DOCSLIB.ORG

THE SECULAR HOUSE a Manual for Preserv a Tion and Seismic Impro V Ement of V Ernacular Stone Dw Ellings in Bhutan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
THE SECULAR HOUSE a Manual for Preserv a Tion and Seismic Impro V Ement of V Ernacular Stone Dw Ellings in Bhutan THE SECULAR HOUSE A manual for preservation and seismic improvement of vernacular stone dwellings in Bhutan POLITECNICO DI TORINO Corso di Laurea Magistrale in ARCHITETTURA PER IL PROGETTO SOSTENIBILE A.A. 2019-2020 Tesi di Laurea Magistrale THE SECULAR HOUSE A manual for preservation and seismic improvement of vernacular stone dwellings in Bhutan Manuela Reitsma RELATORI Francesca De Filippi Roberto Pennacchio Takayoshi Aoki Settembre 2020 Abstract 6 Introduction 8 Glossary 10 Bhutan through the eyes of a bhutanese person 12 1 | BHUTAN 15 1.1 THE LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON 17 1.2 THE BUTHANESE POPULATION 19 1.3 THE MODERNIZATION PROCESS 21 2 | RISK 25 2.1 A FRAGILE LAND 27 2.2 WHAT IS AN EARTHQUAKE? 33 2.3 WHAT IS THE RISK? 36 3 | ARCHITECTURE 41 3.1 A SECULAR TREASURE 43 3.2 TRADITIONAL HOUSES 46 3.3 STRENGTH AND VULNERABILITY 56 4 | MATERIALS 59 4.1 AVAILABILITY 61 4.2 MINES AND QUARRIES 62 4.3 FOREST PRODUCTS 66 4.4 CONCLUSIONS 74 5 | PLAN OF ACTION 77 5.1 DAMAGE PATTERNS 79 5.2 COMMON SEISMIC PRACTICES 93 5.3 SELECTION OF SEISMIC PRACTICES 108 6 | MANUAL 113 6.1 PRIOR KNOWLEDGE 115 6.2 ACTIONS 120 Conclusion 155 Bibliography 156 Abstract ITA Abstract ENG La tesi mira alla ricerca di soluzioni tecnologiche volte al recu- The thesis aims to find technological solutions for the recovery pero di case rurali in pietra in Bhutan, con l’obiettivo di garantire of rural stone houses in Bhutan, with the purpose of ensuring sicurezza ai loro abitanti contro i terremoti che scuotono l’intera the safety of their inhabitants against earthquakes, that shake regione. the entire region. Il Bhutan è un piccolo paese, situato nella catena himalayana, Bhutan is a small country, located in the Himalayas, advancing che avanza in un mondo ormai globalizzato, in bilico tra la spinta in a globalized world, poised between the push of moderniza- modernizzatrice che ha invaso il territorio e l’anima tradizionali- tion that has invaded the territory and the traditionalist soul that sta che tiene a galla l’unicità di questa cultura. La grande sfida keeps the uniqueness of this culture afloat. The great challenge di questa ricerca, quindi, sta nel trovare soluzioni tecnologiche of this research, therefore, lies in finding innovative technolog- innovative, rispettando allo stesso tempo la cultura vernacolare ical solutions, while respecting the architectural and social ver- architettonica e sociale del contesto rurale bhutanese, così ca- nacular culture of the Bhutanese rural context, so characteristic ratteristico da connotare un panorama unico a scala mondiale. to connote a unique landscape on a global scale. La tesi si svolge nell’ambito un progetto di ricerca internaziona- The thesis is part of an international research project SATREPS le SATREPS “for Evaluation and Mitigation of Seismic Risk for “for Evaluation and Mitigation of Seismic Risk for Composite Ma- Composite Masonry Buildings in Bhutan”. Questo studio si rivol- sonry Buildings in Bhutan”. This study is aimed, therefore, to all ge, quindi, a tutti coloro che si troveranno ad affrontare queste those who will face these issues, but above all it is addressed to tematiche, ma soprattutto si rivolge ai tecnici e agli artigiani lo- local technicians and craftsmen, that are often called to intervene cali, ovvero coloro che sono spesso chiamati ad intervenire sul on the recovery and maintenance of the housing heritage. The recupero e manutenzione del patrimonio abitativo. Il linguaggio graphic language chosen must be understandable even to those grafico scelto deve essere comprensibile anche a chi non ha par- who have no particular technical knowledge, involving every sin- ticolari conoscenze tecniche, coinvolgendo nella causa ogni sin- gle inhabitant of the country. The work is developed through the golo abitante del paese. Il lavoro si sviluppa attraverso l’analisi analysis of the seismic risk that threatens the territory and then del rischio sismico che minaccia il territorio e successivamente through the study of the characteristic features of traditional attraverso lo studio dei tratti caratteristici dell’architettura, delle architecture, construction technologies and traditional building tecnologie costruttive e dei materiali da costruzione tradiziona- materials available locally. After the study and re-elaboration of li disponibili localmente. In seguito allo studio e alla rielabora- common techniques and the hypothesis of new approaches, we zione di tecniche di intervento consolidate e all’ipotesi di nuovi finally reach the realization of a manual of intervention, that help approcci, si giunge infine alla realizzazione di un manuale di in- in achieving the safety of Bhutanese rural houses. tervento che possa essere d’aiuto nella messa in sicurezza delle case rurali bhutanesi. 