Bhutan has embarked on an ambitious project to build a campus for the first law school in the country. Presided over by Princess Dechen Wangchuck, the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law campus is located in the dramatic slopes of the eastern Himalayan mountains, overlooking the Paro Valley. Holst’s involvement with the project began as sustainability consultants before our role expanded to include the design of the Law Library.
For the law library, Holst has worked with a diverse team of architects, engineers, and craftspeople to combine traditional Bhutanese artisanship with modern, sustainable design techniques. The building’s height takes advantage of the beautiful views across the valley while the compact footprint reduces energy consumption and construction costs. Other sustainability measures include custom insulated glazing units produced by a Bhutanese craftsman, radiant heating, and a simple roof truss system that protects insulation and decreases roof weight.
This project artfully layers traditional Bhutanese architecture with contemporary high-performance building strategies. It sets a new precedent for Bhutan, on display for the many future leaders that will pass through the School of Law.
