags The technology used in that part of our country was with compacted mud, or coating a structure in developed during the Lichhavi mud plaster. era, but unfortunately, it was not spread throughout the country. Basically, in Humla’s houses, horizontal and transverse members are laid The mud brick construction of the other with barbed wire on the wall. The wall is further is the grand, albeit known, in between the layers of earth strengthened by making holes secret of traditional bags. This technique is used for in the walls in line with the construction in our country. a single storied construction. scaffolding holes to have a May it be sun-dried bricks Mud plaster can be applied grid of 3x3 feet. Further jail of with simple clay mortar, or to fill any holes and to make bamboo is made and inserted mortar made from oil, vegetal the structure aesthetically in interior and exterior resin, and red clay, sun-dried appealing. The load of the walls. The jail is tied to the bricks have been used in mud-filled bags is what makes joist, which strengthens and every part of our country to the structure stable. stabilizes the building. construct houses. The molding The foundation of a mud As our society modernizes, of the bricks is the most house, or any other house, embracing newer technologies important aspect of this type should rest on sturdy and and materials, mud houses of construction, as the bricks stable material. In case of are being considered provide the strength, as well availability of stone, it can be inferior to their modern as cover, to the structure. The placed under the foundation. counterparts. Although the drying of the bricks should be Using the under layer of the mud house cannot reach sky an eventual process that takes soil, by ramming it to make high, it provides comfort place gradually in four weeks. it compact, is also a viable without any additional cost, alternative. requires minimum amounts 4. Wattle and daub of funds as compared to This construction technique Selection of soil newer constructions, and is technically the plastering of The soil used to undergo any is a salute to our culture, mud on a structure of wood of the above constructions whose abundance of building and woven bamboo. The height must not contain any organic knowledge has resulted in of this construction depends material. Preferably, the the traditional Newari adobe on the structure, rather than top two feet of soil must be house. the mud plaster. The layer excavated, and the underlying The saying “for you of mud plaster creates an layer soil should be used. After are dust, and to dust you shall insulation layer and ensures excavation of required soil for return” effectively states the that the structural integrity of construction, the top soil layer importance of mud in our the bamboo and wood remains must be restored. life. From building mud pies intact in case of heavy rains. For mud mortar, grey clay as kids, to building simple Additionally, mud plaster is most preferable, which is mud houses, and to building can also be used to provide mixed with either straw or cow enormous structures, our insulation in GI sheet roofs. dung. civilization has come far. But, According to the research why do we need to sweep 5. Earth-bag construction study conducted in Humla’s aside mud construction This construction technique local houses by Prof. Dr. Jiba completely? Why can we uses sacks or bags that are Raj Pokhrel, Vice Chancellor not incorporate mud as filled with rammed mud, of NAST (Nepal Academy of an element in our modern which are stacked one on top Science and Technology), buildings?
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Rural Construction feature Of Bamboos, Pigs and Innovative Construction Stick houses, that is, houses made using bamboo sticks, can be a handy option for providing strong and safe shelter in villages.
Text By Shreeansh Agrawal
‘ ot by the hair of my chinny chin chin. I will not let you in,’ said the second little pig before the wolf blew his stick house down. Well, here is a stick house that will most definitely stand. Architects Neelima Basnet and Joao Boto Caeiro have established a new style of making houses that is perfect for rural areas. Here is a retrospection on how it all started. The village of Bista Gaun appeared before us as a surprise, after we had been driving along a dirt road beyond Chapagaun for about half an hour. Any sign of accessibility, such as a road, would have been incongruous to the thickets of trees and the deep gorge below that we were riding next to. In a clearing next to a house that was half destroyed, a large group of people were toiling away in the sweltering heat. Two people hacked bamboo sticks. Two others drilled holes into the sticks and screwed nut bolts in. A third party made markings on the uncut Nbamboos. Amidst all this action stood an unassuming Build Issue 1 181 Bamboos are joint to each other by nut bolts and are sealed into place with poured cement
182 Build Issue 1 Photo: ECS Media The build team in conversation with Neelima What is the most in Kathmandu and travel very interesting person is sings songs and dances difficult day you have to and fro. a man named Bruno. He when he is not working. had so far? used to be a bar-tender We had initially tried Tell us more about the in Switzerland. He saw How have the locals staying here itself. So people who are helping what was happening received you? one fine day, we got out. here in Nepal through With a lot of food. I could what looked like a fancy Well, we have an American a Portuguese news have sworn that I have enough tent and went lady who had sold off her channel and decided gained weight despite off to sleep. I woke up in belongings and decided to within the span of two working the whole day! the middle of the night travel the world. She was hours to pack his bags We all love having each and found my legs half in a Greek island when she and show up here. He other around, and I am immersed in water! It had heard news of the second was in a nightmare when really proud of the fact rained at some point and earthquake, and decided he came. He had lost his that everyone in the all the water had seeped to fly to Nepal, assuming bags and had no idea community is helping out. through. It didn’t help that someone or the other what to do and where We have almost become that the locals had seen might be able to use her to go. I met him because one extended family. The poisonous snakes and help. Luckily enough, she I had found his bags (I young men learned how tigers roaming around in came across our work was coordinating with to use tools like drilling the night. I did not want and decided to help. She Portuguese tourists) and machines and automatic a snakebite to be the end now drives us back and contacted him. He has saws and have become of me, if not pneumonia! forth from the location become one of the most experts. That night, we slept at a on her little Omni van. hard-working members of Initially we had many local’s house, but decided Of course, it gets a little the team now. The kids people working with us, that from that day we cozy - eight of us manage here love him! He plays but now they need to would sleep comfortably to squeeze in! Another football with them and head off to their farms to
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Neelima Basnet, giving relief work. They had decided and actively choosing not to directions, and occasionally to start building shelters after associate themselves with an stealing a proud glance at the looking at the desolation of organisation, everyone learned quaint little house they had Bista Gaun. Mostly consisting how to make these homes. Once built so efficiently in the span of of farmers who worked for two were successfully done, a week. farm owners and had very Joao headed back to Portugal. After all the introductions, little property of their own, the The two houses that they had Ms. Basnet explained the village was hit quite severely by built over a week were so situation to me as we sipped at the earthquake, demolishing a good, that Neelima and her the hot, milky tea that one of lot of what many locals called friends were approached to the locals brought us. Neelima home. What followed next make six more. They readily and her two friends Pedro and sounds almost fictional. took up the task, equipped with Lourenço from Portugal, had They came across renowned working knowledge and an been involved in intense relief Portuguese architect Joao Boto expanding team of dedicated work in collaboration with Caeiro through a mutual friend. individuals who had flown over the Business and Profession Joao was a man who specialised to help after hearing about this Women (BPW) organisation. in bamboo structures. He flew amazing project. Pedro and Lourenço had been over to Nepal and built two Over the next sixty days, backpacking across Asia and bamboo homes in the span of they toiled under the sun from landed in nepal on the 24th of a week, as Pedro, Lourenço, around seven in the morning to April, 2015, 15 hours before the Neelima and a few others who eight, nine, sometimes ten in the infamous quake. After shaking had come to help, observed night. The village community off the fear and finding refuge and learned. With the whole too worked tirelessly in what in Dwarika hotel, they had team financing their own was a very efficient division of started helping Neelima with food, transport and lodging labour: the women carried old
work on sowing, because bureaucratic. We want stands something Ropain (planting season) is to, in fact, incept this exceedingly simple here. The young men have way of making houses and beautiful. All one started going to colleges to other communities so requires is grit and too, which had remained that they can go off and dedication to make closed so far because of do it on their own without for something that is the earthquake. It makes relying on us. We claim no genuinely beneficial. our job slightly harder, but ownership of this project. To find out more about we are glad that their lives However, Joao (the what Neelima and her are returning to normal, architect who initially friends are doing, or to perhaps even partly started this) is really happy help out, feel free to thanks to us. with how this is working contact her: out and so, he is working Are you looking to on an instruction manual E-mail ID: neeli_bas@ standardise this effort and an AutoCAD design. hotmail.com at some point in the This will be available to Website: www. future? anyone who asks for it. neelima.com.np We prefer not to be a We ourselves will also be It is perhaps somewhat formal organisation at heading off to more rural sad that the idea of a the moment because villages equipped with stick house became so each person works out this manual and all the defamed because of a of his own incentive and material. The target so fairy tale about pigs and the exchange of money is far is to make around 50 wolves. But here we stand completely transparent. houses. at the brink of a revival of Everyone knows what has Amongst all the bamboo houses, perhaps been paid for by who. voluntourism, complicated the next big solution for This little system could relief work and outrightly rural construction all over get messy if it becomes false promises, here Nepal.
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A roof frame made out of bamboos that have been treated in makeshift pits of borox and boric acid bricks to and fro, the men did along the side with bamboos 60,000, excluding labour and the digging and hammering, and that have been slid in to the transport costs. It is light and the children filled holes near the aforementioned iron rods. flexible, but durable at the joints with cement. They plan to These are the basics. The same time. Neelima certifies finish building at least the frame house can then be customised. this after making twenty and roof of all the houses before Tin roofs can be screwed people hang by the frame and July sets in, as they have to be atop the frame, with another seeing if it breaks. It doesn’t. conscious of the rains now too. bamboo sheet underneath the It is nothing if not feasible tin to insulate the house from for rural communities, Process the heat. The sides of the house earthquake or no earthquake. A foundation of about five by can be barred off with strips of The biggest advantage perhaps three meters is laid (variable bamboo weaved into the frame is the fact that it is very easy to according to what the resident with iron wires, supported by make one. Rural communities wants) with iron rods jutting the thicker sticks and pillars can easily get their hands out at regular intervals along along the edge. A layer of cow on basic building materials the edges. Pillars are built out dung and red mud - a good like bricks, cement, iron and of brick and mortar on all four substitute for cement - can be bamboo. Once trained how corners. While this is being applied on these bamboo sticks to make one, along with done by one team, the other to make for a solid wall. The supporting diagrams and team works on the bamboos. floor can be given the same an instruction manual that A roof frame is made out of treatment. Neelima is working on, Any bamboos that have been treated able-bodied man would be in makeshift pits of borox and About the house able to make one for himself. boric acid. Bamboos are joint The houses are meant to be This concept could even to each other by nut bolts that long lasting. Treating the find its base in Kathmandu, slide inside the bamboo and are bamboo well enough and doing where architect Joao Boto sealed into place with poured a thorough job means that the Caeiro is hoping to construct cement. The frame is attached house can last healthily well larger buildings like schools to the pillars with more nut over twenty years. All this can and medical centres, if there is bolts and cement, supported be done with a budget of NRS enough interest.
186 Build Issue 1 advertorIal Bamboo Houses,
the way to go! B amboo is a unique In this age of sustainable Himalayan Bamboo Pvt Ltd fast growing natural development and global warming has been promoting prefabricated resource. It is one of the bamboo also acts as a ‘green bamboo as a construction material most important non- material’ for construction as it for more than a decade. Bamboo timber forestry products requires 1/3rd of wood and 1//8th houses combat climate change, and one of the most important of concrete for construction of a encourage economic growth and agricultural plants in the world. building. Bamboo has 30% more protect the less privileged from It has the highest growth rate carbon sequestration rate than natural disasters. Its tensile and (upto 90 cms a day) and a short that of trees and has been touted compression strength make it rotation period of 3-6 years along as the ‘timber of 21st century’. earthquake resistant as the whole with having regeneration capacity. In the post earthquake scenario house acts as a lone entity and A permanent bamboo house of Nepal, these bamboo houses the construction materials have construction has been suggested as are the feasible and economic lightweight as compared to the a way to protect people in disaster solution for building back better. traditional brick and mortar house. prone area. The 7.5 earthquake that his Limon, Costa Rica in 1991 For more informati on also may suggest so where the Contact earthquake destroyed concreted Himalayan Bamboo Pvt Ltd and rebar houses, leaving Jaycees Marg, Thapathali Kathmandu approximately 20 of the flexible Phone no. 4100575 bamboo houses standing at the Email: [email protected]/ [email protected] epicenter of the earthquake. Website: www.himalayanbamboo.com Connect with us on facebook.com/himbamboo Rural Construction feature Can Rural Roofing Techniques Take The Heat? Thatch has good insulation properties, but are highly combustible; however, there are ways to beat the heat.
Text By Suvechha Tandan
hatch is a plant material that is used to cover the roof. In most rural areas of Nepal, thatch is the most-used roofing material as it a resource that is easily available and provides insulation, which its metal counterpart fails to accomplish. But, in an area where temperatures reach sweltering extremes, a flammable material such as thatch is a liability. Recent statistics have shown that 71.9% of houses in the terai region have thatched roofs. Furthermore, in the period from 1983 to 2003, rapidly spreading fires due to thatched roofs T claimed 1175 lives. Additionally, Barauli Community Lodge, Nawalparasi, Nepal. hundreds of houses were The materials used are cipolin plastic, rope, destroyed and possessions reduced to ashes. Maybe the and mud. The process is simple, requires low alternative would be to use manpower, and is effective. C.G.I sheet on roofs? However, the metal sheets would render the interior of the house as hot as an oven, so what could be thatch roof rather difficult to covers the entire roof (length the way out in a losing battle ignite easily. and breadth). Half of the with the natural elements? The materials used are plastic should be used to The answer has arrived as cipolin plastic, rope, and cover each slope. Next, the research has progressed. Dr. mud. The process is simple, plastic of the slope which is Jibraj Pokharel has started the requires low manpower, and to be worked on should be solution for thatch roofing in is effective. First, a 90-gauge folded and placed at the other Nepal. The solution renders the cipolin plastic is used, which slope for a short time. Most
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The fire resistant thatch roofing does not burn The materials also retain the insulation property of even when burnt from the inside. This is due to thatch roofing, which helps to the fact that the mud layer does not allow air to maintain the thermal comfort in the house. Additionally, enter, making combustion difficult. the long-term cost prospect of the thatch roof is better than that of C.G.I sheet roofing. Metal sheet roofing would importantly, a few days before a band of mud at 3’3” below make the interior temperature the commencement of work, the edges, and tie it at 3’3”. rise, which would require the mud should be laid on and This process is repeated until mechanical means for cooling, covered with hay and thatch the work on both the slopes is which would in the end mean for its decay. finished. high long term expenditure. Then, a half inch layer Thus, fire resistant thatch This technique makes of decayed mud should be roofing is created. The thatch use of man-made materials applied above the roofing roofing thus made does not used in combination with of the first slope, making burn even when burnt from naturally found resources. the breadth of 3’3”. After the inside. This is due to the It adds the property of fire applying the layer at 3’3”, tie fact that the mud layer does resistance to the insulation the plastic with plastic rope, not allow air to enter, making property of thatch roofing. and then apply cipolin washer combustion difficult. If the roof These types of innovations at the slope, its edges, and at is burned from the outside, the are the requirement of the the vertex. After the work is plastic burns, but not rapidly. developing needs of our society. finished on the first slope, fold Furthermore, this technique Conclusively, older techniques the plastic of the second slope uses low cost materials to should be updated with newer towards the first slope, and meet effective standards. materials and techniques to again apply the mud layer to For a developing nation, low move ahead in development in the second slope. An important cost materials that have high a way that suits housing culture point to consider is to apply effectiveness are a boon. of our communities.
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Rural Construction feature
Safe Toilets, Safer Community
The destruction from the recent earthquake(s) made hundreds of thousands homeless. One of the prime concerns was how to provide them hygienic sanitation facilities.