6 7 Introduction The thesis is part of a collaboration between the CRD-PVS Re- exposure represents the value of human lives, goods and herit- search Centre and an international research project SATREPS age. Vulnerability concerns the strength of the building. Hazard “for Evaluation and Mitigation of Seismic Risk for Composite Ma- and exposure are represented with the help of maps, leading sonry Buildings in Bhutan”, involving the Bhutanese government, to the risky zonation of Bhutan. The vulnerability is the factor a group of Japanese research institutes (Nagoya City University, which can be prevented by the retrofitting manual application, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resil- so it is better analysed in the following chapter. The THIRD part ience (NIED), Kyoto University, Kagawa University, Tohoku Uni- is about traditional architecture. Advantages and weaknesses of versity, Nihon University) and the Department of Architecture typical Bhutanese architecture are bought out in order to define and Design of the Politecnico di Torino. the vulnerability. Firstly, the chapter starts with the design de- scription that brings out historical, religious and social issues, as Bhutan is a small country in the Himalayan mountains. The in- well as constructive ones. The richness and uniqueness of the credible biodiversity and the rugged morphology have made traditional buildings are pointed out. The use of local materials, the country inaccessible: Bhutan was hidden to the world for in particular, represents both a vernacular value and a weakness centuries and the isolation has made the region a unique place. during the earthquakes. So, the issue is better developed in the The traditional architecture was preserved for a long time and fourth chapter. The FOURTH part is about construction materi- nowadays is threatened by the modernization process, which is als. Traditional and modern materials are analysed, pointing out spreading in the country since the opening to the modern world the local availability and the environmental and social impact, in in the ‘50s. Moreover, the region is subjected to strong earth- order to find a compromise between vernacular materials and quakes and rural vernacular architecture is even more vulnerable useful available materials which can be used for the develop- due to the impoverishment of the constructive knowhow. This ment of the retrofitting actions. After the analysis of the seismic thesis aims to develop a retrofitting manual for enhancing stone risk of Bhutan, with a specific focus on vulnerability, the thesis rural houses’ seismic behaviour. Three steps have brought me to moves on drafting the common practices in seismic retrofit. It is the aim: the personal discovery of Bhutan, through readings and the FIFTH part. This chapter is divided into three subchapters: conversations with a bhutanese girl, the study of the seismic risk the damages analysis, the common practices list and the selec- of the country, with reference to architecture, and the research tion of these practices, according to the issues developed in the of retrofitting practices. Each step has allowed me to learn more previous chapters (the modernization incursion, the architectur- and more about this complex country and about the seismic al heritage, the seismic risk, the available materials). The SIXTH retrofit issue: the drafting of the manual reflects the several chal- part is the manual, which is divided in several procedure cards: lenges. To simplify the reading, the tesis is divided intro six parts. each card proposes a different action which prevents several damages. The actions proposed comply with the workmanship The FIRST part gives a brief geographical, historical and social skills and the tools and materials availability. overview of Bhutan, in