arup associates: druk white lotus school hit by flash floods

‘druk white lotus school’ by arup associates in shey, ladakh, india image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters

image courtesy of drukpa trust

‘druk white lotus school‘ by london-based architectural practice arup associates has been severely affected by a series of recent flash floods. located in the village of shey, ladakh, in the western himalayas of northern india, initial inspections of the school indicate limited structural damage but many internal walls and floors are in need of replacement. overall, the anti-seismic buildings have withstood the flow of the mud, but further studies and mitigation design strategies will be employed for possible future natural disasters.

since its completion, the project has received recognition worldwide, including the british council for school environment award for ‘the most inspiring building globally’ in 2009. the project took nearly 15 years of close collaboration with the client body to ensure that the new school offered an academic model suitable for a local community experiencing enormous pressure to change under the influence of modernity. the resulting design focuses on not only sustainability in terms of reducing energy consumption, but sustainability of all components of humanity such as tradition and religion.

for more information or to donate to assist in the school’s rebuilding, visit the druk white lotus school‘s website.

image courtesy of drukpa trust

classroom after the mudslide image courtesy of drukpa trust

image courtesy of drukpa trust

image courtesy of drukpa trust

volunteers assisting with the clean up image courtesy of drukpa trust

children and parents helping out with the mud removal image courtesy of drukpa trust

the school before the flash floods image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters

image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters

image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters

2-storey junior block image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters

trombe walls image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters

horizontal and vertical anti-seismic cross-bracing image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters

photovoltaic panels image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters

classroom image courtesy of arup associates photograph by christian richters