Text By Neema Ghimire
hen it comes to sanitation especially toilet use, we are very careful to keep our toilets clean. We clean it as soon as we are done with its use. And, at least once a week, we make sure we clean it in a thorough way, using all the toilet cleaners available to make it shine and smell good. A toilet carries a lot of bacteria, and when they are not cleaned on timely manner, we suffer from various diseases. So, maintaining sanitation facilities is very important, and it starts from our homes. However, sadly, the scenario is not the same all over the country. We live in a relatively well-facilitated city like Kathmandu, and when we think about the picture of a rural area, all that comes to mind is pleasant green scenery, fresh air, and open spaces. We visit such places for a limited time, and we feel like we want to stay in the place forever. But, we do not realize the problems that exist in such rural settings, and if we really think about it, we won’t feel like staying there for a long time. You might have gone to those places where you have said, “Oh my! This place is heaven.” The only problem there was of the inadequate toilet facilities; you would have to find out some bushy area to relieve yourself from Nature’s calls. W192 Build Issue 1 While you stayed in the place for just a few days, and had a lot of trouble due to lack of toilet facilities, you can imagine the health status of the people living in those areas. When we make plans for rural development, we do it sitting in the city, instead of visiting the rural areas. It is important to be in the battlefield to fight the battle. Staying out of the battlefield and making strategy for war is not helping us in any way to win the war. Winning the battle of proper sanitation is a challenge for those organizations that are into it. Even an organization like UN-Habitat faced many ups and downs while setting up proper sanitation facilities in rural areas. C o u r t e s y : UN Habitat Rajesh Manandhar, Water & Sanitation Coordinator at UN-Habitat, this practice, government and It is even greatly realized because shared the experience of his struggle development partners along with many existing facilities were either for proper sanitation facilities in UN-Habitat came up with some well totally damaged or unsafe to use,” rural areas. When government thought out plans. They started he reveals. As many people were and development partners like UN working in a whole district with displaced from their homes, they did agencies and I/NGOs started a plan the help of different local level not have access to safe toilets. This to improve the sanitation of such authorities. “The target has been need was understood by support areas, the first thing they did was, achieved in many districts. We have organizations and volunteers, they built a toilet for each house they created such an impression among and they built toilets so that they approached. All the agencies were people that if somebody does not wouldn’t have any health issues at happy at this first step in sanitation, have a charpi (toilet) in their home, the time of this crisis.” until they went back to the same it questions their health, dignity, and Although there are different place after a year or so with a lot safety.” requirements to build a toilet, the of expectations that all of the built Mr. Manandhar further stated temporary solution was a big relief as toilets would be in use. However, that two types of strategies: SLTS the basics of toilet was maintained. This the picture was quite different than (school led total sanitation) and CLTS is actually good progress in terms of expected. Many toilets were not used (community led total sanitation) were humanitarian support to quick fix the for the intended purpose, and some applied to create this awareness, issue. It enforces the raised awareness were not even used once. According but that despite different plans among people for their health. UN- to him, “Today, many organizations and strategies to create awareness, Habitat started its sanitation program have accepted that they need to there will still be communities who with five earthquake affected districts, address sanitation issues differently feel that they do not need a charpi with sanitation coverage reaching 99% to bring behavioral change, but we because their forefathers were fine before the disaster, which is assumed still do not have a full 360 degree without it. “Especially, it is difficult to decrease to 20% in the days ahead. view of rural sanitation challenges. to bring behavioral change among Now, the challenge lies to revive Yet, we have learned quite a lot.” He the last segment of people who still the previous sanitation status of the added, “Early sanitation promoters feel comfortable defecating in the district. gave more focus on toilets rather open, and issues are different in The figures are improving, there than making people understand the different communities, he says, “But, is change in behavior, and the value of toilets. Here, we missed to we are finding local level solutions to proper models of toilets are being paint the pictures of benefits in their this age-old challenge, and we have proposed by the government that is minds, but focused only about the gained a lot of success in changing also followed by the organizations physical structure.” this situation.” who work in the sanitation sector. He continues, “As a result, people According to him, apart from The day when Nepal can be are not adequately aware of the the age-old challenge encountered, announced as a country with 100% implications of defecating in the there was another challenge, that universal sanitation coverage is not open, and the benefits it can have of unpreparedness for the mega far. The country is committed to for them and their community as disaster. “This challenge has gained attain this status by 2017, with the a whole, if they construct and use new importance after the mega government taking the lead, and safe toilets. Open defecation is not earthquake, which stresses the various organizations supporting the healthy behavior. To discourage importance and need of safe toilets. mission—a sure recipe for success.
Build Issue 1 193 Rural Construction feature Rebuilding What Was Lost Nepal currently faces three main challenges. The fi rst is rebuilding of lives damaged by the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks and other induced disasters. The second is promulgating a new constitution acceptable to all stakeholders. The third is building a prosperous Nepal.
By Ajaya Dixit (Interview conducted by Girish Subedi) he devastating earthquake of April 25 affected the lives of Nepali people in many ways. This interview feature with Ajaya Dixit helps us take a deeper look into the intricacies of what happened, and what needs to be done to rebuild T damaged lives. “Right after it happened” The sheer magnitude of the April 25 earthquake made it clear immediately afterwards that thousands of houses in Nepal’s cities and villages must have collapsed, valuable property must have been lost, infrastructure and heritage sites destroyed, livelihoods affected, people injured, and many loved ones would have died. The government was caught totally unaware. That it was not prepared to coordinate rescue and relief efforts became clear as the scale of the disaster unfolded. Relief efforts lacked proper procedure, and were poorly coordinated. Soon after the earthquake, the government decreed that external support for humanitarian aid must be channeled only through government coffers. The rule was revoked a few days later following global outcry in the social media. The general media reported squabbling among top officials about allocation of responsibilities. It soon became evident that the biggest limitation in response was the lack of locally elected bodies that would have mediated better rescue and relief efforts. Let us hope sanity prevails, and that our political leaders facilitate this process. We do not again want to feel sorry for ourselves.
Build Issue 1 195 The scale of the disaster capital and helicopters to the worked under ad-hoc and was huge but the irrepressible affected districts. This record often unclear conditions, while Nepali spirit sprang into was marred by two unfortunate many health post professionals action. Citizens, youth, and helicopter crashes in Dolkha and and community volunteers communities rallied together to Sindhupalchok. Kathmandu’s rushed to provide essential reach out to affected families. airport’s runway survived services even with minimal Government units, especially the shock, so did the major infrastructure and supplies. those at the forefront of highways linking Kathmandu to Radio Nepal, FM stations, rescue—the Army, Armed Police, the affected districts. However, and local television stations and Nepal Police—began doing many far-flung villages sought advice from geologists, all that they could. Their lack of remained isolated and could seismologists, engineers, and preparation and of specialized not be provided with immediate analysts to inform citizens about equipment was stark. In some relief. Party affiliation and earthquakes, aftershocks, and instances, people trapped in kinship triumphed over genuine necessary safety measures. fallen concrete could not be needs in some instances of relief Newspapers hit the stands the rescued because saws, ancillary distribution, and mechanisms very next day with details on equipment, and know-how to to address grievances were damages, stories that inspired cut through the debris were not almost non-existent. Lack of further rescue efforts, and sufficiently available. Nepal’s physical access compounded suggestions for remaining safe. friends from all over the world this bottleneck. Not everything expressed in the provided sympathy, solidarity, The National Emergency electronic and print media was and support. Operation Center (NOEC) relevant in meeting local needs, Air traffic controllers in began to work. The experts though. It seemed everyone was Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan at the Nepal Seismological learning to improvise under the International Airport kept Center kept track of aftershocks situation. the valley’s sky safe, as wide- recorded by its stations across Some earlier scenarios bodied cargo jets brought the country. Civil servants developed concerning a major humanitarian aid into the under different ministries earthquake hitting Nepal
196 Build Issue 1 feature had suggested higher scale Seismic analyst Roger Bilham recommends of damage than what we Nepal’s policymakers to reconstruct the entire experienced. Essential services such as electricity, telephone, damaged region, incorporating earthquake- banking, and internet services resistant construction. were not hindered, as feared. Damages to hydroelectric plants could have been serious, but were not. Scientific uncertainty among laypeople, as well and prepare better for the next “Nepal’s policymakers must use as experts, did allow myths, earthquake and other hazards. this opportunity to reconstruct hearsay, and divine prediction We must perform better to the entire damaged region, of another major quake to save lives and ensure that our incorporating earthquake- spread and cause ill-informed development gains are not resistant construction, and to panic. Kathmandu’s rumor demolished by future disasters. initiate ubiquitous retrofits of mill had a field day, but sane village dwellings throughout voices eventually drowned “Not episodic” western Nepal.” This is out unfounded rumors. The April 25 event occurred 80 necessary, he suggests, because, Seismologists, geologists, years after the 1934 earthquake, “Another major earthquake humanitarian relief workers, and there were many more to the west of Kathmandu is engineers, military personnel, hazardous events in between. unavoidable. And, this future and other experts from In that interval, not only did quake could be much more various countries that came to we face earthquakes, but also powerful.” Kathmandu offered suggestions floods, landslides, droughts, and support in many aspects of epidemics, and cloudbursts. “Reconstruction’s three disaster risk reduction. Unfortunately, these events navels” If the April earthquake had were considered episodic and The rebuilding efforts can occurred on a weekday or weren’t adequately linked to be broadly conceptualized during the night, the devastation their impacts on our social into three domains: private would have been unimaginable. and political spheres. This property, community property, We got lucky. Yet, had we lack of institutional learning and public property. According heeded earlier warnings and has made persistent the flaws, to government’s post disaster taken precautionary measures, gaps, and dysfunction in our needs assessment report, almost thousands of deaths could social systems. The scale of the two thirds of the damage was to have been avoided. We now damage has made this oversight private property, such as houses need to systematically glean amply clear. Seismic analyst and assets. lessons from our experiences Roger Bilham recommends, Building a home in Nepal is still very much an owner’s project; unlike in many countries where housing companies are involved and buyers pay mortgages. The Nepali process goes something like this: finances are organized, design is undertaken, and skilled masons, etc., employed; vastu puja, which can take on very elaborate forms these days, is performed on an auspicious day, and construction begins. Nepalis typically build the ground floor first and begin adding additional floors once adequate finance and need are established. One can see numerous houses in
Build Issue 1 197
feature
Kathmandu with vertical rods on the roof sticking out. More recently, private companies have started constructing modular houses and high-rise flats, while the construction industry has started becoming a bit more organized. Yet, regulation of construction quality has been grossly deficient. Families in the villages, on the other hand, were happy living in shelters built with randomly layered masonry walls bonded by wet mud. No one seems to have realized that an earthquake would hit other districts than Kathmandu, as well. Because of this oversight, walls of village houses crumbled easily and took away loved ones. In many places, given the inertia of governmental support for rebuilding, houses are being reconstructed using outdated methods. Vulnerabilities are being recreated. If new houses are to be safer, we must improve methods and material use; we have to do things differently. The government needs to become more proactive, learn from our own experience. Affected families must have better access to good design models, masons, skilled workers, ancillary services, and finances for rebuilding houses. Will the government provide concessional loans to families? If such a policy is envisioned, there is a question as to how the fund transaction can happen. Appropriate channels would be Ajaya Dixit Ajaya commercial banks, local finance institutions (LFIs), cooperatives, or self-help groups. Existing policies do allow LFIs to provide wholesale lending to locally organized groups for various
Photo courtesy: Photo courtesy: needs. Above all, provisions for concessional lending must be made conditional on incorporating new designs that
Build Issue 1 199 promote earthquake resistance. an alternative. When done Prefabricated houses may There is scope for involving appropriately, yes, such a look tidier, and can be built local hardware suppliers and building can be earthquake- faster; but are they livable? local construction groups to safe. But, quality assurances Importantly, many of the play useful roles in the process of such buildings are grossly elements for pre-fab houses are of building safer houses. All lacking from planning, design, imported; what impact do they this requires an institutional and construction. A bag of have on the national economy? mechanism, or simply put, cement in areas without roads It is important that we shape the organizations that have two costs 10 times more than reconstruction process to local basic characteristics: people that in Kathmandu. So are economy. Local materials such must have easy access to materials like reinforcement as stones, bricks, and timbers organization, and those in the bars and other materials. as construction materials, organization must respond to Sand, a key constituent of when used under appropriate peoples’ needs and concerns. cement concrete, is a rare engineering practices, can result commodity in many upland hill in safer houses. Use of straw “Fail safe shelters” settlements. Add to this lack bales, bamboos, and earth bags Building earthquake-safe of skilled masons, and when also can be explored. These shelters in Nepal faces three available, at highly inflated latter materials are already basic challenges. We have not prices. Thus, the whopping used in other countries, and seriously studied our traditional cost involved in constructing can help expand choices of buildings and taken steps cement concrete shelter is the affected families for rebuilding. to improve the technology second major challenge. Given Whether they prefer designs and materials. They are now these limitations, prefabricated with such materials is a designated unsafe, but we have material may be preferred, different story. These alternative no alternative. This is the first but it leads to huge social and building materials face greater limitation, and leads to cement economic implications—the challenges, such as the lack of a concrete being proposed as third challenge. commodity chain, appropriate
200 Build Issue 1 feature skill sets, and scalability. Families need to be asked about Nepal has immense physical and social diversity, their preferences and their ideas about safe houses. and the way people build shelters depend on the We at ISET-Nepal, in local climate, availability of materials, skill sets, partnership with Partnership Mechanism for Community and economic base of families. Radio (PMCR), a community radio broadcasting group, have developed and are and quality control measures. investing instead in constructing broadcasting Surakchit That Those still living in areas made cement concrete houses with Thalo, a radio magazine that unlivable by the earthquake columns, beams, and brick or discusses issues regarding tremors may have to shift stone walls. However, most of shelters. We ask earthquake to new locations. This is not these ‘modern’ houses do not victims from different VDCs straightforward. It requires incorporate even the basics of of affected districts to share being sensitive to people’s engineering, nor local weather their ideas about what they livelihood requirements. conditions in their design. consider as a safe home. What Families will have to maintain In Kathmandu itself, house we have captured till now has linkages with their production designs do not incorporate helped us conceptualize the bases. After all, a settlement earthquake-resistant elements. process of re-building village is an outcome of production At the same time, these houses houses. Interviewees wanted activities. are poorly insulated, hot in an earthquake-resistant home Nepal has immense physical summer, and cold in winter. with a goth, a chicken coupe, a and social diversity, and the way Further south in the terai, dhikki, a janto, and community people build shelters depend houses are not well adapted to life. Commercial items have on the local climate, availability inundation from flood. Clearly, been gradually replacing local of materials, skill sets, and much more needs to be done artifacts, yet interviewees had economic base of families. to make houses earthquake- not forgotten their traditions Traditional house designs in resistant and adapted to and practices. Our challenge the Himalayas, mountains, climatic and social variability now lies in helping these hills, valleys, and terai regions in the country. A safer house families make informed choice, depend on many factors. Yet, is ultimately linked with more as they rebuild their houses and with expanding road network, reliable and regular source of lives. They need to incorporate families are changing from income. Families with a regular elements of basic engineering their indigenous practices and income source can invest in safer and more comfortable houses for themselves and their children. This link to income and employment takes us straight into Nepal’s economics and development policy arena. Homeowners and builders have to also be cognizant of new challenges introduced by changes in the climate. Cement concrete houses have a carbon footprint as well.
