Historic districts as an alternative approach to preserve the Bhutanese Architectural Heritage

Abstract

Conservation practice in Bhutan is based on two sets of guidelines. One, the Traditional Architectural guidelines that illustrates the entitlement of different architectural features based on the type of building. The other guideline is the Bhutan Building Rules that makes it compulsory to incorporate certain traditional architectural features in all other construction. Although these guidelines have succeeded in preserving the historic structures individually, through the piecemeal approach, it lacks the holistic approach to conservation that takes the neighborhood fabric into consideration which is an important component of vernacular Bhutanese Architecture. This thesis is an attempt to come up with an alternative approach to conservation practices in Bhutan, the holistic approach which is the adaptation of the Historic district concept to better achieve the conservation objective. I analyze the conservation practices in the United States by specifically looking at two historic districts - Beacon Hill in Boston and Charleston in South Carolina. Based on the analysis, my recommendations for the alternative approach to conservation in Bhutan - the Historic district concept includes a set of design guidelines applicable within the historic districts while also looking at ways to make the historic district sustainable economically.