order to bring out the complexity of the land and society. Bhutan is a rugged region with a mountainous For having a better overview on Bhutanese scenario, the thesis morphology that make movements in the country hard, both must be read entirely. Despite this, each chapter is written so for people and ideas. In this scenario, the modernization pro- that it can be read separately, according to the reader’s interest. cess brings other urban and social critical aspects. The tension Moreover, the bibliography is organized according to three lev- between “modern” and “traditional” is crucial for retrofitting ac- els, so that it is easy to find the origin of any information: refer- tions. The SECOND part develops a specific feature which brings ences or numerical data in the text are followed by [author, year] out even more the complexity of the scenario: the disaster risk. of the original document; each paragraph has a numerical link to The
Load more

Recommended publications
  • On Bhutanese and Tibetan Dzongs **
    ON BHUTANESE AND TIBETAN DZONGS ** Ingun Bruskeland Amundsen** “Seen from without, it´s a rocky escarpment! Seen from within, it´s all gold and treasure!”1 There used to be impressive dzong complexes in Tibet and areas of the Himalayas with Tibetan influence. Today most of them are lost or in ruins, a few are restored as museums, and it is only in Bhutan that we find the dzongs still alive today as administration centers and monasteries. This paper reviews some of what is known about the historical developments of the dzong type of buildings in Tibet and Bhutan, and I shall thus discuss towers, khars (mkhar) and dzongs (rdzong). The first two are included in this context as they are important in the broad picture of understanding the historical background and typological developments of the later dzongs. The etymological background for the term dzong is also to be elaborated. Backdrop What we call dzongs today have a long history of development through centuries of varying religious and socio-economic conditions. Bhutanese and Tibetan histories describe periods verging on civil and religious war while others were more peaceful. The living conditions were tough, even in peaceful times. Whatever wealth one possessed had to be very well protected, whether one was a layman or a lama, since warfare and strife appear to have been endemic. Security measures * Paper presented at the workshop "The Lhasa valley: History, Conservation and Modernisation of Tibetan Architecture" at CNRS in Paris Nov. 1997, and submitted for publication in 1999. ** Ingun B. Amundsen, architect MNAL, lived and worked in Bhutan from 1987 until 1998.
    [Show full text]
  • Best of Bhutan
    Best of Bhutan Tour designer: Aashish Gaur Telephone: +91 (120) 3300555 Email: [email protected] BHUTAN | 07 DAY /06 NIGHTS Route: Circuit to and from Paro Type of tour: Mix of nature, historical excursion and Culture Departure day: Sunday Validity: From January 01, 2018 to December 31, 2019 TOUR OVERVIEW In the middle of the Himalayas there is a country known as the "Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon" that has lived a long life isolated from the rest of the world. Thus it has managed to maintain the cultural and spiritual heritage of its old traditions reflected in an ancestral religion, art and architecture that flood its golden peaks surrounded by deep valleys. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Thimphu: Unique city with strange mixture of 21th century with ancient traditions. The capital city of the Kingdom & center of government, commercial and religious of the country Punakha: Blessed with a temperate climate, Punakha has been inextricably linked to momentous events in the history of Bhutan. One of the most majestic structures in the country is located here. Paro: It is one of the most beautiful valleys of Bhutan with many sacred sites and historic buildings scattered throughout the area Haa Valley: This valley is unique due to the diversity of popular culture, its legends and its local traditions. Dochula pass (3,080m): From where you can see the most enchanting views of the eastern Himalayas. Taktshang Lakhang (Tiger's Nest): The most famous of the monasteries of Bhutan, perched on a cliff 900m above the Paro Valley NOT TO BE MISSED THIMPHU: Try the Ema Datshi - the PUNAKHA: Visit the Chimi Lhakhang, PARO: Relax with a traditional national dish of Bhutan based chilis the temple of fertility.