“The rural urban continuum” Nepal’s rural and urban divide is blurring, but there are still obvious differences. In rural areas, we see that families have asset baskets almost similar
Build Issue 1 201 feature to urban ones. Many own TVs involved in rescuing, providing and trails. For example, in and mobile phones, and use immediate relief, as well as in Rasuwa District, an entire LPG for cooking; men along the restoring basic services like village was swept away. Near highways and newly opened electricity, drinking water, and Everest, avalanches led to high dirt roads use motorbikes, etc. health posts. These community death toll. These events have However, many rural families institutions were able to make projected a very negative image still depend on local ecosystems quick decisions, because they of Nepal to the rest of the world, for fuel-wood, livestock fodder, were closer to where actual and adversely impacted the irrigation and drinking water. resource use and the services tourism sector. Nepal’s tourism Life in the hills is even more they generate occurs. Many industry involves national and localized, because settlements operate democratically as well, international stakeholders, and are scattered and commuting is with elected office bearers. its restoration and revitalization hard; women walk for hours to However, they do fall prey to would require participation of tap stand or other local sources influence by local elites, are all stakeholders. to bring drinking water home; prone to iniquitous distribution I am confident that the health posts, health service of benefits, and lack problem- damaged tourism infrastructure providers, and availability solving capacity. Well-governed (hotels, lodges, trails, heritage of medicines are inadequate; user-based institutions can sites, etc.) will be restored government departments play a significant role in the because the country’s vibrant that provide basic services rebuilding process, and along tourism sector is assertive and are few and poorly staffed; with the market and the State, creative. Not doing so will incur while the schools have poor can keep the policy terrain in a huge losses and costs, because supplies, human resource, and creative tension. thousands of local livelihoods infrastructure. and local economy are involved. In the ‘community property’ “Revitalizing tourism” Restoration efforts would do domain, user-based resource It is a fact that many tourism much better with support management institutions are infrastructures, hotels, and from the government. The active and responsive. In the lodges, as well as landslides challenge now is on re-building immediate aftermath of the triggered by the earthquake consumer confidence and the April earthquake, many were have damaged trekking routes goodwill that Nepal enjoys.
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The expression of sympathies porters, lodge owners, homestay In each domain—of private, after the earthquakes from owners, and staff backbone of common and public property— across the world was perhaps Nepal’s tourism industry also the objective should be to build a manifestation of the human need safe accommodations. back better. Everyone is using relation we have built with the The government must take this phrase these days. But how hundred of thousands of back- special measures and encourage do we do it? There is no silver packers, trekkers, and visitors our embassies to organize bullet answer given the myriad who have visited Nepal over the promotional campaigns. The predicaments we face. Indeed, years. We have welcomed them government must support we need to build back better as friends and made them feel tourism entrepreneurs take part physically, but how do we build at home. We must continue to in trade fairs and exhibitions our intangible institutions? How improve on these attributes as to help convey the positive do we make that rebuilding key ingredients of our tourism message that Nepal is indeed process inclusive, local economy industry. safe. enhancing and publicly- Simultaneously, we need to reviewed? convey messages that Nepal “A new infrastructure layout” The use of the term, is safe, sound, and tourist- Major systems such as ‘resilience’, is becoming friendly. We must improve the roads, hydropower plants, very common. Yet, it is very quality of our human services, electricity transmission lines, difficult to determine what reliability of our internet and telecommunication and internet building resilience means telecommunication systems, systems, damaged cultural in practice. Actions to build and transport infrastructure. heritages, our taxation system resilience cannot be one-off Weather forecasting and and banking systems fall in intervention. It has to be a preparedness measure must the public property domain. continual process of assessment, be put in place to ensure safety Sectoral departments and reflection, and learning, so of travelers, back packers, the proposed Reconstruction that people and their systems mountaineers, and pilgrims for Authority can play supportive can better handle changing possible extreme events. Guides, role in restoring these assets. circumstances and riskier
204 Build Issue 1 feature futures. The iterative process Building resilience is also about building of assessment, reflection, and learning helps devise suitable local capacity under uncertain conditions so strategies to deal with those that services from the systems are available riskier circumstances. Building resilience is, therefore, a equitably, during, and in the aftermath of a journey. Simply using the hazard event. term without appreciating its meaning in practical sense is fraught with dangers. This is because in Nepal, generally, we and interdependence among knowledge, especially access rarely assess, reflect, and learn. various elements of the system to knowledge, will play a Will we do things differently that would help identify central role. There are many now? vulnerabilities and strengths, challenges on this count. We The idea of building and help us take ameliorative must examine the evolution resilience is not only about actions for improving the of the use of construction building physical systems with resilience of the system. If materials, technology, and the more reinforcement bars and resilience building is to be the regulatory regime over the cement concrete. Building guiding value in reconstruction past several decades. So far, resilience is also about building of both affected cities and we have copy-pasted methods local capacity to manage such villages, developing mechanisms developed elsewhere, done systems effectively under to assess, reflect, and learn little homework, and made very uncertain conditions so that will remain fundamental. little investment in generating services from the systems are Otherwise, we will fall into the appropriate knowledge. In fact, available equitably, during, undesirable danger zone: using the Nepali state has not invested and in the aftermath of a the term ‘resilience’ without in the welfare its citizen; if it hazard event. It requires us any commitment to its actual had, millions of young Nepali to consider the dynamics of meaning. men and women would not be multiple systems—natural as working in faraway places. They well as infrastructure—that “The right kind of would be here in productive range from, for example, knowledge” employment, participating local drinking water supply As we begin to look at systems, and contributing in improving network to internet services. their elements and linkages, overall wellbeing. We must examine linkages we must recognize that The challenges that have arisen from persistent under- investment in scientific and social education, and the attendant systems, make immediate efforts at dealing with disaster risks and development extremely daunting. We must begin to invest more in both natural and social science education, so that our students and experts have a better understanding of plate tectonics, geology, engineering, the behavior of the natural processes, and how our social and political systems react to those natural and physical systems. Increasing investment in research and experimentation are equally crucial. Yet, these investments must be matched by
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more proactive risk reduction Despite the pains and terrible consequences approach as inherent element that the April 25 disaster brought, it does offer of governance, just regulation, participatory planning, an opportunity to establish new relationships education and knowledge that will make governance more accountable. generation, taxation, and so on. Clearly, their absence led to multiplication and accumulation of risks. supporting the mainstreaming themselves. Our lawmakers As we move forward, of indigenous practices and and those at the helm of the we must reflect not only on knowledge into public policies. nation’s economy should be what we decided to do, but While expanding investment extremely worried. That will also how we did what we in knowledge production, the not begin to change until we decided to do. We must work government must support build our institutions to reverse hard to overcome the gaps Nepali analysts, scholars, and these indicators, better prepare we experienced in rescue, scientists’ work in partnership reducing future disaster risks, relief, and reconstruction of with universities, research and improve wellbeing of the April 25 earthquake and groups, and think tanks in other everyone. other disasters. In that journey, countries across the world. Despite the pains and the concern and wellbeing of Investing in such endeavors will terrible consequences that the Nepali people in the affected legitimize Nepalis as producers April 25 disaster brought, it and unaffected districts must of knowledge, rather than does offer an opportunity to remain on center stage. just consumers, and enable establish new relationships Ajaya Dixit started his career the younger generation to be that will make governance as a civil engineer in 1977. After engaged in global knowledge more accountable. Our receiving his master degree and policy making arena. responsibility is to improve from United Kingdom in 1981, provision of health, resource he returned to Kathmandu “The larger picture” access, education, employment, and began teaching hydrology, Nepal currently faces three poverty alleviation, hydraulics, and water resources main challenges. The first is employment, water and food at the Institute of Engineering. rebuilding of lives damaged security, and safe shelters, After about a decade as a by the April 25 earthquake besides addressing a host of lecturer, he pursued a career and its aftershocks and other challenges. If resilience is of independent research, other induced disasters. The to be accumulated as opposed exploring issues of drinking second is promulgating a new to risks, our government must water, irrigation, hydropower, constitution acceptable to facilitate decentralization and floods, droughts, and trans- all stakeholders. The third is participation of wide range of boundary rivers. Since the building a prosperous Nepal. actors, as well as strong and mid 90s, he has devoted his If done well, overcoming the accountable local bodies in the time in studying climate first two challenges should help risk reduction endeavor. change induced vulnerabilities, meet the third challenge. Let The April disaster showed, adaptation, and resilience us look at our developmental disregarding principles of risk building. Currently, he pursues challenge: the country’s GDP reduction and good governance these interests as Executive growth is rated at 3%, its trade led to high loss of lives, Director of Institute for Social deficit in 2013-2014 reached reversed our development and Environmental Transition– 33.34% of the GDP from 15% in gains. While emergency Nepal, where he mentors young 2004-2005. Remittance accounts humanitarian response may researchers and is working to for 29% of the country’s GDP, require specialized agency, build vibrant research-policy about 7 million young Nepalis such as an authority, risk study-ecosystem in Nepal. He work outside the country, reduction must be part of edited Nepal’s ‘First National Nepal’s manufacturing related normal development process. Report on Disaster’, which was employment base is miniscule. The principle of ‘Building Back published in 2010. He regularly What do these macro indicators Better’, therefore, requires us contributes articles to local mean? The numbers speak for to move from reactive relief to newspapers and magazines.
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Rural Construction feature Rebuilding Barpak
The April 25 earthquake caused total destruction of one of Nepal’s most scenic villages; now it’s time to rebuild.
Text By Photos: Sewa Bhattarai Rakesh Kayastha
he great quake of April 25 suddenly brought into limelight the village of Barpak, the epicenter of the quake. Without a single house left standing, it is now time to rebuild the beautiful, organized settlement back to its former glory. Bir Bahadur Ghale, the founder and managing director of Barpak Gramin Bidhyut, has taken the initiative to do just that. Ghale T hails from Barpak itself and feature
“Barpak was already a very organized village,” keeping the traditional design in mind, it is also important he remembers, “but when we rebuild it, it needs to make sure that the houses to be even more of an organized village so that are comfortable, durable, and earthquake resistant. These it serves as a model for reconstruction.” factors must be given priority, and traditional design must be modified accordingly to fit these characteristics. The materials was raised there. As such, he is This checklist of the features used must be local as far as deeply interested in the future the future Barpak was also possible, materials like stone course the village will take. corroborated by Lajana and wood, which will reduce Before the earthquake on Manandhar from Lumanti at the cost of transportation April 25, Ghale’s Barpak Gramin an interaction program held and also provide earthquake Bidhyut was producing 130 at Shilpee Theater on May 28, resistant houses. kW of hydropower. Ghale had 2015, to discuss the rebuilding Bir Bahadur Ghale went a just finished making plans for of Barpak. Besides these, Lajana step further to point out that upgrading the plant to 900- also listed access to water and at every phase of the building, 1000 kW and, planned to go on hygiene as key features of the there must be local input. a survey to Barpak, when the rebuilt village. “We plan to do the building in earthquake struck. The existing “The temporary shelters coordination with the Urban 130 kW plant also had to be that we are building now Development Department,” shut down in the aftermath of must last for 2-3 years,” said said he. “But. at every step of the quake. Lajana, “because it will take the way, right from the making After the earthquake, Ghale that long to build permanent of the master plan to the immediately held a meeting of shelters.” The materials execution, there must be local the people of Barpak living in that are used in temporary input.” Kathmandu, and embarked on shelters must be reusable for “This is not the time for an immediate relief mission. permanent shelters, as well. She outsiders to go and build But, after a month has passed, explained that each settlement something for the locals, he believes the time for relief has a complex structure of and then leave,” said Lajana. has passed, and it is time to economic and social lives, and Instead, the locals must be start the reconstruction phase. relocation must be done only empowered to do it themselves “Barpak was already a if it is absolutely necessary, through mason training and very organized village,” he because relocation is always other kinds of trainings. remembers, “but when we going to be slightly inferior to Like many other settlements rebuild it, it needs to be even reconstruction in the original in Nepal, Barpak suffers from more of an organized village place. a scarcity of young men at so that it serves as a model for All the panelists had the moment, because men go reconstruction.” agreed that the rebuilding abroad for work. In a village What he envisions for must be local-led. Dr. Bishal with a majority of women, Barpak are motorable roads Dhakal, a medical doctor Ghale believes the construction reaching every house, sewage who had recently been to work must be women-led as and drainage, and enough Barpak, pointed out that it well. “We must build some electricity for homes as well as is a village with rich history houses as models, which are industries. Since the earthquake and heritage: Gaje Ghale, a completely led and executed has made us realize the value Victoria Cross winner, hails by women,” he said. “It is a of open space, the village is from there. When designing misconception that women going to have plenty of open houses, it is important to cannot carry out construction space where people can gather incorporate traditional art work. In fact, if women are in case of disasters. Ghale also and architecture, which have trained and are confident envisions a community center, evolved over centuries, to enough, it can be done, and it is where people can take shelter suit the needs of the people the need of the day.” in case of disasters when in this particular climate. And, finally, Anil Chitrakar, houses are inaccessible. Lajana explained that, while the moderator for the session,
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When rebuilding Barpak, Ghale has in mind a guest room in every house, so that the whole village can be developed as a home stay destination and attract tourists. This will not only promote Nepal’s culture, but also encourage economic activities through tourism.
spoke about the necessity of hot Terai, and if you walked keeping scale in mind. Barpak is one hour uphill, there were one village with 1,200 families, the cold mountains. Barpak, but there are 500 more villages snugly nestled between these destroyed from the earthquake. two extremes, means “people “Hence,” he said, “any solution of the middle” in Tibetan that we come up with for language (Bar means middle Barpak must be a good model and Pa means people). When for all the other villages as well. rebuilding Barpak, Ghale We want wholesale solutions, has in mind a guest room in not retail ones, and for that, every house, so that the whole we must think scale, and how village can be developed as to apply the solution to other a home stay destination and areas.” Documentation of every attract tourists. This will not step is really important, so that only promote Nepal’s culture, they can be used as learning but also encourage economic materials. activities through tourism. Also, it is important to keep And, economic activities are in mind that reconstruction very important to the future of of destroyed villages is not Barpak, because just building enough. The villages must also the village is not enough, it be self sufficient and self reliant. must be sustainable too. “Dependence on donors is not “When I started Barpak the way to go for the future,” Gramin Bidhyut, it was a big emphasized Lajana. deal to simply have electricity Vidhan Rana from Biruwa and light up a home,” Ventures pointed out that remembers Ghale. “But that opportunities must be is not the case anymore; it is created for the youth through not enough to have electricity. entrepreneurship for the Electricity must be used long term sustainability of productively in industries the reconstructed villages. and in trade for economic There are many ways for activities.” entrepreneurship activities In the future, Barpak’s to flourish in Barpak: from strengths will be utilized to best agriculture to tourism and effect. Through enthusiastic and industry, which were made clear dedicated persons like Ghale, Perched precariously on a by Bir Bahadur Ghale. Barpak will hopefully soon be panoramic outlook, a stop at the Barpak’s perfect temperate teeming with industrial and fabled Barpak was considered both soul-stirring and unnerving after a climate is a blessing. If you commercial activities that will long day’s hike. walked one hour downhill from set it on a path of self-reliant Barpak, you would reach the and prosperous future.
Build Issue 1 213 Long road to recovery for Barpak
The epicenter of the worst earthquake to hit Nepal in nearly a century, the once-idyllic hamlet of Barpak resembled a war-zone the day after.
Despair writ large on his face, a villager gathers what he can from the rubble. Families and neighbors worked to salvage what could be re-used in the long rebuilding process ahead.
The people of Barpak did not take long to reclaim what was theirs. Here a lady works at turning a make-shift shelter into a home. Youth showed their true color, putting their sturdy hands to help.
