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UNLOCKING
WISDOM
The Star, Mon Aug 13, 2007 Stories
& Photos: The Star/Hilary Chiew
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| Looking ahead: Long-term
plans include a solar energy farm to power the entire
school’s needs, says Drukpa Trust vice-chairman Philip
Cornwell. |
THERE
is more to tradition and Tibetan Buddhism at the Shey Monastery, the
focal point of the 800-year celebration of the Drukpa lineage; there
is also modernism, in the form of an innovative school.
In
1992, the people of Shey had asked for a school that would provide
modern education in an environment that would also promote
preservation of Ladakh’s unique culture and spiritual needs.
The
Druk White Lotus School, the pride of both Ladakh and the Drukpa
lineage in the high-altitude Himalayan valley of Shey, has won three
international awards for its innovative design, which incorporates
energy-efficient features. It was picked the Best Green Building in
the World, Best Building in Asia and Best Education Building at the
World Architecture Award in 2002.
International
architectural firm, Arup Associates, provided its services pro-bono
in 1995 and assisted the Britain-based charity organisation, Drukpa
Trust, to conceptualise the school by marrying indigenous building
concepts with eco-friendly designs.
The
buildings face southeast, to harness solar energy and insulate the
classrooms against the cold.
As
far as possible, local materials were used and indigenous knowledge
was incorporated in the modern-looking structures, which can
withstand seismic occurrences.
Drukpa
Trust vice-chairman Philip Cornwell explained that the stones for
the walls were quarried from nearby hills and the roofs were layered
with grass and mud, just like the local farmhouses. Timber came from
poplar trees, although bigger logs had to be brought in from
neighbouring Kashmir.
However,
the solar energy tapped is only sufficient to drive the groundwater
pumps. The rooms have wide windows and roofs with skylights to let
in light.
Toilets
are built using the ventilation-improved pit system that eliminates
foul smells by cleverly regulating the hot and cold air streams
using a wall painted black to generate heat. The faeces collected in
the pit is turned into compost, which is then used in the greenhouse
to produce fresh greens.
Cornwell
said long-term plans include a solar energy farm to collect
sufficient energy to power the entire school’s needs – in the
residences and laboratories, and for its computers and
water-heaters. At present, it still depends on hydroelectricity from
grid and diesel-generators.
The
masterplan, designed by the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, takes the form of
a traditional mandala.
Mandala
is Sanskrit for circle, polygon, community and connection. It is a
symbol of man or woman in the world, a support for the meditating
person, and is often illustrated as a palace with four gates, facing
the four corners of the Earth.
Upon
completion of the living quarters (currently, there are two blocks,
and three more are in the pipeline), the layout of the school will
be in the shape of a key, symbolising the unlocking of the wisdom
chest.
The
school opened in 2001 with 88 students in both the nursery and
kindergarten classes Currently, there are 365 children up to Junior
5 and about 100 of them live in the dormitories. It will have around
780 pupils (aged between three and 18) when it is fully completed in
2011.
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| Adorable: Kindergarten
pupils of the Druk White Lotus School performing a folk
dance. |
For
now, the school has reached its halfway mark with the completion of
its nursery, infant and junior school courtyards (which include the
classrooms and landscaped play area), two residence blocks, a
kitchen, dining room and multi-purpose hall, the principal’s house
and a central courtyard. A science laboratory, music and arts
studio, library, middle school and two more residences are under
construction. The next stage will see the construction of the senior
secondary block, a sports pavilion and another dining room.
A
third residence is scheduled for completion in October. It will
house an additional 50 students from nomadic families in the remote
areas.
The
English-medium school is headed by an experienced educationist from
British, who is assisted by18 local teachers and 16 support staff.
Cornwell
said as more schools are built by the government, the Druk White
Lotus School (dwls.org) will be able to provide education to
disadvantaged nomadic children as it has lodging facilities.
Students who come from far away usually go home twice a year.
This
non-profit school charges a minimal fee and has, to date, secured
100 international sponsorships for both day and residential pupils.
Related
stories:
Homage
to a leader
Spread
the love
Malaysian
connection
Birth
of the Drukpa Lineage
©
The Star Publications |