    [Show full text]
  • Dorje Lingpa and His Rediscovery of the “Gold Needle” in Bhutan
    Dorje Lingpa and His Rediscovery of the “Gold Needle” in Bhutan Samten G. Karmay1 Introduction Among the Buddhist ritual traditions that are still preserved and carried out as the central religious constituents of the annual festivals in Bhutan today those of Dorje Lingpa (1346-1405) stand out strikingly. This is particularly so in Bumthang area, Central Bhutan. In 1998 and 1999, I have had the good fortune to witness these spectacular festivals in Ogyen chöling and, in 1999, at Jampa Lhakhang in Bumthang itself. Dorje Lingpa is considered as one of the five great “treasure revealers” (tertön) among the Nyingmapa and an important Dzogchen master by the Bonpo tradition. He was thus an exceptional figure who clearly adopted an impartial approach to both Buddhist practices and the Bon, the non-Buddhist religious tradition in Tibet, in his spiritual quest. His approach therefore made him the precursor of what is later known as the “eclectic” (rime) movement of the nineteenth century (Smith 1970). Like many other Tibetan men of religion, Dorje Lingpa never settled himself in one place. He travelled around incessantly carried away by the motivation of disclosing hidden manuscripts and it was mainly because of this urge in him that he travelled to Bhutan, then known as Mönyul or Lhomön (Cf. Pommaret 1999), where he flourished particularly. He had left in Bhutan not only his ritual legacy but also his family descendants. 1 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris 1 Journal of Bhutan Studies Due to the studies of Michael Aris (1979: 158) and Françoise Pommaret (1997: 408, 414), the accounts of Dorje Lingpa’s descendants who established themselves there as well as those of his reincarnations are now relatively well known.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhutan : a Journey Between Heaven & Earth Itinerary
    Palace Tours 12000 Biscayne Blvd. #107 Miami FL 33181 USA 800-724-5120 / 786-408-0610 Call Us 1-800-724-5120 Bhutan : A Journey between Heaven & Earth On this 11-day journey from Paro, immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture by visiting the massive dzongs, spectacular monasteries, as well as the small villages in the Phobjikha valley. The architecture of Bhutan is one of the Kingdom's most visible distinctive features. The massive dzongs (fortresses) with their upward sloping walls, the ancient monasteries and the humble farm houses all stand out as important parts of the country's landscape. Each valley in Bhutan retains its own architectural character in terms of the type of building materials used, ranging from mud to stone, and the special ambience of its most famous monasteries and dzongs. Itinerary Day 1 - Welcome to Paro You are met upon arrival at the airport in Paro and driven to your hotel for check-in. After lunch, visit the National Museum of Bhutan to learn about the vibrant culture of this landlocked country. Move on to Paro Dzong, also known as Rinpung Dzong, a massive fortress/monastery which is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag. This evening, relax and enjoy the experience of watching the locals play the traditional game of archery. Dinner is served at the hotel. Day 2 - Hike to the "Tiger’s Nest" This morning after breakfast, drive to the end of the road and begin your two-hour hike to Taktshang monastery, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest,” which received its name from the legend that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew there on the back of a tiger.