After the initial fear and confusion of the earthquake subsided, the people of Barpak got right to work to re-instate, to the best of their abilities, all that was lost. Under Manaslu’s guardianship, a local man attempts to piece his life back together.
Moving forward, there is renewed hope for a stronger future. Photos: Nabin Baral .
GREEN CONSTRUCTION 4Part Green Construction feature Going Green with an Eco-house So, you’ve started switching off the lights when leaving the room and turning off the tap when not in use but do you really feel like it is enough?
Text By Jigyasa Subedi
ell, now that you’re already in the green groove, why not go that extra mile and change things up a bit in your life or your house? Join the bandwagon and come along for this ride to a greener and healthier future. Here are some inspiring words from Bhushan Tuladhar, the regional technical advisor of UN Habitat who built his own eco-friendly house over six years ago. As someone who was more than satisfied with how his experience turned out, he was delighted to lend his thoughts on building an environment-friendly house, or turning an already existing house into one. Bhushan Tuladhar is someone who has always been in the environment field and ideas to go green had always popped in and out of his head. So, when it was time to move out of his rented apartment, he decided to buckle down and build his own eco-friendly house. In fact, W he got his entire family into the act and yes, that Photo: ECS Media Photo:
Charging solar lamps in sunlight. includes his children and his why it is important to pay reused and recycled at home elderly father. I mean, what extra attention to the planning for different purposes, why other way to make a statement, process and look after each not use those cereal boxes to right? green component of the house. make puzzle pieces? Also, for Of course, everyone knows The main components in Mr. those who want to go that extra that Kathmandu suffers from Tuladhar’s house - which you mile and don’t mind getting all several problems, namely, are free to imitate, by the way finicky and disgusted by the water shortage, lack of proper - include: Waste management, fruit peels and egg shells, you waste management, inadequate water management, energy can try the various composting electricity, etc., which is why conservation, Maintaining methods that are used widely building an eco-friendly house greenery. in Mr.Tuladhar’s house like and properly utilizing available the vermin-composting (yes, resources is an obligatory Waste management this process requires feeding responsibility for any citizen Yes, the three R’s may have waste to worms), cardboard at the moment. Any citizen been drilled into your heads composting and aerobic who wants to make a change since grade seven but now is composting. Lastly, the use of a and work towards being eco- definitely the time to use them. bio-gas plant is the icing on the friendly, that is. Following the three R’s (reduce, cake, as it not only makes use However, as Bhushan reuse, recycle) is the most basic of the waste, but also helps to Tuladhar was easy to point out, aspect of making your house minimize and conserve energy. making an eco-friendly house environment friendly. Or, the is not an easy feat, and a lot only step that lazy people might Water management of pre-planning is required, even attempt doing. But, it is Living in a city where water is otherwise, as soon as a month the starting step to a greener so scarce is difficult but do you passes, you’ll be wishing you’d lifestyle. Of the total waste that really still want to be one of never invested your time, is produced in the house, 70% those people who perpetually money or energy into this is bio-degradable, which can contributes towards polluting business. It sure does require be turned into compost. The the environment? Let’s hope high maintenance which is inorganic mess can always be for all our sake, the answer
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Courtesy: Bhusan Tuladhar feature is no. So, why not start off by turning off the taps when not in use and reusing water? For water management, using water as efficiently as possible is the stepping stone to turning your house green. So, ditch those bottled waters and invest in some quality eco- friendly systems like the ones at Mr. Tuladhar’s house. He uses processes like rainwater harvesting, where you can accumulate rainwater and reuse it, rather than letting it run off; and grey water recycling, which recycles water from baths, sinks, and dishwashers, and uses it to using a cycle whenever it is course, the environmental water plants, wash clothes, and feasible, switching off the lights feasibility. However, you don’t flush toilets. Furthermore, to when they are not in use, etc. have to do everything that I did. become even greener, installing It’s the thought that counts, and low water consumption faucets Maintaining greenery it is impossible to incorporate and using the bio-sand filtration Let’s face it, it is difficult for all of that at once, which is methods are also highly anyone living in Kathmandu to why switching to green has recommended. attest the fact that the air they always been a gradual process. breathe in is pure and clean. So, Managing everything all at once Energy conservation bring in some potted plants and proves to be difficult, which is As we all know, we don’t get spice up your living room or why everyone should start off enough electricity in Nepal, and revamp your garden, planting slow and then progressively therefore have to use whatever your own fruits and vegetables. incorporate other aspects while we have wisely. So, lets look at Why not start a rooftop garden still operating the previous what Bhushan Sir’s eco-hous while you’re at it? As said by mechanisms.” contains and maybe try to Bhushan Tuladhar, maintaining When asked about whether adopt them in our own lives. greenery in the house is not or not he himself has been Apart from the usual switching only about going green but dedicated towards using eco- off the lights, TV, electronic also knowing that the air you friendly ways for over six years, appliances when not in use, Mr. breathe in is fresh and clean. he answered, “Obviously, there Tuladhar also uses alternative When asked about the are times when you slack off. sources of energy at home. feasibility of an eco-house, But the most important thing Instead of using electricity, they Mr. Tuladhar’s response was, is not to give up on it. I’ve seen have opted for solar bulbs and “Yes, the feasibility aspect a lot of people give up because heaters and last but definitely does have a lot to play in this, they could not stick to the not the least, they use bio-gas because you have to consider routine. You started the whole as an extra source of energy. the financial feasibility, the process because of a reason, Of course, this is not feasible technical feasibility, and of and you should stick to it.” for everyone so you should stick to what you know but if you have the determination In simple words, his experience in going green with an eco-house can be summarized in three steps and commitment needed to • Be aware of different environmental aspects and cultivate a certain operate a bio-gas system in your mindset. house, go for it! Furthermore, • Implement what you know in your lifestyle, even if it is as simple as other simple activities that his switching off the lights. family does to cut down energy • Stick to that routine and don’t be one of those people who gives up when consumption are carpooling, difficult times approach.
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Green Construction feature The Coffee More than just coffee and cake
Text By Vimla Thapa
small bamboo entry gate, four sets of wooden chairs outside, bamboo tables, a small paved path, and a lush lining of carpet grass on a stoned floor welcomes you to the idyllic “The Coffee” cafe, which has used bamboo and mud to create beautiful traditional Nepali architecture. A curly haired, casually attired man in shorts and chappals is playing a game on his iPad. He is Kang Hokyung (originally from Korea), owner “The Coffee” cafe located at Lakeside 6, Gaurighat, Pokhara. He came to Nepal in 2009 and opened a coffee cafe in Thamel, Kathmandu. In time, he became dissatisfied with the small space in Kathmandu, and thought of shifting his coffee business to Pokhara, which he did in March, 2015. ”I feel so sad when most of the people of Nepal say coffee tastes bitter, when it is actually not. The taste of real coffee comes in a combination of sour, salty, sweet, and bitter,” he says, adding, “People should be familiar with the taste of coffee. My coffee costs Rs.280 a cup, but if some customers feel that is worth no more that Rs.20 after a sip, then it is so sad. But there are others who find my coffee to be worth more than Rs.280, and they visit regularly.” His coffee range is priced between Rs.150 A to Rs 280. After a few minutes of chit chat, he Interior of “The Coffee” cafe feature
intensive and involves more of manual work rather than machines. The materials have an extremely negligible carbon footprint, and are very durable and earthquake-resistant, if constructed the right way and maintained well. They also provide high aesthetic appeal. Most importantly, these materials link us to our roots.” It was also cheaper to build than it would have been if conventional materials like bricks or concrete blocks were used. The floor area is 600 sq ft, including the service area, kitchen, bathroom, etc. The cost of the building came to A bamboo structure has an extremely negligible Rs.28, 00, 000, which included carbon footprint. It is nature’s gift when it comes material, plumbing, electrical, and labor costs. We ask him to earthquake-resistant materials. Its flexibility whether the cafe had suffered and strength prevent structures from collapsing any damages during the earthquake and aftershocks, in case of shocks. and he replies quickly, “No, not at all. There was zero damage. All our structures have survived reveals about his soul mate, structure serves as the skeleton, well.” his Japanese girlfriend Kai and the mud-plastered walls As a material, bamboo is Tsujimur, who is a professional are like the skin. All the major nature’s gift when it comes to baker and cake designer. He materials were sourced locally earthquake-resistant materials. rolls out his photo album to within a 500 km radius. The Its flexibility and strength show the variety of cakes made bamboo is from Chitwan, where prevent structures from by her. Unfortunately, she was it was harvested, treated, and collapsing in case of shocks. not around at the café that dried before bringing it here, But, it is also very important evening, but we could imagine and the red clay/mud was to understand that though the skill of her hands through obtained 5 km away from the the material in itself is strong, her boyfriend’s praise. site.” how we build with it is very More than just coffee and He adds, “Though it was important to give rise to a cakes, what attracts more is a tough job to come out with durable structure. Use of well the beauty of the architecture an idea such as this, the treated bamboo and strong of the cafe. The entire design, construction process was a very foundations and joints are including the fascinating simple and straightforward some important factors to be textures, is the creation of one. The bamboo framework kept in mind. The architect architect Nripal Adhikari, was put up first, which was a further says that, provided who briefed us about the fairly simple, yet meticulous, they are maintained well, such structure, saying, “Well, assembling of the pieces; the structures can last in good bamboo and earth/mud are walls were installed next, shape for 40 to 50 years, and the major materials used; followed by the flooring even longer, depending on other commercial materials and other smaller parts. It the weather conditions. As for like cement and steel rods is very different from other being sustainable, yes they are. were used minimally, and only construction methods in the They are natural, and go back to where necessary. The bamboo sense that it is not energy earth without any adulteration.
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Green Construction feature The Many Benefits of a Roof Garden With cramped space in crowded cities, more homes are taking to roof gardens, but do they add to the risks in an earthquake-prone zone like Kathmandu?
Text By Anandeeta Gurung
Venue Courtesy: Ekta Books, Thapathali
232 Build Issue 1 June 2015 s a gardening enthusiast, I started my The Maharjans had a large amount very first gardening on the roof of my of land and used to grow crops where house by placing a few flowerpots there house stands today. As they built and planting multicolored vibrant their home four years ago, it was their flowers like cineraria and pansies in homemaker who insisted on having them. When they grew and finally space at the top of their house to grow flowered (some unfortunately infested plants. Now, they have a separate with despicable pests) I felt like I had gardening area made of concrete and finally been rewarded for my hard assortments of styrofoam boxes bought work. There is undoubtedly something from local fishermen and old plastic thrilling about having a roof garden. buckets and sacks in which vegetables In a roof garden, the air seems fresher are planted. In her garden, you can find A and the grass appears greener, and it small number of different varieties of endows a peaceful sensation amongst yam (pidalu), colocassia leaf (karkalo), the hustle and bustle of the noisy city. tarul, dill (saunf), eggplant (bhenta), Owing to its obvious decorative asparagus (kurilo), bottle gourd (lauka), benefits and several other advantages, black eyed beans (bodi), bitter gourd such as temperature control, a place (tito karela), chili, mint (pudina), onion, to grow food, hydrological benefits, garlic, string beans (ghiu simi), sponge architectural enhancement, and gourd (ghiraula), mustard (tori ko saag), as a camouflage, roof gardening is broad beans (bakula), cucumber, and becoming increasingly popular. Green lady’s finger. roofs are especially popular among “It sustains our family of five,” she urban dwellers who have limited or smiles. This green thumb gardener no open space to cultivate and get also has grapes, pumpkin, papaya, their hands dirty to flaunt their green pomegranate, and guava in her roof thumbs. garden. She boasts with pride that Historically speaking, from the her best product is guava. “Some famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon 15-20 women from our community to the Rockefeller Center in New were given training by Kathmandu York, the roof garden has been part Municipality on roof gardening, after of something larger than a bourgeois our community women’s group, society; it has become a part of human “Chamati Misa Khala”, requested them civilization. These have been used as to,” says Maharjan about the beginnings extensions of living rooms, symbol of of her roof gardening venture. The panache displaying wealth and social four-day training made her not only status, place to grow food, rendezvous enthusiastic about roof gardening, for the elite, a place to escape summer but also enlightened her about the heat, and bask in the warm winter sun. importance of using and making Meet Kanchi Maya Maharjan, a organic manure and avoiding use of 51-year-old homemaker who has a pesticides. It is of no surprise that this variety of vegetables and fruits in her assiduous gardener makes her own amazing roof garden. Her son, Sujan manure from kitchen waste. She also Maharjan, greets us at their residence uses soap/shampoo water, ash from at Chamati, Kathmandu. I immediately the cigarette as a pest repellant. It is spot a long climber hanging from her amazing how she has a firm notion roof garden at the top of their four- about the drawbacks of chemical storied home. A dexterous woman pesticides, thanks to the training given with a pleasant smile, she seemed by KMC. “They said we shouldn’t eager to share her experiences on add pesticides, else our health would roof gardening. “It’s better than to sit deteriorate,” she says. Pests away idly and do nothing. Plus, we get fresh She says that many pigeons feed vegetables,” she says. on her plants. To ward them off, she
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feature covers the vegetation. “Whatever directly to our roof garden instead that eat up the plant, so you pigeons can eat, they devour; they of visiting us here!” Some of her should sprinkle soap water also need to survive,” she laughs neighbors and relatives have daily. Also, try adding ash to the merrily. Rats feed on cauliflowers, started roof gardening, too, after soil. and caterpillars and tiny snails seeing her accomplishments. They • Summer days are very hot, so attack her plants, too. “I install come to get guavas, and ask for you need to water plants every traps to catch the rats, and remove seeds, too. evening so as to hydrate the caterpillars and snails manually,” roots for longer periods. she says. Culture conscious • Add organic manure every We are presented with cool drinks one-two months. There should Seeds to beat the heat, and numerous be three layers, i.e. soil, manure, Maharjan buys seeds from Asan. I tiny grapes from her garden. I ask and again, soil covering the asked her if she bought the hybrid her, what do you prefer, planting manure. If the plants are over- seeds for guava. She replied it is vegetables or flowers? She laughs, fertilized, the leaves become the same normal guava she ate and and says, “Flowers are used for dark green and look good, but grew the seeds of. “If you plant it worshipping and give a sense of the fruits do not grow. in the ground, it becomes huge, tranquility, whereas vegetables • To make soil soft, add sand, rice and the fruit doesn’t become so give us food. We need both flowers husk, and ash. tasty. However, if you plant it in and vegetables.” • One thing I learnt about her a container, it becomes small and She has fruits that are required was the way she intercropped you can harvest fruit within two- during several cultural occasions. different vegetables together. three years, and the fruit is very Amilo and sayapatri for Tihar, Intercropping not only allows sweet,” she reveals. broad-leaved turmeric leaves for small space gardeners to ma:ha puja, and cotton plant for grow different crops, but also Time for gardening making oil wicks. discourages pests and disease, My admiration for her grows as we besides enhancing soil fertility. further divulge into the subject of Message for beginners “We used to work at the office, roof gardening. “How many hours I ask her if there are any ‘easy’ and didn’t know Mother was do you garden?” I ask. “I work 2-3 vegetables to start with for even working on the roof. hours daily. I work in the evenings, beginners. “Everything is easy,” Now, thanks to her, we get to but it gets dark so soon! If I go is her reply. As I pester her more taste different vegetables,” says upstairs, I don’t feel like returning and ask her about vegetables Sujan. at all!” she says animatedly, and requiring less care, she says it is adds, “After the earthquake, I the green leafy vegetables such as Roof gardening can thus make waited for my children to come spinach, mustard, and radish that urban living more self-sufficient, home before watering, by which are easy. One can grow radish, and fresh vegetables more time it used to be late evening.” onion, string beans, black eyed accessible. If practiced on a large beans, sponge gourd, ladyfingers, scale, such roof gardens could Roof garden challenges and cucumber for this season. have ecological benefits. I ask I asked her about the challenges our inspiring gardener if she has of roof gardening, to which she Basic Tips for Effective taught her children gardening, replies, “Since I have been working Gardening too, and with a smile, she answers in the fields from my childhood, • Broad bean plant (bakula) diplomatically, “They water the I do not feel any difficulties.” As I attracts large numbers of aphid plants when I am out.” press the question, she again says, “It’s not so difficult, really...we used to work on 6-7 ropanis of land, and this is nothing compared to that.” Preventive measures She laughs. “Once, I harvested one Before designing and constructing your rooftop garden, you must sack full of chilies. I also harvested determine if your roof can support the additional weight of soil and plants. a very large cauliflower!” she It is a good idea to hire a licensed structural engineer or architect to exclaims. conduct a structural analysis. The structural capacity largely will determine the type of rooftop garden that you can build. Roofs with limited structural capacity may require lighter-weight techniques such as plastic containers Source of inspiration and light-weight mineral material. New buildings can be designed with When I inquire about interesting adequate structural capacity for any type of garden. experiences, she says, “Guests go
236 Build Issue 1 June 2015 Rain Water Harvesting
Photo Courtesy: Smart Paani Green Construction feature Power In, Power Out As regular people, we consume much more energy than we produce, unless one is an inhabitant of the zero-energy house.
