Druk White Lotus
School: A Case Study in
Climate-Responsive
Architecture
The Druk White Lotus School, located in northern India, is a stunning
example of how beautiful architecture can be both functional and eco-
friendly.
GROUP MEMBERS:
SRUSHTI MALODE ,ATHARVA MANE
MAHESH MATE
YADNIKA BEDADE,SATWIKA MANUBALLA
1. Laid out in a Buddhist mandala, the school has won numerous awards for its sustainably oriented
design. Earlier landscape volunteers from the University of Greenwich, UK developed a play area,
started a nursery, and laid out the first plantings.
2. Between the melting of the glaciers, reduction in rain and snowfall, and the general desert conditions,
there is a declining amount of water available in Ladakh generally, and at the school.
3. As part of the new planting strategy, They also worked on improving the existing irrigation system, and
designing for and managing and reusing grey water in a more active way.
Community Involvement
1 Local Labor
Local labor and artisans were employed
Community Gathering Space throughout the construction process,
2
providing employment opportunities and
The school's beautiful amphitheater supporting the local economy.
provides a space for community gatherings
and events.
3 Cultural Preservation
The school's architecture reflects the local
culture and helps to preserve traditional
building techniques and styles.
Cold Climate Design
1 2 3
High Ceilings South-Facing Windows Compact Layout
The school's high ceilings The school's windows face The school's classrooms and
create a sense of south, allowing for maximum living spaces are arranged in a
spaciousness and allow warm sunlight and warmth during compact layout to minimize
air to rise, keeping the lower the colder months. heat loss and conserve
levels warmer. energy.
Architectural Features
Open Courtyard Amphitheater Library
An open courtyard in the A beautiful amphitheater The school's library is a
center of the school provides a provides a space for outdoor peaceful space with stunning
gathering space for students performances and gatherings. views of the surrounding
and helps to circulate fresh air mountains.
throughout the building.
Laboratories
The school's science laboratories are equipped with the latest technology and provide students with hands-on
learning experiences.
VENTILATION IMPROVED PIT
LATRINES
1. These eliminate fly and odor problems and-most
importantly in a desert environment - do not require
water.
2. A double chamber system with an integrated solar flue
allows their operation as composting toilets and
produces humus that can be used as fertilizer.
3. The design of the toilet System at Druk is simple and
effective.
4. A minor adaptation to the traditional style is an
innovative solution to remove smells. A large sheet of
steel (2-3mm thick) forms the back wall to the
composting space, this is painted black to heat the air
behind creating an updraft.
5. As the cold air from the bottom of the compost pit
rises it draws the smells up and out of horizontal
vents at roof level.
SECTIONAL VIEWS
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
1. Passive Heating
Use of natural heating methods through orientation and
use of building construction techniques.
2. Energy
Use of various alternate sources of energy to avoid use of
non-renewable sources of energy
3. Seismic Safety Design
Use of advanced seismic safety design measures as
this region experiences a severe climate and seismic
activity comparable to that of California.
4. Gravity feed water
Due to presence of desert-type climate, there is
massive scarcity of water thus advanced
techniques to compensate that
5. Ventilation-Improved Pit Latrines
Use of the solar-assisted dry latrines help solve
problem of lack of water and odor problems.
Bringing the Outdoors In
Living Wall Indoor Garden Skylight
A living wall provides fresh air and The school's indoor garden is a A large skylight provides natural
a natural touch to the school's peaceful space for reflection and light and stunning views of the
interior. relaxation. surrounding mountains.
Conclusion
The Druk White Lotus School is more than just a beautiful
building – it's a testament to what can be accomplished when
architecture is done right. By combining sustainability,
community involvement, and cultural preservation, the school
provides a model for what education can and should be.