    [Show full text]
  • THE FLOWERS & MONASTERIES Western & Central Bhutan
    THE FLOWERS & MONASTERIES of Western & Central Bhutan SMALL GROUP DEPARTURE 10 NIGHT FULLBOARD PACKAGE (3 nights Uma Paro & 7 nights Tourist Class hotels) June 2 nd to 12 th 2009 One of the ancient names given to Bhutan was 'Southern Valleys of Medicinal Herbs' and thanks to the enlightened leadership of Bhutan’s kings and the strong conservation ethic of the Bhutanese people an estimated 770 species of birds and more than 50 species of rhododendron alone, besides a large variety of medicinal plants and orchids, are found in the country. Soon after Losar, the Bhutanese New Year, the glories of the Kingdom's flora slowly begin to unfold, the landscape sheds its winter coat taking on every shade of green, up at the Dochula Pass two varieties of Primula Denticulata emerge through the frost covered ground, the Chele La is carpeted in Edelweiss and in early June rhododendrons are in full bloom. Encompassing seven valleys, of differing altitudes, and three high passes at this time of the year makes for the perfect experience for culture and nature lovers alike. Traveling through Bhutan’s ethereal landscape on the way to the wild centre, we pass countless golden roofed monasteries and prayer flag covered hilltops, navigate endless emerald valleys and ancient forests with snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the background throughout. This ten-night package promises an easy yet comprehensive experience of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, with accommodation split between the luxury resort of Uma Paro, and carefully-sourced, traditional hotels in the less developed regions. The adventure starts with an exploration of the bustling markets and colorful museums of the capital Thimpu, before heading over the spectacular Dochu La (pass) and following the Mo Chhu (Mother River) to Punakha and the Divine Madman’s temple Chimmi Lhakhang.
    [Show full text]
  • Thrims Khang and the Setting for Justice: the Spatial Evolution of the Courts of Justice in Bhutan
    Thrims khang and the Setting for Justice: The Spatial Evolution of the Courts of Justice in Bhutan Richard W Whitecross Introduction On 16 June 2014 a ceremony was held to inaugurate the new Supreme Court complex in Thimphu. The Supreme Court complex represents the most recent expression, if not the culmination, of a process of court design and judicial architecture in Bhutan. The evolution of the design and construction of Bhutanese courthouses1 is an important, if overlooked, feature of the modernisation of the Bhutanese legal system. Even more than the creation of new demarcated spaces for the operation, display and manifestation of judicial authority, the modern courthouses are part of a broader programme that underpins the ongoing process of democratisation. In this chapter, the role and function of the courthouse and courtroom in Bhutan is considered from a brief consideration of the dzongs established to secure the power of the Drukpa state, the changing engagement between ordinary people and the formal structures of the state and state law and the relationship between the Bhutanese state, its judiciary and foreign donors and advisors. The approach adopted in this chapter draws on studies on architecture, history and legal history and seeks to consider what new understandings can be gained in the development of court architecture as part of the promotion of the Rule of Law. This chapter intentionally draws on studies of court architecture from beyond Bhutan and the immediate region to illustrate how Bhutan has sought to accommodate, engage with and adapt to existing and emerging perspectives on court architecture and its presentation of judicial and state power.
