Traditional FarmHouse and contemporary dwellings of Bhutan - a transformation

• Published in: Journal of Urban and Landscape Planning (Online) no. 4; pp. 54 - 65
• Main Author: Wangzom, Dorji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editura Universitară “Ion Mincu” 18.12.2019; “Ion Mincu” University Publishing House
• Subjects: Fine Arts / Performing Arts; History; vernacular; traditional farm houses; transformation; contemporary buildings; architecture
• ISSN: 2501-5591; 2559-4141
• DOI: 10.54508/JULP.04.04

Vernacular architecture is the physical manifestation of culture of a people and it comprises of dwellings and buildings of people. The dwellings are built in harmony with local environment using local materials and technologies.The vernacular or traditional farm houses in Bhutan has evolved over the centuries using age old skills and methods of construction. On the contrary, contemporary dwellings in Bhutan has come up over last decades due to urbanization leading to better social and economic lives. This paper seeks to present, compare vernacular and contemporary housing and discuss the transformation of vernacular houses into contemporary buildings. Transformation has brought in certian positive changes, however, the preservation of unique identity through the superficial incorporation of architectural features needs to be pondered upon, as there is threat of gradual loss of indigenous skills and methods of construction