Indigenous Design Leading The Way in Sustainable Innovation
Photo by: Ladakh Eco Resort
Climate change has become the defining crisis of our time, and the hospitality sector has a significant role to play due to its substantial environmental and social impact. In this state of climate emergency, it has become imperative for businesses to win this race against time with sustainability, economic growth, and resilience, using solutions with the lowest carbon footprint.
One innovator leading the way in sustainable innovation at 3500m above sea level is Norboo Wangchuk, Managing Director and owner of Ladakh Eco Resort in the Himalayan region of India.
Nestled in the heart of a 100-year-old village, Spurka, Ladakh Eco Resort is a sustainable luxury resort surrounded by one of the world's highest motorable roads, Khardung-La Pass on one side and the mighty Stok Kangri on the other. Spread across 2 acres and surrounded by the vibrant colors of hollyhocks, wild lilies, and liliums, the resort has only 14 cabins, each looking raw and spectacular under the clear blue sky.
But what gives these cabins such rugged beauty?
The Ingenuity of Rammed Earth Architecture
The rammed earth building method is an ancient traditional technique for constructing load-bearing walls made out of earth available near a site. The process involves placing loose earth in formwork and compressing it with a rammer to a density ranging from 1,900 kg/m3 to 2,300 kg/m3.
Rammed earth structures have been known to last for centuries. Leh Palace, built over three years in the early 17th century CE when Ladakh was under the rule of King Senge Namgyal, is one of the towering proofs of this form of architecture.
The cabins in Ladakh Eco Resort are made using rammed earth techniques, and one of the core design team members is Magsaysay award-winning engineer, innovator, and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk.
Once a norm, now an anomaly
One hundred years ago, rammed earth houses were the norm because they were the only thing that survived the challenging climatic requirements of the mountain desert.
“Mr. Sonam Wangchuk reintroduced rammed earth architecture in Ladakh with modern technologies, and Ladakh Eco Resort became one of the first resorts in the cold desert of Ladakh to embrace it with his help,” adds Norboo.
Mr. Sonam Wangchuk’s eco-friendly campus, SECMOL, in the lower part of Leh, was inspired by the same philosophy of architecture as well.
Norboo adds, “The Ladakh I remember from my childhood had clean water flowing in the streams from which we could drink directly. Over time, with an incredible boom in tourism, the temperature of our land has risen, and because of this, snow caps and glaciers are melting. We want business, of course, but not at the cost of our planet. When we discovered that earth construction was better for the environment, my father and I decided to use it for our rooms. Ladakh’s topography isn’t like that of low-lying cities. The climate is cold and dry. Cement isn't suitable here. Older people are more prone to bone-related ailments when walking barefoot on a cement or marble floor. Passive solar heating and rammed earth are the perfect combination for a warm house in Ladakh without spending too much on heating solutions.”
Photo by: Ladakh Eco Resort
What are the Advantages of Rammed Earth Walls?
Low Maintenance: Rammed earth walls require no plastering or painting, offering a natural finish with beautiful textures and colors. The thick walls also deter rodents and other pests.
Health Benefits: Rammed earth walls eliminate the need for toxic paints, creating a healthier indoor environment. These walls naturally counteract humidity and maintain stable temperatures, providing warm, dry, and energy-efficient living spaces.
Sustainability: Utilizing on-site earth reduces energy spent on transporting materials, minimizes waste, and integrates well with other natural materials like locally sourced stone and wood.
Energy Efficiency: The thermal mass of the walls maintains stable temperatures throughout the seasons, reducing the need for electricity-powered heating and cooling systems.
Photo by: Ladakh Eco Resort
Are Rammed Earth Structures Worth It?
Being in the hospitality business himself, Norboo is aware of the cost implications of adopting this labor-intensive and time-consuming style of architecture.
"When we started in 2014, Ladakh Eco Resort was the first commercial construction project using this method. Our builders had a limited workforce with the necessary skills. The process of sieving the earth and ramming the wall inch by inch was daunting, and the formwork required experienced masons. Also, precision in planning electrical and plumbing connections is crucial in rammed earth construction, as changes post-construction are difficult."
Ar. Stanzin Chozang, Founder of Chozang Design Associates, who collaborated on the project, agrees but sees the value. "Ladakh Eco Resort was Ladakh’s first commercial rammed earth project. Training masons and ensuring accuracy was challenging, but it was worth it. Sustainable architecture is crucial for vulnerable regions like Ladakh. Good design should aim to reduce carbon footprint and preserve cultural heritage."
Norboo believes using traditional methods like rammed earth preserves local culture and heritage. But for businesses to adopt such sustainable practices, travelers must also become conscious.
"Though labor-intensive and time-consuming, these methods are healthy, energy-efficient, and sustainable, outweighing the drawbacks. Yes, it’s expensive, but at my resort, guests have only appreciated the organic nature of the walls and our effort to reintroduce natural materials and local techniques in a commercial space dominated by concrete. We need to use ‘design’ to draw people’s curiosity. How else will there be awareness?"
— Norboo Wangchuk, owner of Ladakh Eco Resort
Raving guest reviews
Shally, who stayed at the resort last year, loved her stay inside the eco-cabins as they were temperature-controlled, a significant plus in the cold terrains of Ladakh. “I am always looking for eco-friendly stays, and this was just perfect.”
For GK, another tourist who stayed at the resort, ‘eco-friendly’ was a significant tick in the box too. “I recently stayed at Ladakh Eco Resort, and it was an amazing experience. The views and rooms are breathtaking, and the hotel’s philosophy is environment-centric, with rooms made from compressed earth blocks to ensure a minimum carbon footprint.”
Norboo and Stanzin strongly believe that sustainable practices like rammed earth structures don’t just reduce carbon footprint but also integrate buildings into their surroundings. "When one travels to Ladakh, the intent is to escape the city and embrace the local beauty as much as possible. Rammed earth provides just that. Guests are always excited and appreciative, which makes everything worth it," says Stanzin.
"Sustainable practices are becoming products in themselves, which is promising. As people learn more about the drawbacks of living in concrete, the future of sustainable building looks bright," adds Norboo.
Photos by: Ladakh Eco Resort Rammed Earth
But can rammed earth architecture be scaled and replicated in and outside the region if a business wants to explore and adopt this design solution?
Stanzin sees its potential if customized to the place’s requirements. “Rammed earth can scale up and be replicated at places where the availability of earth is in easy reach. But weather patterns must also be considered before executing it. If nothing, it can be used like a featured wall in urban areas and existing buildings that will help keep the house's temperature in check.”
Ladakh Eco Resort is a testament to the fusion of traditional techniques and modern sustainability, proving that grassroots innovations can be the new beautiful.