    [Show full text]
  • RESEARCH NOTE HIS HOLINESS the 13TH DALAI LAMA and BHUTAN HOUSE in KALIMPONG Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesan
    RESEARCH NOTE HIS HOLINESS THE 13TH DALAI LAMA AND BHUTAN HOUSE IN KALIMPONG Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck His Holiness the Great 13th Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobzang Thubten Gyamtso stayed in the newly built Bhutan House in Kalimpong for three months in 1912 as the guest of my grandfather Raja Ugyen Dorji1 and his sister Ayi Thubten Wongmo.2 His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama was most kind loving and generous to my grandfather and my grand-aunt, and before he returned to Tibet from Bhutan House, he gave them his beautiful great gilded carved wooden alter and two smaller gilded carved wooden alters filled with the most precious and sacred gilded statues, each of which he placed on his head and prayed deeply over them before placing them on the alter himself. His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama also left many other treasures, religious brocade robes and many personal robes to my grandfather and grand-aunt. From Lhasa, His Holiness send to them a large exquisite gilded bronze statue of himself to keep on his throne in the temple (lhakhang) in Bhutan House where he stayed. His Holiness named the temple Dechen Gatsal, 'The Happy Garden of Great Bliss'. His Holiness named the newly built Bhutan House Mingyur Ngonpar Gawai Phodrang, 'he Palace of Unchanging Supreme Joy'. 1 Journal of Bhutan Studies My grand-aunt gave some silver to His Holiness and asked him to have a silver statue of the Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezi Chatong Chentong) made for her in Lhasa.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhutan Ladies Group Itinerary
    DISCOVER BHUTAN A Custom Private Program for Mindful Journeys Bhutan, a kingdom where happiness is paramount, where tradition and culture remain intact and where Buddhism has predominated since the 7th century. This is the kingdom of Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, landlocked in the mystical Himalayas. In less than 100 kilometers (60 miles), Bhutan rises 25,000 feet from the subtropical jungles of the south to the arctic cold of the high Himalayas. This extraordinary range of conditions, packed into such a small area, makes Bhutan very special. Combined with all these riches is an underlying conservation ethic, embedded deep in Bhutan's Buddhist culture and in the hearts and minds of the ordinary person. Bhutan is a magical place, and sometimes the line between fact and fiction gets a bit blurred. The natural and the mythic worlds exist side by side as easy neighbors. The world’s last, lost kingdom, Bhutan is only just opening its doors to tourism. What better stage for your next summer than in a long-forgotten land, un-spoilt by civilization, steeped in mythology, mysticism and magic, enraptured by the pristine beauty of an untrammeled country! © TRAVEL SCOPE INDIA email - [email protected] | web - www.travelscopeindia.com TRIP HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy panoramic views of Thimphu Valley from Sanjay Gang Viewpoint. Walk through hundreds of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the valley. • Explore the colorful Thimphu Market (Wednesday to Sunday). The largest domestic market for farmers is an explosion of colors and scents! • View the Himalyan summits at Dochu La Pass at 10500 feet, one of the most spectacular in all Bhutan.
    [Show full text]
  • Proposal for a New SLSA Project in the Kingdom of Bhutan Mission-Report by Dr. Eberhard Fischer Secretary General, SLSA, Zurich/Switzerland
    SLSA Jahresbericht 2006 Proposal for a new SLSA project in the Kingdom of Bhutan Mission-Report by Dr. Eberhard Fischer Secretary General, SLSA, Zurich/Switzerland My short trip to Bhutan (November 9–17, 2006) was aimed at clarifying whether ar- chaeological research could be carried out and how Archaeology could become insti- tutionalised within this Kingdom in Eastern Himalaya. I had already visited Bhutan once before in 1996, together with the former Swiss ambassador Jean-Pierre Zehnder. This time, I was requested by the resident coordinator of Helvetas, Werner Külling, to in- terrupt my trip to India in order to follow his invitation to clarify the possibilities of as- signing Swiss experts to a first archaeological excavation in Bhutan – a matter which goes back to the initiative of H. E. Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, the Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs, Bhutan. The main goal was to verify how suitable a site selected by the Bhutan Department of Culture (headed by Ms. Dorji Yangki) might be for an ex- cavation cum training course led by a Swiss archaeologist: the castle ruins Drapham dzong in the upper Choekhor valley of the Bumthang region. I was also asked to con- tact members of the Cultural authority of Bhutan, in order to personally hear their opin- ions about archaeology in Bhutan. During this undertaking, I made it an important concern to visit also the excava- tion sites at Batpalathang, where the now Freiburg-based archaeologist and former secretary of the SLSA, Reto Blumer, carried out an emergency excavation on behalf of the SLSA in 1999 and 2000.