Text By Janam Maharjan
nergy is the essence of our daily lives: energy to light a bulb, to turn on computers, to charge cell phones, to cook meals, to survive. Despite this, we remain largely unaware of how it is produced and transported, and how long it will last. At present, most of Nepal’s energy comes from fossil fuels and hydroelectricity. The former is expensive, not to mention non- renewable, and the latter is plainly unreliable (as proven by the 18 hours of daily load-shedding). There needs to be a solution to this energy deficit; not just immediately but also for the long term. The concept of the ZERO ENERGY house could just be the answer. In Nepal, The Centre for Energy Studies (CES) is the nation’s think-tank that does research on energy production and on dealing with the energy crisis. Deployed by Tribhuvan University, CES has emerged with the Zero Energy House (ZEH) or the ‘Net Zero Energy House’ (NZEH). It is a self sustaining building that generates as much energy as it consumes throughout the year: “The total energy we produce here at ZEH and the total energy E consumed by the building is equal, thus the net energy of the Photo: ECS Media building is zero. Hence, we call this temperature in the building, working house ‘Net Zero Energy House’,” Energy Source as an air conditioner or a heater explains Dr. Shree Raj Shakya, Deputy 100 modules of depending on the surroundings. Director, Centre for Energy Studies. 65W Photovoltaic It operates on the principle that It gets its energy from renewable Cells (Total Energy = about 4 m below ground level, the sources and sometimes also produces 6.5 kW) air temperature remains constant. more than it consumes. The surplus is Built on a 70 m-long tunnel made of supplied to the TU campus. Duration of Energy hume pipes 4 meters deep from the Absorption The building is connected with 4.15 hours of direct surface, the system sucks external the main power grid, meaning sunlight per day air into the tunnel using a small that during days when there is electric pump. The air loses heat to insufficient sunlight, the building gets Energy Storage its surroundings inside the tunnel its electricity supply from the power Capacity before being filtered, regulated then grid. An inverter with an automatic 27 kWh (Stored in blown into halls and classrooms by controlling system monitors the batteries kept in the convection. Another method applied process of electricity production and basement) to regulate the room temperature in consumption and stores and releases the ZEH is insulating the walls with Voltage energy in and from the batteries generated: 240 V Thermocol. The energy consumed in respectively. maintaining a constant temperature The ZEH uses water harvesting is thus conserved. to collect rainwater and store it in a big solar pond. It also has a micro- Other features: hydropower plant of 3kW capacity. Solar hot water collectors: used for The rainwater harvesting system providing hot water saves on the energy required to obtain Solar panels with glass mirrors: water in the building and provides heat up cooking vessels to cook sufficient water for the building. simple meals and boil water Additionally, it even generates a pinch Gasifiers: efficient smokeless of electricity through the micro-hydro burners for drying large cardamom. power plant. Biogas plants fed with kitchen waste: The house also uses a unique Earth provides gas for 1.5 hours a day to Air Tunnel system to regulate the the canteen kitchen.
240 Build Issue 1 Information on energy consumption: A nuclear, urban Nepali home using CFL lights, a TV and a computer will consume about 1-2 kWh of energy daily. A multi-family urban Nepali home with lights, TV, computer, water pumps, and common household appliances will consume 3.5 to 5 kWh of energy. Thus, roughly calculating, an average house will spend 3.5 kW/h of energy. That amount of energy in ZEH terms can be generated by 10 solar PV cells with 5 hours of direct sunshine. Also, if a biogas plant is fitted to the house, in the long term it can generate enough gas for cooking a meal. A normal power grid that supplies current from the electricity authority can always be the backup. And, other features seen in ZEH like Earth Air Tunneling, solar hot water collector, insulated walls, etc. could be installed, saving huge amounts of energy consumption. A house built in this way could be sustained Further research is being The unavailability of a longer with less energy related lead by students on the above reliable constant source of problems. mentioned technologies. energy is also affected by In rural areas, the ZEH is a model house that can natural disasters that block government has offered a survive an energy crisis: transport routes and prevent helping hand to locals by “We cannot depend on one us from harnessing energy. providing big discounts on particular source of energy; Earthquakes like the one of April purchase of solar PVs. During there might be a day when 25, can cause damages to the this rebuilding process, if the big rivers of the country infrastructures of hydro-power houses are to be built using dry up, shutting down the big plants, shutting them down, or the techniques used in ZEH, hydropower plants,” warns Mr. cause landslides interrupting we will see a healthier country Shakya, explaining about the the transport of petroleum/ that is capable of surviving risk of energy dependency. gasoline to our places. Such the energy crisis. If we are to It is also accessible and contingencies mandate the dream of a better tomorrow, uncomplicated. “The techniques production of back up energy with less dependence on fossil that we use here can be used by sources. Especially during fuels for energy, then we layman for energy-generating these times, when everyone is need to start incorporating purposes. Yes, it is expensive thinking about rebuilding, it renewable sources of energy during installation, but if you would be wise to build with a when building our homes. look at it long-term, then it is plan that includes methods to At times like these, when cheaper compared to any other deal with energy crises that we rebuilding is a must, why not energy resource,” he adds. could face in near future. go for green construction?
Build Issue 1 241 Green Construction feature Shaping a Green Future Going green is a fast moving trend of the times due to its many benefits to environment and health.
Text By Achala Sharma
ith people being more and more aware of global warming and climate change, “green building/ technology” is in focus today. According to the Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2011, Nepal is the fourth most vulnerable country in the world in terms of climate change hazards. Hence, it is time our country started adopting this technology as well. Green building technology is a relatively new trend in Nepal. It is mostly youth in the technical fields of architecture and engineering who have initiated this technology.
What is green building? According to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), green, or sustainable, building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition. Such buildings should be integrated to the natural environment and should work to W protect the surrounding natural resources and grow on it, instead of destroying it. materials and resources and Along with sustainability of the indoor environmental quality. materials used, energy and water Environmental friendly measures conservation are critical in the such as solar power and rain water building design when using this harvesting is adopted. Moreover, technique. the buildings are designed in Talking about the trend of accordance with the orientation of green building technology in the sun so that no flat is deprived Nepal, architect Bishal Pandit, of sunlight.Unfortunately, due who is an avid green technology to the buildings being high-rises, advocate, claims that the idea of they suffered some damages in green building as it is understood the earthquake. Nevertheless, today has not existed for a very they managed to open the road long time in Nepal, but it will for green technology in Nepal, not be entirely true to say that showing what can be done and the buildings that were built what is possible. earlier were not green. He further Butwal Power Company’s elaborates his claim by stating new office building, which is still that the vernacular architecture under construction, is considered existing in different ethnic groups to be another example of green Architect Bishal Pandit follows the building styles that building technology in Nepal. are guided by the local climate It was Ar. Ujjwal Man Shakya as well as material and expertise from Innovative Creators who available which have low carbon approached with the proposal footprint, require less energy of constructing a environment for operation, and are easily friendly building. The building maintained by locals. covers 50% of the site area and has North-South orientation which Green building projects in allows the building to receive Nepal maximum sunlight during the Central Park, the apartment winter while the summer sun will complex in Bishalnagar, was be is shaded. The main Staircase the first building project in of the building is positioned Nepal that used modern green on the west side addressing building technology. The buildings the harsh afternoon summer there were aimed to be energy- sun. The building has double efficient and environmentally glazed windows and insulated responsible, with environment- wall reducing heat loss to the Civil Engineer Swastik Pokhrel friendly initiatives such as solar environment. Only 25% of the power, water conservation and building uses conventional air rain water harvesting. Clean conditioning system while 75% Developers, the Project Managers of the building is ventilated by for Central Park planned for using Renewable energy system the apartment complex to (Earth Air Tunnel and Solar Air consume 30% less energy than Collector). Efficient lighting system any average residential project. which includes light sensors, CFL The architects form the world lights for the interior and LED famous ARCOP were brought lights for the exterior will be used. in to design the energy efficient The building further boosts a wind residential buildings along turbine of capacity 2 KW at the with Paul Friedberg who was top of emergency staircase which appointed as the landscape is yet to be placed. A part of the architect. With the motto “One roof is covered by a roof garden. with nature”, the building was Adhesives, paints, carpet, tile with engineered to provide efficiency Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in site sustainability, water are not be used in the Project in Engineer Prakash Acharya efficiency, energy and atmosphere, order to prevent contamination feature
of indoor air during operation side of the individuals and is a means of avoiding such of the building. This project has private businesses rather than disasters to build a sustainable become a popular topic among becoming the focus of the future. He claims that green the engineering and architecture government. The few NGOs building technology is a change, circle and advocates of green that are working in this field a change that brings job technology are hoping that can only do so much. Another opportunities, opportunities to it will help to create further challenge is the fact that this create new ventures, and most awareness about the green concept is not incorporated in importantly, an opportunity to building technology in Nepal. the engineering curriculum in reinstate nature. Along with the private our country. Swastik Pokhrel, a When talking about “Green sector, there are a number freshly graduated civil engineer, Homes”, especially in the of NGOs that are actively says that this concept is not context of the rebuilding involved in green technology included in the undergraduate process, it is not only viable, but in Nepal. UN Habitat Nepal’s curriculum, which makes also ideal, due to the fact that it initiative, “Green Homes”, it harder for the engineers is comparatively cost efficient is a praiseworthy project to to incorporate it into their and the building materials introduce sustainability and practices despite the fact that can be found locally and are green building technology. it would be highly beneficial in sustainable. Nepal still has a “Sustainable Construction a highly urbanized city such as long way to go when it comes to Practices” is another project Kathmandu. green building and sustainable worth mentioning, which Engineer Prakash Acharya, design, both in practice and works with the same aim in the co-founder of Mukti Energy policy. However, the first construction sector. Nepal, believes that along with building codes of Nepal were the immediate disasters faced triggered by the earthquakes Challenges after the earthquake, we are during the 20th century. Now There are many challenges prone to face air, water, and that we have seen another huge in this field, the foremost land pollution, which will bring quake, let’s hope it has a silver being that till date this has further disaster in the long term, lining, bringing new changes in been an effort from the and green building technology the policies and building laws.
Energy savings The indoor air quality will bamboo, straw, recycled Green building has a great be better metal/stone, compressed advantage of reducing both Green homes have better earth block, concrete, cork, embodied and operating indoor air quality, making the etc. energy consumption. The indoors physically healthier use of extra-insulation, high- and more comfortable for Green buildings are more performance windows, and homeowners. durable passive solar design, along Eco-friendly homes might with use of renewable energy, Water efficiency use recycled products, but make the green building more Water consumption that doesn’t mean they’ll energy efficient. efficiency is another objective wear out sooner. Recycled- in green building. For content decking, which is Financial savings example, recycling rainwater made from recycled plastic Reasons7 The most criticized issue and using it for toilet flushing and wood fibers, can last about constructing can save waste-water. five times longer than Why You environmental-friendly Water-saving shower heads, traditional wood decking, Should Go buildings is that the price is ultra-low flush toilets, and and it never needs to be costlier than for conventional other conserving fixtures can treated or painted. Green building practices. But, green minimize waste water. buildings have low energy Less maintenance and Text By cost. Their use of gas, water, Material efficiency operating cost Sanu Babu Dangol and energy is highly reduced. Green buildings are Green buildings need less Hence, the financial benefit built from green, rapidly maintenance. Also, as far of green building exceeds the renewable, non-toxic, as natural sources are used additional cost of greening by reusable, and recyclable during its construction, they a substantial 4-6 times. materials such as lumber, are not destroyed so quickly.
Green Construction feature Buildings, not Earthquakes, kill
It wasn’t the earthquake but the collapse of the buildings that caused this huge tragedy.
Text By Anamol Rajbhandari
epal suffered tremendous losses after the massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake of April 25 and its numerous aftershocks. Officials have assessed the losses at over 8, 500 fatalities, 22, 000 injuries, 70,000 completely damaged buildings, and 530, 000 partially damaged buildings. More than 2.8 million people have been displaced. Frequently hearing about these heartbreaking losses over and over again has overshadowed the reason why so many lives were lost, why such a large number of injuries took place, and why hundreds of thousands were displaced. It wasn’t the earthquake but the collapse of the buildings that caused this huge tragedy. And, as Peter Hass put it on his 2010 Ted Talk on the Haitian quake: “It was not a natural disaster but a disaster of engineering.” The statement holds true in the Nepali context as well. The buildings which have collapsed were either old buildings that were constructed using outdated techniques, or modern buildings which were constructed solely for business motive of buying and selling.
