Druk Padma Karpo Insitute
Druk White Lotus School also known as Druk Padma Karpo Institute, was founded by Ladakhi spiritual leader, the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, it is supported by the Drukpa Trust under the patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Some of the children come from local villages while others from far away. 200 of the 628 are on scholarship, and 260 live in school dormitories. During morning assemblies the children recite the prayers they learn from a lama, and each year they prepare for their Ladakhi festival, with different classes competing in presentations of Ladakhi food, dress, nomadic life and other aspects of the culture they will help to preserve.
Construction has been managed by Arup Associates, which each year gives a leave of absence to a member of its engineering or architecture team to work with the school. The school has won World Architecture Awards for the Best Educational Building in Asia, and the Best Educational Building in the World. For its unique dry pit toilets with a cooling system it received the Best Green building in Asia award.
The exterior walls are built with local granite, mud mortar and cement pointing. The timber for the wooden frames and doors is sourced not far away, the ceilings are made following local style with willow sticks—the willow is provided by monastery plantations nearby. Solar panels provide electricity for lights and computers, and windows with double layers of glass allow for passive solar heating.
Through the open spaces of the circular assembly space spectacular mountain views are framed like paintings. One day, stupas will be erected around the classroom buildings and people will follow a circumambulation path that includes a nearby monastery. The school complex illustrates the links between tradition, environment and development and clearly marks a new direction for local design and technology.
Read MoreConstruction has been managed by Arup Associates, which each year gives a leave of absence to a member of its engineering or architecture team to work with the school. The school has won World Architecture Awards for the Best Educational Building in Asia, and the Best Educational Building in the World. For its unique dry pit toilets with a cooling system it received the Best Green building in Asia award.
The exterior walls are built with local granite, mud mortar and cement pointing. The timber for the wooden frames and doors is sourced not far away, the ceilings are made following local style with willow sticks—the willow is provided by monastery plantations nearby. Solar panels provide electricity for lights and computers, and windows with double layers of glass allow for passive solar heating.
Through the open spaces of the circular assembly space spectacular mountain views are framed like paintings. One day, stupas will be erected around the classroom buildings and people will follow a circumambulation path that includes a nearby monastery. The school complex illustrates the links between tradition, environment and development and clearly marks a new direction for local design and technology.
