Building Smart in the Himalayas

Sustainable Design Lessons from Sikkim

- 

Sikkim’s innovative building designs offer valuable insights into sustainable construction in cold climates. Priyanka Kochhar explains how projects like Khangchendzonga State University and Vrindavan Dham eco-tourism complex combine traditional knowledge with modern technology to create energy-efficient, comfortable spaces.

As climate change continues to challenge construction practices worldwide, Sikkim, a northeastern state in India, offers innovative solutions for sustainable building in cold climates. These solutions are particularly relevant to the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, where temperatures can drop below freezing, and terrain conditions challenge conventional construction methods.

Design for Cold Climates

The Himalayan region poses unique challenges for architects and builders, especially in areas where the weather is harsh, and the terrain is rugged.

Two significant projects in Sikkim — Khangchendzonga State University and the Vrindavan Dham eco-tourism complex — showcase how thoughtful design can create comfortable, energy-efficient buildings that blend traditional wisdom with modern technology.

Innovative Building Features

The buildings incorporate several key features that work with natural conditions rather than against them.