Engineering failure In his talk, Peter Hass put forth some important facts on the difference N between the Haitian and Chilean earthquakes. Just after a month of the Haitian earthquake, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile, which is 500 times the power of the 7.0 that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti. However, there were only under a thousand casualties, which was less than 1% of the impact of the Haitian quake. The difference, Peter mentions, were seismic standards and confined masonry. Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group (AIDG), along with U.N. and different NGOs inspected over 1500 buildings in Haiti, and the reasons for the collapse of the buildings that they found were nothing new. The failure points were the walls and slabs not properly tied into pillars, cantilevered structures, asymmetric structures, poor building materials, not enough concrete and compression energy, water, land, and materials wouldn’t cost them any more than in the blocks, rebar that was with the preference to renewable doing it wrong. exposed to weather and had resources over non-renewables. He said, “To make sure these rusted away, and so on. The result: Social factors include if the buildings are safe, it’s not going the buildings shook violently, construction is fit for purpose of to take policy, but reaching out disintegrating each and every little commercialization or consumption. to the masons on the ground and part, and were taken off. However, It is important that the building helping them learn the proper in Chile, the building acted as a supports the local economy and techniques. If you reach out to whole instead of the sum of its minimizes disturbance to local the people on the ground in this parts. Each and every part, from residents. Opening gigantic schools collaborative way, it’s extremely slabs to walls, pillars to roofs, all or manufacturing buildings in the affordable. For the billions spent were tied together to support each middle of residential area would on reconstruction, you can train other instead of disintegrating create sense of fear and long term masons for dollars on every house and falling off. The buildings in pollutions in air, sound, and overall that they end up building over Chile ripped in half but didn’t environment. their lifetime.” disintegrate into rubble, like they The keynote information that The most important thing is did in Haiti, and in highly damaged Peter gave in his talk was the use to make masons on the ground rural places in Nepal. of confined masonry for buildings. realize whether the way they are Chileans have been doing that for working is the right way. All in Sustainable construction decades. He gave an example of a all, a holistic process of aiming to Sustainable construction refers mason, trained by his team, who, restore and maintain harmony to finding a balance between after finding that people working between natural and artificial economic, environmental, and started pouring the pillars the environments, which affirm social factors. wrong way, took his boss aside and human dignity and assist economic Economic factors include the showed him that by doing it right it equality, is required. overall life cost of the building where we consider if the lifelong cost that would incur is worth it. As any product becomes obsolete over time, value engineering technique assesses the time frame, and instead of building products with higher-grade components, it helps to limit the unnecessary costs that could incur. It doesn’t mean to replace quality with inferiority, but to preserve the core functions and spend little on additional components. In case of buildings, prioritizing spending means, making strong bases and slabs instead of spending in decorations of light bulbs and multiple paintings. Environmental factors include minimizing depletion of natural resources and choosing the right location by acquiring knowledge from engineers on disaster prone sites. It is important to consider every possibility of landslides occurring in case of hilly and agricultural regions to be on the safe side beforehand. The decision- making process of construction should also incorporate the use of Green Construction feature
Flushing: Start of an Alternative Water Supply
Imagine watering your garden, or even bathing, with water that was once toilet wastewater. At Sathya Sai Shiksha Sadan, a public school in Tokha, this is a normal occurrence, and nobody’s complaining. The reason? Inspired yet simple method of securing an alternative supply of water.
Text By Ajeeja Limbu Photo: Ajeeja Limbu Photo:
248 Build Issue 1 ust last year, the school faced wastewater treatment system a water crisis trying to supply (DEWATS). This system consists water to over 500 students and of components that work staff residing on the school without electricity and cannot property. The existing school be switched off intentionally, well was close to being dry, and resulting in low-maintenance. even though new wells were dug, Black water (wastewater from it still was not enough because of toilets) is collected in the the high density of new buildings black water septic tank while being built around the school grey water (wastewater from and surrounding farmlands. kitchen, sinks, and floor traps) It was particularly bad during is collected in the grey water the hot summer months, and septic tank. The black water countless water trucks had to be is first screened for solids and called in to provide water for the then enters the Anaerobic Baffle school, putting a strain on the Reactor (ABR), which is made up school’s finances, which operates of five identical compartments as a Trust. containing microorganisms. The school principal, Dr. As the black water passes Naruttam P. Upadhyay, knew through each compartment, that a newer and more cost- suspended matter is separated J effective solution had to be by sedimentation and the found to quench the school’s microorganisms break down increasing demand for water, pollutants through anaerobic with the student population digestion. expected to rise to over 700 in Grey water is also screened the next few years. He reached for solids before being mixed out to the Katmandu Valley with the black water at the Development Authority (KVDV) fourth compartment of the ABR. and a plan was formed with the The wastewater mix reaches a support of the United Nations horizontal flow reed bed where Economic and Social Commission it passes through the filtering for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). media (boulder and pebble) and This plan was called, “Pilot vegetation (common reed and Demonstration of Eco-efficient canna), and stored. Water Infrastructure in Peri- The stored water is then urban Area of the Kathmandu passed from the top down Valley.” The plan contained two through a vertical flow reed approaches for alternative water bed. The vertical flow reed bed supply with the long-term goal consists of a foundation that is 20 of being eco-efficient and to cm thick layer of boulder at the demonstrate the effectiveness bottom, and then consecutively of such infrastructure. The total stacked with layers of 10 cm cost of the plan was around chips, 60 cm sand, and 10 cm US$62,000 and funded by chips at the top. Plants such as external organizations such as the common reed and canna UNICEF. are planted as well to efficiently remove the organic pollutants Black water, grey water and pathogens. The treated The first approach was to water percolates through the implement a decentralized media and is then
Build Issue 1 249 feature
harvested. The school used the Both the decentralized wastewater treatment and flat concrete roofs of the girl’s rainwater harvesting systems have been huge hostel block and academic block as catchment areas successes to provide water supply effectively, and stored the rainwater in efficiently, and sustainably. two 25,000 liter tanks located underground. The tanks are connected to the school’s existing water treatment stored in an aeration pond harvesting system (RWHS). system through pipes, and the and subsequently used for With the school’s groundwater water passes through it to be gardening, farming, and wells unable to recharge distributed as potable water. flushing the toilets. naturally due to increased Recharge ponds were also The first approach ensures extraction of the groundwater constructed with the purpose that the wastewater generated from surrounding buildings of harvesting rainwater to in the school is continuously and agriculture, the new rain recharge the underground recycled. Dr. Naruttam was water harvesting system would water table in the area. This happy with the quality of alleviate the problem and also has allowed the school to have the treated wastewater, and provide drinking water. The excess water and even opened boasted that the water was RWHS is helped by the fact a public tap near the school “very close to World Health that the average rainfall in entrance for the public to use Organization standard, and can Kathmandu Valley is around that provides 3000 liters of even be used for bathing”. 1900 mm, which is more than drinking water every day. The twice the world average. local community has embraced Harvesting rainwater With an ample supply of the opening of the public tap The second approach was rainwater, it was simply a with long lines forming to use to implement a rain water matter of time before it was the tap throughout the day. Some people were even spotted bathing at the public tap! The second approach ensures that the natural groundwater levels are stable and rainwater is used more efficiently instead of just letting it go to waste. The school principal also commented that “rainwater is more pure than water brought in from water trucks, and the system has resulted in no water trucks being called this year, unlike last year.” Overall, both the decentralized wastewater treatment and rainwater harvesting systems have been huge successes, and the school is being demonstrated as a model to provide water supply
250 Build Issue 1 effectively, efficiently, and “I believe that more schools and organizations sustainably. should implement these systems as a source of Systems work when you alternative water supply, as the benefits outweigh respect them But, the school is not resting the costs. People need to start managing precious on its laurels just yet. To avoid water instead of hankering the government the paradox of having ample water supply and students constantly for more water.” feeling the urge to waste water, the principal mentioned that education plays a big part in ensuring that the system rainwater to flow naturally water instead of hankering is properly utilized and into the recharge ponds. the government constantly for respected. Students are actively A visitor, Ashok Khadka, more water. It will be difficult, taking part in taking care of commented, “The tour really as people will have to first the DEWATS by learning how opened my eyes on how unlearn bad water habits, the system works and learning rainwater can be harvested, and then re-learn good water various ways to recycle water, and I am amazed that toilet habits. But, I believe that our so much so, that even their wastewater can be recycled school can provide a good parents are surprised by their many times over.” example. After all, water is a children showing such passion Dr. Naruttam says, “I gift.” for water conservation. believe that more schools With the population of Visitors are taken on a tour and organizations should Kathmandu increasing describing the new alternative implement these systems exponentially, and decreasing water supply systems with as a source of alternative groundwater reserves, the prominent labels describing water supply, as the benefits need for alternative water the various components such outweigh the costs. These sources is imperative to ensure as recharge ponds, tanks, and systems even managed that everyone has access to plants used in wastewater to withstand the recent clean drinking water. Can treatment, along with the earthquakes that struck you imagine yourself using building of pavements that Nepal.” He added, “People need water recycled from toilet function as drainage, and allow to start managing precious wastewater?
Build Issue 1 251 Green Construction feature Air Conditioning, the Natural Way Natural is the way to go in architecture today, and this applies to the air conditioning system, as well.
Text By Ar. Alex Man Maskey
arth Air Tunnel (EAT) system, in general, is an air conditioning system in which the supply of fresh air is achieved through natural processes. The heating and cooling in the building is managed by the system with the help of a BIM: a building integrated machine. This system can save up to 40% of energy when compared to a general HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) system, proving it particularly useful in large buildings with large energy consumption such as hospitals and malls.
Working of EAT system The principle that EAT operates on concerns the fact that the earth’s crust remains at constant temperatures. Any external air, therefore, either loses heat when it passes through the crust if it is too hot, or gains heat if it is too cold. The air is taken into the pipe with the help of an inlet point: a small block, usually a single floor unit in a windward direction (for example NE and NW). It consists of a pipe that runs to the building through an underground passage. The exchange of heat takes place here. In summers, a fan is used at the inlet point because the air in the atmosphere is hot and cannot travel through the E underground pipe. BIM is also called BIS (building integrated system), BMS (building management system), etc. The other main aspect of the EAT, the BIM, is responsible for the control of the air inlets in the rooms inside the building. It also coordinates the humidity and quality of air. Also called a Building Integrated System (BIS) or Building Management System (BMS), it is an automatic machine-operated system located in the machine room, normally in the top floor of the building. The technical details should Location: Chappalkarkhana, and PV-cells are used in most of also be properly applied during Kathmandu the buildings. the installation of the system. In this building, solar The depth of the pipe from the Green features energy is used for air and inlet point should be at least 5 • Earth Air Tunnel (EAT) water heating and for energy. meters, whereas the minimum • Rainwater Harvesting The equipment ensures the length of the pipe under the • Insulation maximum use of solar energy. ground should be at least 15 • Use of solar energy Since the heated air from meters, so that the air from • Maximum use of natural the EAT system is not warm the inlet point exchanges the lighting enough during the winter, the heat with the earth’s to gain the • Energy efficient lighting air is passed through solar air required temperature. There has • Use of thermal mass collectors. The air, heated to to be proper supervision when 20 degrees, is sent through the installing the pipe under the Solar energy for EAT solar air collectors via three- earth’s surface. If any leakage Solar energy is a renewable way dampers in the atrium. The of the air occurs in the pipe, the source of energy. Though the air is sent through the bottom system won’t work efficiently. initial cost of solar equipment holes in the roof, which passes is high, in the long term, and in through the solar air collectors, A Green Residence terms of energy efficiency, solar and the heated air goes to the Designer: Ujjwal Man Shakya energy is better in many ways. three-way damper through the Project: Residence for monks Therefore, solar water heaters top holes in the roofs.
Build Issue 1 253 from two separate catchment areas. The total catchment area is about 3000 square feet. Two sloped roofs with gutters at the ridge level act as collectors. The gutter is properly hidden inside the white lining of the ridge level, which passes through a 3” PVC pipe. The pipe is connected with series of tanks to undergo filtration. The water is passed through three tanks to the main 4000 L rainwater reserve tank.
Insulated walls and openings The interior environment is made better with insulating walls. The building has cavity walls on the exterior that act as a thermal insulator, reducing heat flow from the outside to the inside during the summer. Similarly, it reduces heat flow from the inside to the outside during the winter, thus making the internal temperature warmer. All solar equipment faces for example, larger windows The cavity wall consists of towards the south. The hot are used in the southern and two leaves made up of bricks. water is collected from the solar eastern sides, where most of the Each leaf is 4” in width. The water heaters in 600 L tanks for bedrooms and living rooms are cavity in between the two bathrooms, and in 200 L tanks placed. Smaller windows are leaves is also 4”, and so the total for the kitchen. The PV-cells are used in stores and bathrooms. width of the wall is 12 inch. The linked with a battery, which Clerestory windows are used in internal surfaces of the walls are provides electricity backup. the prayer hall as the space is finished with mud plaster, which larger. Circular windows on both is a traditional material. Red Energy efficient lighting sides are provided in the atrium, mud was used initially, but due techniques which illuminates the whole to crack formation in different The building utilizes maximum atrium. CFL bulbs are used for areas, black mud, which has daylight in all its spaces. The energy-efficient artificial lighting. more strength than red mud, was use of daylight reduces the used later. consumption of electric energy. Rainwater harvesting The openings are provided It is not only energy-efficient, but Though Nepal is known for its with double glazed windows, the daylight has a better lighting rich water resources, there is which act as heat insulation effect than artificial lights. scarcity of water in the core without blocking the light A central atrium is provided areas. Rainwater harvesting is entering the rooms. It also in the open-well staircase. one of the best processes that reflects back the harmful The central top-lighting also allow buildings to collect water radiation of the sun, making illuminates the corridors as in an energy-efficient way. the indoor environment more well as the rooms through the Though the water cannot be used comfortable. The width of the doors. Daylight is used efficiently for drinking, it can be used for windows range from 5 ft, 6 ft and through larger openings in gardening, cleaning, flushing, etc. 8 ft. The height of the opening is the windows. The sizes of the The building is designed in of 4 ft and 6 feet. Double glazed windows are 8’x 6’; 6’x 6’, and a traditional style; the roofs are windows are used in all the 6’x 4’ used in appropriate spaces; sloped. Rainwater is collected openings on the exterior.
254 Build Issue 1
Green Construction feature Alternative Sources of Power for a New Nepal Renewable energy sources will help in powering Nepal from least developed to developing country, and beyond.
Text By Er. Shyam K. Adhikari, Ultra Solar Energy, Kathmandu
ost developing countries have abundant renewable energy resources, including solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy, and biomass, as well as the ability to manufacture the relatively labor-intensive systems that harness these. By developing such energy sources, they can reduce their dependence on oil and natural gas. In many circumstances, these investments can be less expensive than fossil fuel energy systems.
Use of renewable energy for developing countries like Nepal Poverty alleviation: Renewable energy can directly contribute to poverty alleviation by providing energy for creating businesses and employment. Renewable energy technologies can also contribute indirectly to alleviating poverty by providing energy for cooking, space heating, M and lighting. Education: Renewable energy can provide electricity to schools. Renewable energy for cooking and heating can reduce the time that children spend out of school collecting fuel. In addition, the displacement of traditional fuels reduces the health problems from indoor air pollution produced by burning those fuels.
Health: The constant use of only traditional biomass such as wood, residues, and dung expose people to indoor particulate and carbon monoxide concentrations Home use bio-gas/large Wind-powered vehicles: You’ve many times higher than bio-gas energy: Reduces worry probably heard about this World Health Organisation about the shortage of LP gas. one recently. A car, powered standards. Furthermore, Biogas can be cleaned to remove primarily by wind (using kites), renewable fuel sources impurities and upgrade to pure just completed a 3,100 mile can also provide energy to bio-methane. It can then be used journey across Australia. It refrigerate medicine and as a renewable fuel for cooking reportedly spent about $10-$15 sterilize medical equipment or electrification purposes. on energy for the entire 3,100 where access to electricity is mile journey. difficult. It can also provide Waste management: power to supply the fresh Production of biogas from Wind/kite-powered cargo water and sewerage services municipal waste is an option ships: Another great example needed to reduce the spread of to mitigate the ever growing of tapping into the power of the infectious diseases. demand for energy in Nepal. wind can be found with Cargill, Completely solar powered Ultra Renewable Energy, one of which has installed a large kite house: no more electricity bills. the companies associated with on one of its cargo ships to tap Ultra Group, has been working into the power of the wind and Solar power: for lighting up in this field since the last 10 thus reduce fuel consumption garden and parking. years. and CO2 emissions. Of course, Solar street lights: saves grid wind has always been used to energy and helps NEA. Wind energy: Wind has a wide “power” sailing and smaller Rain water harvesting/ground variety of uses, some you may be vessels. water treatment: An average familiar with and others not so house in Kathmandu Valley much. So, let’s take a look at five Wind-powered sports: The can capture over 160,000 L of smart uses for wind powered wind is used to power various rainwater annually, more than energy. sports activities, like kite-flying, sufficient for a five-member sailing, wind-surfing, kite- family to tide them over during Energy-generating wind surfing, hang-gliding, para- the lean period. Also, rainwater turbines: Wind turbines sailing, wind-skiing, etc. is free from pollutants. Some capture the power of the wind environmental organisations and convert it to energy. This Wind-powered water pumps: have for long been pushing can be on a broad scale, such Using wind power to pump to make rainwater harvesting as the wind turbines found on water out of the ground is not mandatory to reduce the water wind farms, or on a smaller something new. It is a helpful, crisis in the capital. Ultra scale, such as individual wind and sometimes much needed, Water Solution is one such turbines people use to generate tool when it comes to some organization. power for their home. communities and countries.
