YANA information
Architecture in Bhutan
monks
Architecture
Special characteristics of Bhutanese Architecture
monks
previous page
Bhutanese Achitecture
Special characteristics of Bhutanese architecture
Temple of Kurjey Lhakhang near Jakar, Bumthang
The eleven-day annual In Bhutanese architecture, there is generally no planning and designing done on paper before a structure is built. The chief carpenter is the master of work and he has the size, layout and structure in his mind. He uses parts of his body for measurement and proportions of the different features of the building. He supervises other carpenters, stone-cutters and village workers.

No nails are used and the wood pieces are assembled by the dovetail technique. The many examples of traditional Bhutanese architecture that we see were all built in this way. Architectural styles differ from place to place and from different periods in time. The differences in style are due to: -availability of building materials; -physical and climatic conditions; -social and economic development; -religious and cultural traditions.

The main materials used have been stones, compressed earth (mud), wood and bamboo. Stone or rock is mostly used for dzongs and religious buildings while village houses are made of stones and compressed earth. Wooden shingles are commonly used for roofing. In some parts of eastern Bhutan bamboo mats are also used for roofing. Wood is used especially for windows, balconies of dzong buildings and temples. Windows have a distinctive trefoil shape and elaborate lintels painted with geometrical and floral motifs. The characteristics of Bhutanese architecture are generally: -lavish use of wood; -sloped whitewashed walls; -window size increasing with the stories; -the trefoil shaped windows; -the pitched roof covered with shingles and weighed down with stones.

Once the building is completed, artists often embellish it by painting different auspicious motifs. The selection of the site for any building, as well as the different steps of the construction, are guided by the astrologer's calculations and always followed by rituals. For religious buildings, the configuration of the site and good omens are considered very important.

powered by RAOnline
powered by RAOnline
top
previous page powered by RAOnline Bhutan Home
powered by RAOnline