Bhutanese houses apart from the Dzongs, monasteries, temples and bridges have a distinct character from those of other Himalayan countries. Most houses are relatively spacious and take advantage of natural light and because of the steep terrain, are usually built as scattered houses or in clusters rather than in rows. Timber, stone, clay and adobe bricks are typical construction materials. Family residences are frequently three storied with room for livestock on the ground floor, storage and sometimes living quarters on the second floor and on the third floor living quarters and a shrine. Between the third floor and the roof an open space is usually kept for open-air storage. Boulders over lath are used to hold down wooden shingles on the roof truss.Traditional farmhouses are the main forms of secular architecture in Bhutan. The Bhutanese home is more than just a residential unit. It is also a social, economical and religious unit. Generally, traditional farmhouses are two stories high although ideally, there may be three main floors and an attic. The building may have semi-covered courtyards walled in the front, providing a link between the interior and external surroundings. This courtyard is used for purposes such as sheltering animals and storing agricultural implements.
The hierarchy of floors in a typical Bhutanese house starts with the simple lower ground floor as shelter for livestock, with upper levels used for living and religious purposes. The foundation is laid with stones placed in a trench and built up to a height of 50 cm above the ground. Walls are usually made of stone in central and eastern Bhutan, and of compacted mud offering strong and durable structure in the west. Traditionally, the windows on the lower floor are smaller than those on the upper floors. A cutout of a curved trefoil motif called a horzhing is characteristic of all windows in Bhutan. Below the high-shingled roofs, there are large open spaces used for drying agricultural products and storage. Just below the roof and above doors and windows, elaborately painted timber cornices are usually placed.
Houses can have a festive appearance if painted with floral, animal and religious motifs. Some of the most common patterns represent the lotus, the eight auspicious symbols, mythical animals and large red phalluses. The phallus is supposed to ward away evil, and many houses are decorated with carved wooden phalluses hung at the four corners or over the door. A prayer flag can be seen on the centre of the roof of all Buddhist homes
My family in Bumthang still lives in a traditional Bhutanese cottage. It is a house full of memories of my childhood, my late mother, and my late sister. I always remember long winter nights of Bumthang, sitting by the bukari (traditional heater) with all members of my family.
In the last 5 years, my beautiful country has witnessed unprecedented changes. This was primarily due to rapid economic growth and modernization which has resulted in a gradual erosion of traditional ways and values of life which one day may lead to the disappearance of Bhutan's unique architecture, especially in the growing urban towns. I hope we can preserve all the values and traditions which made us a peaceful nation today.
