Dhajji Kothi – The Himalayan house of many Hands

Ancestral knowledge alive in regenerative, resilient alpine architecture.

This three-storey, 292 m² mixed-use building blends residence, hospitality, education, and recreation. It pioneers multi-storey construction using Dhajji Dewari, a cross-braced timber-and-stone system historically limited to single floors. Dhajji Kothi revives ancestral Himalayan knowledge to counter the decline of traditional craftsmanship, while offering a low-cost model for seismic regions.

It supports local families, eco-tourism, and cultural continuity through communal participation and agro-tourism initiatives. Over 70% of the timber was reclaimed from a 100-year-old Kathkuni house, supplemented by legally auctioned wood, stone sourced on-site, and natural mud-based plasters. Dry construction enables full disassembly, while passive strategies remove the need for mechanical systems. The project sequesters carbon, sustains biodiversity, empowers artisans, and provides a blueprint for resilient, regenerative alpine architecture.

 

 

 

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