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Bhutan Housing
Bhutanese housing has a distinct character from that of
other
Himalayan countries. Relatively spacious compared with
those of
neighboring societies, houses took advantage of natural
light and,
because of the steep terrain, were usually built in
clusters rather
than in rows. Timber, stone, clay, and brick were typical
construction materials in upland Ngalop areas. Family
residences
frequently had three stories, with room for livestock on
the first
or ground story, living quarters on the second story,
additional
living quarters and storage on the third story, and an
open space
between the third story and the roof for open-air storage.
Large
stones were used to weigh down wooden roofs against fierce
Himalayan storms. Among Buddhism's contributions to Bhutan
were its
rich architectural embellishments. The walls of residences
and
public buildings, inside and outside, were subject to
colorful
decoration, as were furniture, cupboards, stairs, window
frames,
doors, and fences. Wooden shutters rather than scarce
glass were
used throughout the 1980s. Buddhist motifs and symbolic
colors also
were extensively used. Sharchop houses of stone and timber
were
sometimes built on hillsides. In the southern areas
inhabited by
Nepalese, Assamese, and Bengalis, housing was more likely
to
consist of bamboo and thatched roof houses and mud and
thatch
dwellings. The construction of housing often was a
cooperative task
of the community.
Data as of September 1991
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