Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law Library
Nestled among the mountains in Bhutan, the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law Library seamlessly blends traditional Bhutanese aesthetics with high-performance, sustainable design strategies to create a beautiful place for students to learn at Bhutan’s first law school.
Project Details
Location
Pangbisa, Paro, Bhutan
Client
Karuna Foundation
Year Completed
2022
Project Size
30,000 sq. ft.
Sustainability
The Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law Library was conceived as a demonstration project that would prove the benefits of high performance design to the Bhutanese people and aid in their adoption of efficient design and construction techniques. Working with local architects and builders, the design team blended traditional Bhutanese architecture with local materials and technologies to create an energy-efficient, comfortable library that supports learning and ensures superior air quality.
Land Recognition
As foreign architects working in Bhutan, we recognized that we had a responsibility on this project to thoughtfully bridge local architectural traditions and values with our design ideas. Holst worked with local architecture and cultural experts to design for the climate, available materials, and familiar aesthetics in a way that honors tradition and points toward a bright future. This project sits in the highlands of Pangbisa, Paro, a western town known for its many sacred sites and forests. You can learn more about the traditions of Bhutan through the Folk Heritage Museum.
Awards
- 2023 AIA Oregon Design Merit Award
Designing in Bhutan
As the first law school in Bhutan, students now have the opportunity to train for legal professions in their home country rather than studying abroad and returning to Bhutan without education on local laws. Initially included on the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law Library as sustainability consultants, Holst ultimately became designer of this project. Being part of this exciting venture was a unique and exciting opportunity to design a building that layers traditional Bhutanese architecture with contemporary high-performance building strategies. It sets a new precedent for Bhutan, on display for the many future leaders passing through the School of Law.
Remote Location
Presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law campus is located in the dramatic slopes of the eastern Himalayan mountains, overlooking the Paro Valley.
Blending Tradition With Sustainability
For the project, we worked with a diverse team of architects, engineers, and craftspeople to combine traditional Bhutanese artisanship with sustainable design techniques. Sustainable design strategies implemented throughout the library include custom-insulated glazing units produced by a Bhutanese craftsman, radiant heating, and a simple roof truss system that protects the insulation and decreases roof weight. The building’s compact footprint also reduced construction costs and energy consumption.
Traditional Bhutanese Craftsmanship
It was critical that the building took on traditional architectural forms due to the cultural significance of the campus. On the interior, the layout took inspiration from circulation patterns of dzongs, a traditional Bhutanese fortress, which typically has a circuitous central area. A central stair serves as a focal point in the space, which connects the library’s three floors and features a wooden “mosaic” wall arranged to evoke the notion of an intricate textile pattern.
Located 7,026 miles from Holst's Portland office.
Reading Room
The second floor houses the heart of the building – a double-height reading room, study rooms, collaborative spaces, and stacks of books. Filled with natural light and materials, this space fosters focus, reflection, and a deep connection to the pursuit of justice and study of Bhutanese public life.