Build Issue 1 257 POWER OF THE SUN Solar energy is the energy harnessed from the sun that can be exploited directly in the form of heat (solar thermal) or first converted into electric energy using photovoltaic technology, and then utilized.
Text By Illustration By Yogesh Chandra Giri, Hem Kumar Limbu Manager, Surya Power
Solar energy was first conceived as a shedding daily. In light of this situation, viable alternative form of power as early solar energy has been identified as one of as in the 1860s when coal was expected the alternative sources of energy that has to run out of supply. Global warming, due the potential to reduce the deficit between to carbon-emitting fossils fuels, brought demand and supply, and it is accessible in renewed attention to the potential of solar all topographical regions at reasonable cost. power as an alternative source of energy. Nepal is a developing country. Energy, which also Industrial countries made a concentrated aids in the optimum and efficient use of other effort to develop solar power technologies infrastructure, is among the top priorities for by creating and maintaining well-funded development. research and development agencies. As a result, PV installation increased rapidly Due to technological advancement, the in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, and today, efficiency of the solar panel is increasing, while many countries have made solar energy a overall installation costs are going down. With central part of their energy policy, and are continuing price decrease of PV systems, its committed to fulfill a substantial portion applications are becoming economically viable to of their energy demand from solar energy. a variety of applications. Thus, solar PV systems are gaining growth in areas such as social and But in the context of Nepal, use of solar communication services, agriculture, and other energy is slightly different. Despite its productive areas, which have significant impact huge hydroelectricity potential, it has not on nation development. been able to harness the full potential Being affordable and flexible in use, solar PV due to several reasons. The demand has systems offer a unique opportunity for the energy always been greater than the supply, and sector to provide packages of energy services to people are suffering 8 to 14 hours of load build the nation. SOLAR ENERGY
Pricey Needs Sun Free CO2 friendly
Disadvantages ADVANTAGES: Storage problem Inefficient Sustainable Economical
TELECOMMUNICATION
SAFETY
BUSINESS
PUBLIC AND STREET HEALTH TELEVISION LIGHTS INDUSTRY COTTAGE EXTENDED INDUSTRY WORKING HOURS COMMERCIAL BUSINESS HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, extended opening hours RADIO of market (increase in ENTERTAINMENT ICE-PACK CENTERS economic activity, work at FREEZING night, etc.)
EDUCATION VACCINE REFRIGERATION
CRITICAL DEVICES BTS LIGHT (early morning, E C G SEWING CYBER night classes), E-BOOK CAFES DIALYSIS
e-book NET CALLS GRAPHICAL CENTERS INTERNET PRESENTATIONS Build Issue 1 259 LIGHT UP! Text By Illustration By Ar. Alex Man Maskey Hem Kumar Limbu
No matter what the function of a building, artificial lighting always plays an important role in architecture. Artificial lighting is required because sunlight is not available for 24 hours a day. Here, the comparison of different types of bulbs is done on the basis of equal amount of illumination.
FILAMENT LAMP CFL BULB LED BULB
1,200 h 8,000 h 50,000 h 60 W 13-15 W 6-8 W 109.50 kWh/yr 25.56 kWh/yr 11 kWh/Yr
NRs NRs.50.00 NRs. 200.00 NRs.750.00
RUNNING COSTS OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS Filament lamps are the cheapest among the three lamps, but on a long term basis they are the most energy consuming. They use 60 W of energy compared to 13-15 W by CFL for the same level of illumination, whereas LED uses only 6-8 W, which is the least among the three.
• Taking one unit price of electricity as NRs.10, the cost of one filament lamp running for one year equals to 109.50 X 10, that is, NRs.10 95.00 • Cost of CFL running for one year equals to 25.50 X 10, that is, NRs.255.00 • Cost of one LED lamp running for one year equals to 11 X 10, that is, NRs.110.00
This calculation shows that if one LED lamp is made to run for a year, it costs NRs.110 , whereas the same cost for CFL would be NRs.255, and for filament lamp, NRs.1095 . INDEX
LIFE SPAN ENERGY CONSUMPTION ENERGY CONSUMPTION PER YEAR NRs RETAIL PRICE
Advertorial Energy Effi ciency with Eco-green
Eco Green is a company uses 1 kW of electricity to give through negative effect on the established with the vision to hot output of equal or more environment. Eco Green offers save energy for the nation. Since than 4 kW, resulting in 400% or a fit-and-forget system with no its establishment in 2010, the more output. Hence, the cost of additional costs for chemicals, company has been dealing with water heating will be the least, maintenance, and plumbing. energy-efficient equipments compared to available water These water conditioners save for water heating and climate heating solutions, with the costs and have environmental control. So far, about 100 of Eco exception of solar water heating. benefits, and are a realistic Green systems have already All over Nepal, hotels, resorts, alternative to chemical water been installed in hotels, resorts, hospitals, and pashmina factories treatment. hospitals, and factories all are enjoying the benefit of direct In places with high use of over Nepal, saving the nation savings of up to 70% on operating water, such as factories with significant energy. The cost of cost on hot water due to the boilers, hotels, health clubs with operation for heating water came installed Eco Green HP units. swimming pools, and spas, this down to more than 50%, with Installation of Eco Green unit instrument is highly applicable guaranteed performance. does not only result in savings, to save water consumption and Although Nepal is a but also ensures continuous hot maintenance cost, besides saving country with one of the highest water at any time of the day or the environment, too. hydroelectricity generation night throughout the year. As potentials in the world, it is also the system uses ambient heat, Mini chiller for room heating a country where there is acute it will have a positive impact and cooling shortage of electricity. Eco Green on reducing global warming. Eco Green is working on has been working continuously More heat from atmosphere hydronic air conditioning for to reduce electrical demand will be used by the units to get homes and offices. Unlike normal by introducing products that maximum output. window or split air conditioners are energy-efficient; meaning, operated by gas, it is run by equipments which consume Water conditioners gas and water. The main idea less electricity but give higher Eco Green has been supplying is to make the environment output. These systems not only and installing proven units comfortable at any time of the reduce electrical demand, but for wat er conditioning to year, and at any place. also reduce demand for fuel reduce maintenance cost and Weather Maker, the brand for operating diesel generators, extend life of equipments. under Eco Green, helps to save boilers, etc., thus reducing Patented technology from world 50-70% operating cost of air energy costs. renowned brand is helping to conditioning. For countries improve water quality, prevent like ours, where there is acute Hot water solutions scale formation, and reduce shortage of electricity, this air Eco Green is a pioneer company maintenance schedules. conditioning product helps to introduce energy-efficient Poor water conditions may reduce electricity demand for Heat Pump technology for harm the system and the pipeline room heating and cooling. water heating in Nepal. Heat due to scaling on the inner For more informati on, contact: Pump is an electro-mechanical surface and pipe-work. This Eco Green unit that uses mostly ambient will result in poor performance Ph: 01-4244831, 01-4244832, heat to heat water so as to get of the system by increasing the 9801114820 maximum output. Simply put, it cost of operation, as well as Email: [email protected]
262 Build Issue 1
Advertorial Uninterrupted Power for Every Need
CPCB Complaint • Power Plants • Gas Generating Sets • Silent Diesel Generating Sets
JAKSON CUMINS
ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGY FOR VRV SYSTEM
ENERGY EASE OF SAVING ENHANCED INSTALLATION COMFORT LINEUP Lower operation Higher COP and Compact and Up to 60 HP sound VRT technology Lightweight Design
VRT-VARIABLE REFRIGERANT TEMPERATURE Republic of The new VRV IV system now features VRT technology. VRT automatically adjusts refrigerant tempura to individual building and climate requirement, thus further improving annual energy Korea Donates efficiency and maintaining comfort. With this technology, running costs are reduced.
Solar Power-Advantages Heavy Equipment • A completely renewable resource • Absolutely no noise at all. • Absolutely no pollution. • Very low maintenance As immediate relief after the disastrous Mini Excavator (4 units). In addition, • Quite expensive but in the long run saving a great earthquake of April 25, the Korean Korea-based Doosan Infracore, the deal of money government provided grant aid worth fifth largest construction equipment • Typically extremely easy to install. USD1.5 million by dispatching a search manufacturer in the world, contributed & rescue team and a medical team to three equipments: Doosan DX225LCB, Nepal, and by donating relief items in Hydraulic Excavator, Bobcat E32, kind and in cash through UNOCHA and Compact Mini Excavator, Bobcat S450, IFRC. On May 20, twenty-four heavy and Skid Steer Loader. The equipments equipments worth USD10 million were were handed over on July 29, 2015, presented to the Nepal government amidst a ceremony at Nepal Police through Korea International Club, Bhrikutimandap. Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to remove The Korean government has also and clean debris in earthquake affected pledged to help reconstruct the health zones. sector in Nuwakot district through Details of the heavy equipments are: KOICA. About USD8 million will be Authorized Dealer for Nepal Doosan DX225LCB, Hydraulic Excavator utilized for reconstructing the concrete (10 units), Doosan Wheel Loader SD310 district hospital, besides building HIMAL REFRIGERATION & ELECTICAL INDUSTRIES PVT. LTD. (6 units), Bobcat S450, Skid Steer several prefab health posts equipped Corporate Office : P.O. Box. 13417, Gusingaal chowk, Sanepa-2, Lalitpur, Nepal Loader (4 units), Bobcat E32, Compact with the necessary medical equipment. Ph. : 01-5520123, 5520260, 5012590, 5521123, Fax: 01-5012591, 5544083 Email : [email protected], Web: www.himalref.com.np Branch : Mahendra Complex, Himalyan road, Biratnagar, Nepal, Ph.: 021-532021 Uninterrupted Power for Every Need
CPCB Complaint • Power Plants • Gas Generating Sets • Silent Diesel Generating Sets
JAKSON CUMINS
ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGY FOR VRV SYSTEM
ENERGY EASE OF SAVING ENHANCED INSTALLATION COMFORT LINEUP Lower operation Higher COP and Compact and Up to 60 HP sound VRT technology Lightweight Design
VRT-VARIABLE REFRIGERANT TEMPERATURE The new VRV IV system now features VRT technology. VRT automatically adjusts refrigerant tempura to individual building and climate requirement, thus further improving annual energy efficiency and maintaining comfort. With this technology, running costs are reduced.
Solar Power-Advantages • A completely renewable resource • Absolutely no noise at all. • Absolutely no pollution. • Very low maintenance • Quite expensive but in the long run saving a great deal of money • Typically extremely easy to install.
Authorized Dealer for Nepal HIMAL REFRIGERATION & ELECTICAL INDUSTRIES PVT. LTD. Corporate Office : P.O. Box. 13417, Gusingaal chowk, Sanepa-2, Lalitpur, Nepal Ph. : 01-5520123, 5520260, 5012590, 5521123, Fax: 01-5012591, 5544083 Email : [email protected], Web: www.himalref.com.np Branch : Mahendra Complex, Himalyan road, Biratnagar, Nepal, Ph.: 021-532021 Advertorial
Arsenic in Nepal and ECAR
n Nepal, there is a serious problem in 95.6% and keratosis in 57.8% of the Highly Reliably reduces arsenic-III/V with arsenic contamination, patients. Leucomelanosis (black and Effective < 5 ppb in real groundwater particularly in the Terai region. About white spotsonthe legs andtrunk) was (WHO-MCL is 10 ppb). 47% of Nepal's total population live in identified in 3.3% of the population. It the Terai region, and 90% of them rely was estimated that approximately 12.5 Locally We estimate a sale price of on groundwater as their major source Affordable ~$0.01/L including all costs disability adjusted life years (DALYs) per and business margin. Iof drinking water. About 200,000 shallow 1000 population in Nepal is due to excess tube wells have been installed in 20 Terai arsenic in the drinking water (arsenic Simple to Uses off-the-shelf districts, serving 11 million people. The concentration >50 μg/L). Build components, readily available National Sanitation Steering Committee High concentration of arsenic (As) and repairable locally. (NSSC), with the help of many other in groundwater in the southwestern Simple to Fully automatable with no organizations, has completed arsenic to southeastern regions of Nepal, Use need for pH adjustment. blanket test in 25 districts of Nepal by located along the Indian border like Simple to No imported media, no analyzing 737,009 groundwater samples. Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Maintain regeneration, and no Several organizations, including academic Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Nawalparasi, membranes. Local, simple institutions, made an effort to determine Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Banke, Kailali, and supply chain. the level of arsenic concentrations in Kanchanpur has become a major cause groundwater and their consequences in of concern in recent years5. Simple to No breakthrough. Visible and Nepal. About 23% of shallow wells failed The Gadgil Lab at the University Monitor easy-to-monitor indicators of success. to meet WHO’s standard of 10 ppb1. An of California, Berkeley and Lawrence alarming 14.9% of tube wells had arsenic Berkeley National Lab have developed Low Waste Low amount of waste (non- greater than 50µg/L. (Nepal Interim and patented Electro-Chemical rsenic hazardous via EPA’s TCLP), Arsenic Guideline) Remediation (ECAR) technology to meet well stabilized in concrete. This has sensitized government, international drinking water quality Readily No central manufacturing national, and international non- standards for arsenic, while supporting a scalable plant is needed, allowing government organizations working on sustainable and scalable business model. rapid scale-up. water quality sector to carry out water ECAR technology was exclusively licensed quality assessment for arsenic in the by Luminous Water Technologies Pvt. Ltd. affected communities. In the regions, (India) in 2013. In ECAR, a highly effective namely, Nawalparasi, Bara, Parsa, iron-based adsorbent is generated in situ We are currently collaborating to Rautahat, Rupandehi, and Kapilvastu, the when a small voltage is applied (via solar conduct a field trial of a 10,000 liter prevalence of arsenicosis is, on average, or intermittent grid) to ordinary steel per day capacity ECAR system in West 2.2%. In a community-based study, the plates in arsenic contaminated water. Bengal, India. We are also developing highest prevalence (18.6%) of arsenicosis Arsenic-III (more toxic and difficult to ECAR as an affordable and simple was found in Patkhouli village of remove) is oxidized to arsenic-V during arsenic treatment solution for rural Nawalparasi, where 95.8% of tube wells the process. This in situ process is: areas in the USA. were contaminated with arsenic2. The prevalence of arsenicosis 1 related dermatosis (skin disease) was Jay Krishna Thakur et. al.Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater in Nepal — 1.3 to 5.1% of the population, and was An Overview. 2010 higher in older age groups (>50 years) 2 Maharjan M, Shrestha RR, Ahmad SA, Watanabe C, Ohtsuka R. Prevalence of of both the sexes3. All patients showed arsenicosis in terai, Nepal. J.Health Popul.Nutr. 2006 Jun;24(2):246-252 symptoms of melanosis (early stages of 3 Shrestha RR, Shrestha MP, Upadhyay NP, Pradhan R, Khadka R, Maskey A, arsenic poisoning) and keratosis (mild et al. Groundwater arsenic contamination, its health impact and mitigation stages of arsenic poisoning) on the program in Nepal.J.Environ.Sci.Health.A.Tox.Hazard.Subst.Environ.Eng. 2003 palms, trunk, and soles of the feet4. Jan;38(1):185-200. Males suffered more from arsenicosis 4 Pokhrel D, Bhandari BS, Viraraghavan T. Arsenic contamination of than females (odds ratio: 2.50). Skin groundwater in the Terai region of Nepal: an overview of health concerns and manifestations, such as melanosis and treatment options. Environ.Int. 2009 Jan;35(1):157-161 5 keratosis, were the common symptoms http://www.asianscientist.com/2012/01/features/arsenic-poisoning-nepal- of arsenicosis. Most patients were groundwater-slowly-2012 6 identified in the early or mild stage of Thakur JK, Thakur RK, Ramanathan A, Kumar M, Singh SK. Arsenic the disease. Clinical observation revealed Contamination of Groundwater in Nepal—An Overview. Water 2010;3(1):1-20 melanosis with other manifestation
Product Index
Ganesh Metal Workshop and Traders Ram Metal Workshop Ganesh Metal Workshop is the company to For different types of metal structures, Ram contact for different types of metal products. Metal Workshop is your answer.