    [Show full text]
  • Art and Archaeology of East and Southeast Asia the LIBRARY OF
    Art and Archaeology of East and Southeast Asia THE LIBRARY OF DR. JAN FONTEIN Former Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Partial catalogue April 2018 The Boston Globe June 28, 2017 Jan Fontein, historian of Asian art and former MFA director, dies at 89 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Dr. Fontein helped install the "Money Tree" in the exhibition "Stories from China's Past" in July 1987. As a boy growing up in the Netherlands, Jan Fontein found his calling as a museum director and art historian when he chanced upon an exhibit of ancient artifacts that animated his imagination. “When I was 8 years old, I was taken to a museum in Holland which focused on Roman antiquities. I have a very vivid recollection of that moment,” he told the Globe in 1985. “I saw a dirty old case filled with flint arrowheads. That sounds dull. But I saw the arrowheads as direct messages to me. I envisioned a battle in all its mad glory.” The arrowheads “were not works of art,” he added. “They were simple, humble objects. But they were a way for me to communicate with the past. That was exciting.” While serving from 1975 to 1987 as director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Dr. Fontein shared his enthusiasm about art and ancient centuries with hundreds of thousands of visitors who poured into the blockbuster shows that the MFA staged. He also ushered the institution into the modern era of museums as cultural marketplaces, overseeing the fund-raising and creation of the I.M.
    [Show full text]
  • Field Study of the Building Physics Properties of Common Building Types in the Inner Himalayan Valleys of Bhutan
    Energy for Sustainable Development 38 (2017) 48–66 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Energy for Sustainable Development Field study of the building physics properties of common building types in the Inner Himalayan valleys of Bhutan Mark F. Jentsch a,⁎, Christoph Kulle a,TobiasBodea,ToniPauera, Andrea Osburg a,Tenzinb, Karma Namgyel b, Karma Euthra b, Jamyang Dukjey b, Karma Tenzin b a Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bauhaus-Universität, Weimar, Germany b Department of Engineering Services, Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Thimphu, Bhutan article info abstract Article history: Traditionally, buildings in the Inner Himalayan valleys of Bhutan were constructed from rammed earth in the Received 15 October 2016 western regions and quarry stone in the central and eastern regions. Whilst basic architectural design elements Revised 25 February 2017 have been retained, the construction methods have however changed over recent decades alongside expecta- Accepted 1 March 2017 tions for indoor thermal comfort. Nevertheless, despite the need for space heating, thermal building performance Available online xxxx remains largely unknown. Furthermore, no dedicated climate data is available for building performance assess- ments. This paper establishes such climatological information for the capital Thimphu and presents an investiga- Keywords: fi Building monitoring tion of building physics properties of traditional and contemporary building types. In a one month eld study 10 Air tightness buildings were surveyed, looking at building air tightness, indoor climate, wall U-values and water absorption of U-value typical wall construction materials. The findings highlight comparably high wall U-values of 1.0 to 1.5 W/m²K for Indoor climate both current and historic constructions.
    [Show full text]
  • SMITHSONIAN Folklifc Festival Zuu8
    w SMITHSONIAN Folklifc Festival zuu8 Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon NASA: Fifty Years and Beyond Texas: A Celebration of Music, Food, and Wine 9. The 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival Bhutan; Land or the inunder Dragon NASA: Fifty Years and Beyond Texas: A Celebration of Music, Food, and Wine (Left) Dubbed the "Dancing Cowboy" by his devoted fans, conjunto accordionist Mingo Saldivar is known for his vigorous performance style. Photo courtesy Texas Folklife Resources (Right) Educator astronaut candidates Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Ricky Arnold, and Joe Acaba (with microphone) answer questions about their training in a webcast at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy nasa (Left) Astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper waves to the camera while participating in extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction continues on the International Space Station in September 2005. Photo courtesy nasa (Right) The annual community religious festivals (tsechus) celebrate the life of Guru Rinpoche and the arrival of Buddhism in Bhutan. Photo by Andrew Connors The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival brings together exemplary practitioners of diverse traditions from communities across the United States and around the world. The goal of the Festival is to encourage the vitality of these traditions by presenting them on the National Mall so that tradition-bearers and the public can learn from one another and understand cultural differences in a respectful way. Smithsonian Institution Center for FolkUfe and Cultural Heritage 600 Maryland
    [Show full text]