Products: Metal structures Products: Steel structures, oil tanks, steel Address: Koteshwor, Kathmandu furniture Contact: 5100704, 5523013 Address: Chamati, Shova Bhagwati, Kathmandu Contact: 4353921
Sky Light Pvt. Ltd. Sky Light is an aluminum fabricator company Laxmi Steel that has been providing services in fitting Steel bars are important for construction, and aluminum architectural applications for various Laxmi Steel is the company that provides this aspects of construction since 1995. vital component.
Products: Shower cabins, partitions, windows, Product: Steel bars doors, facades, railings, verandas/conservatories Address: Tinkune, Kathmandu (doors and windows) Contact: 4111942 Address: Sam Marg, opposite Police Headquarter Contact: 4415209 Hama Iron and Steel Industries Pvt. Ltd. Website: http://www.skylight.com.np Hama Iron and Steel uses modern technology to ensure quality production of different building Panchakanya Group materials that are sustainable. Panchankanya provides every kind of service Products: Hama SG re-bar, nails, HB wires, required for good quality construction. From wire rods, annealed binding wires nails, the smallest yet most important items in Address: Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal construction, to other services of concrete, to Contact: 4261716, 4261686, 4253316 internal structure requirements of buildings.
Products: TMT steel bars, eco bars, nails, wires, Hitco Pvt. Ltd. HDPE, PPR, PVC, sanitary pans, CPVC, bitumen and barrel, LPG cylinder, stainless steel water Hitco is the company that helps you out with tank, LGS different types of equipment that may not Address: Panchakanya Bhawan, Krishna Galli, be required daily, but are useful for various Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur important functions. Contact: 5526551 Products: Air compressors, fire extinguishers, material handling equipment Soil Test Pvt. Ltd. Address: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu Contact: 2020059 The pioneering geotechnical consultancy of Nepal, Soil Test Pvt. Ltd. provides a complete range of services in the field of civil, geotechnical, and environmental engineering. The company is fully Ghorahi Cement equipped to carry out geotechnical investigations. Established in 2009, Ghorahi Cement has been consistently providing quality service through Services: Geotechnical engineering, civil their quality products. engineering, construction supervision, chemical analysis, environmental studies, and quality Product: Sagarmatha OPC Cement, Sagarmatha control works Gold PPC Cement, Sagarmatha Clinker Address: Samar Bahadur Marg, Patan Address: Triveni Complex, Putalisadak Contact: 4362346, 4362246 Contact: 4224074/4248732 Product Index
Jagdamba Steel BK Aluminum A lot of years have passed since it started Ever since its initiation, the company has providing service with its various products, and been in the forefront as one of them most the trust is increasing by the day. dependable fabricating companies undertaking public, semi-public, and private contracts. Product: Steel bars The company’s completed works range from Address: Tinkune, Kathmandu hospitals, schools, and banks, to government Contact: 4111500 and private buildings.
Products: Aluminum panel composite, Kathmandu Steels aluminum louver, partition, curtain wall, structure glazing, aluminum windows, Kathmandu Steels is an innovative, technology- aluminum doors driven steel manufacturer that is one of the Address: Koteshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal largest in the country. Its Reid bars have Contact: 4600472, 4602759 superior microstructure with greater ductility Website: www.bkaluminium.com.np and bend ability, besides being corrosion- and seismic- resistant. It uses primary billets, instead of secondary billets, thus resulting in better quality products. Hilltake Pvt. Ltd. Product: Reid bars and Reid bar components Hilltake solves many of your water-related (Reid bar grout sleeves, Reid bar couplers, Reid problems. If your need is of water pumps or bars threaded inserts, Reid bar foot plate, flange water tanks, Hilltake is there to help you out. nuts and nuts) Address: Baluwatar, Kathmandu Products: HVAC system, water tanks, diesel, Contact: 4424923 kerosene, and LPG generators, refrigeration equipment, home appliances, water appliances, water pumps, reverse osmosis (RO) water purifying system Natural Furnishing Pvt. Ltd. Address: Balaju, Kathmandu Natural Furnishing provides complete Contact: 4380612 housing services; this includes everything Website: http://www.hilltake.com.np/ from design of the house to supply of various building materials. Goenka Group Products: Wooden parquet, laminate parquet, aluminum composite panel, wooden plank Goenka Cement is another solution when it and railing, UPVC roof, solar panel, and prefab comes to choice of cement while constructing. housing and structure work. Address: Kalanki, Kathmandu Product: Goenka Gold cement (Portland Contact: 4032282 Pozzolana cement) and Goenka Steels Address: Bhagwatibahal, Kathamndu Contact: 4414811, 4414812, 4414814 Agni Enterprises This company is dedicated to your security, and has a wide range of products that keep you safe Yeti Polychem indeed. Nepal’s first flooring and artificial PVC company, Yeti Polychem is a problem solver for Products: Security products (digital fire alarm, all your flooring needs. CCTV camera, walk through & handheld metal detector, earthquake alarm, fire hydrant system, Products: Various flooring products (parquet, and fire extinguisher) carpets, tiles) Address: Kupondole, Lalitpur Address: Kalimati, Kathmandu Contact: 5529526 Contact: 4270730, 4270371 Product Index
Arati and Company Jagdamba Cement Arati and Company is involved in roads, bridges, The company uses high grade raw materials, and landscapes; it excels in prefab house and and abides by all statutory and regulatory shelter construction, supply and delivery of guidelines, thus ensuring top quality products. construction materials. Continuous improvement in quality and service are hallmarks of the company. Products: Prefab shelter and wall solution, structure, roofing solution, cladding solution, Products: Jagamba Ultra Premium OPC , ceiling solution, flooring solution, insulation, Portland Pozzolana Cement, Ordinary Portland door solution, portable toilet, water heat- Cement proofing and crack solution, and mobile house. Address: Neupane Tower, 6th Floor, Address: Narayan Gopal Chowk, Maharajgunj Subidhanagar, Tinkune Contact: 4720109, 4721014 Contact: 4111500
Aditya Hardware Maruti Cement Aditya Hardware provides the best solutions for The company ensures that the final product architectural glass hardware and glass-related addresses globally accepted standards fittings as per modern technology demand in the of quality performance through their glass fitting world. quality products produced using modern technology. Product: Shower enclosure, staircase railing, balcony, platform, office partition Product: Maruti OPC Cement Address: Thapathali, Kathmandu Address: Saraswati Marg, Kathmandu Contact: 9851007818 Contact: 4257566 Website: www.adityahardware.com Website: http://maruticements.com/
Agni Cement Brij Cement The major manufacturing facilities include one Address: Siddhartha Complex Building, grinding unit, one stationary electronic packing 3rdFloor, Kamaladi, Kathmandu machine supported by quality control laboratory, Contact: 4442430/4420942 and electrical and mechanical workshops.
Products: Agni Cement (Portland Pozzolana Cement) and Tridev Cement (Portland SB Furniture Pozzolana Cement) Address: Kuleshwor, Kathmandu The company is an expert at fulfilling your ideal Contact: 4287107, 4287094 living needs. Extending its product range from different kinds of high class furniture, it has now brought SHERA Solution for you.
Bajra Brick and Tile Industries Pvt. Ltd Products: SHERA infillwall, SHERA board A concrete-based product manufacturing (ceiling, wall and floor), SHERA wood (floor industry, Bajra Brick and Tile Industries plank, stairs, splendid plank, skirt, laminated produces hollow blocks and tiles. skirt), SHERA roof system (eaves, eaves pro, eaves filter unit, SHERA Shake, SHERA Strip, Products: Hollow concrete blocks, interlocking vent ceiling tiles, Roman tiles) blocks, and driveway blocks Address: Patan Hospital Road, Lagankhel, Address: Bageswori, Bhaktapur Lalitpur Contact: 6619200 Contact: 5004047 Product Index
Antu Trading Concern Navin Distributors Committed to green building materials, Antu Navin Distributors has experience of more Trading Concern provides quality products than 25 years in its line. The company is widely and services through advanced technology in known for its home appliances and electronics, the building and construction line. as well as for flooring and furnishing products.
Products: Aluminum architectural profile, Products: Whirlpool home appliances, Hisense aluminum composite panel, particle and International, Kent water purifier, Khaitan gypsum boards, gypsum plasters and Electrical, Della, Balterio laminate flooring, hardware products. Hanex Acrylics solid surface and rugs. Address: Khasi Bazaar, Kalanki, Kathmandu Address: AT Complex, New Plaza Marg, Contact: 4273847 Kathmandu Contact: 4428196
JUAS International JUAS (Jiva Urban Agriculture Systems) is one of Gyani International the most sustainable organic food production Gyani International is the solution to your systems, which is ideally suited for urban and confusion with glass blocks. If you need to suburban locations. decorate your house with glass, it has different products that address your desire. Products: Hydroponics system, aquaculture system, composting system Products: LA Rochere G60/F 15 fire glass Address: Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur block, Easifix, precast glass block floor panels Contact: 5532859 (roof lights), LA Rochere precast floor pavers, Website: www.juasnepal.com prefabricated wall panels, and precast Easifix glass block panels Address: Pulchowk, Lalitpur Contact: 5521335 Marvel Technoplast Pvt. Ltd. Marvel Technoplast works on hot and cold water piping systems. The pipes are specially formulated, tested, and proven to maintain Suyash International Pvt. Ltd. water purity; they also resist corrosion and Let your house and office be lighted with solar last longer than generic CPVC standard pipes. light. Suyash International helps you to do so.
Products: CPVC pipes and fittings Products: Solar Panels Address: Heritage Plaza, 2nd Floor, Kamaladi, Address: Putalisadak, Kathmandu Kathmandu Contact: 4229687 Contact: 4169122
Create Acme Associates Suryodaya Polymers Pvt. Ltd. “acme” Facility Mgmt. Services Plc. offers Suryodaya Polymers has introduced triple- specialist solutions to a wide variety of problems layer blow molded HDPE water tanks with and challenges associated with the repair and UV protection. refurbishment of concrete and masonry.
Product: Mangalam Water Tanks, CPVC Product: Chemicals (Dobeckot 505 C, Hardener pipes and fittings EH 408) Address: Naxal, Kathmandu Address: Bakhundole, Kathmandu Contact: 4428537, 4424784 Contact: 5552413, 5552723 Product Index
Padmashree Pvt. Ltd KL Dugar Padmashree provides wide range of heavy United Cement, a product of KL Dugar group, equipment required in most kinds of is made using dry process and five-stage construction work. It provides equipment preheating technology, which ensures eco- from three different companies. friendly environment production. Keeping its commitment to a clean and green environment, Products: Bobcat (multipurpose, easy the plant has all pollution control measures operation, and fuel efficient), Liebherr (for required as per Nepal standards and regulations. construction and demolition), Sandvik (for road work, tunneling, and mining) Product: United Cement (OPC cement) Address: Pashupati Sadak, Gyaneshwor, Address: Charkhal Road, Dillibazar Kathmandu Contact: 4437991 Contact: 4411900, 4435631, 4440362
Shuvakamal Global Business Hub ATC Product: Power generators and water pumps If you feel like having a swimming pool in your Address: Kathmandu Central Business Park, home, ATC will build it for you. Teku, Kathmandu Contact: 4104587, 4104525 Products: Swimming pool, water pumps, solar panel Address: Teku, Kathmandu Contact: 4261220, 4262220 Glassic Studio Glassic Studio is the right place if you want to decorate your house with various varieties of Liv Pure (Green Group) glass with customized designs. The company deals with different kinds of Product: Glass etching, crystal glass etching, multinational and national brands of water stained glass, texture glass, lacquered glass, purifiers, and provides both sales and service. toughened glass, sand blasting , glass staircase It has won the trust of families in Kathmandu & railing, glass furniture, shower cabinet, false by providing home services. ceiling, sky light, and glass accessories Address: Teku Rd. Tripureshwor, Kathmandu Products: Water purifier, water treatment plant, Contact: 4216016 solar water heater, kitchen chimney, vegetable and fruit purifier, and other home appliances. Address: Lainchaur, Kathmandu Contact: 4442733, 4441018 Him Electronics Authorized distributor and marketer of international brands like Samsung, Bajaj, Timex, Indo-Asian, Ahuja, Aux, Osram, Ark, E3 Security Solution Pvt. Ltd. and indigenous brand Himstar, it is one E3 Security is the answer to safeguarding your of the leading electronics companies of valuables from fire both in your home and Nepal. It brings latest innovation, cutting office. edge technology, and efficient supply chain management to the consumer electronics Product: Fire Extinguishers (portable clean market. agent, mobile clean agent, and automatic clean agent), and fire detector Address: JDA Office Complex, 3rd Floor, Address: Kumaripati, Lalitpur Bagdurbar, Sundhara, Nepal Contact: 5008730 Contact: 4233494, 4249453 AD Index
Prefab homes & HOusing Arati & Company 51 VSK Builders 15 Himalayan Bamboo 187 Himalayan Prefab 39
Electricals Himal Refrigerator 265 Pioneer Electrocable 57 E3 Security Solution 87 Taini Electricals 261
Construction Material Kathmandu Steels 143 Ambe Cement 09 Ashok Steels 47 Sarawagi Plywood Industries 03 Goenka 11 Sagarmatha Cement 04 Jagadamba Cement Hard Page Hitco Pvt Ltd 57 Eco Parquet & Decoration 05 Brij Cement 13 Krishna Chemicals & Paints 105 Panchakanya 105 Ambe Steels 12 Himal Steel Out Side fold Eco Green 263
Generators Kriloskar 245 Nepal Ekarat 10 Kathmandu Diesel Concern 14
HArdware Aditya Hardware Enterprises 171 Ganesh Metal Works 255 S.B. Furniture Hard Page Karuna Interior 231 Green Suppliers (Liv Pure) 227 Smart Paani 245 Navin Distributors 17 Create Bath Int’l 267 Jaquar ear panel Wood Master Pvt. Ltd. 53 ATC Pvt. Ltd. 105, 109, 179 Apurva International 08 Juas 234, 235 Yeti Polychem Pvt. Ltd. 191 Glassic Studio 207 Ram Metal Workshop 179 Agni Enterprises 97
Engineering Firm Soil Test 245 Kalika Construction 115 Bandan Bhagawati Nirwan Sewa 147 Raman Construction 109 Himalayan Engineering 81 Samar Engineering 77
Heavy Equipment Toyota 149 Pooja International 75 Padmashree 6, 7 Mahindra 65
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