The museum owes its Ottoman-style architecture to the Turkish architect who came up with the initial design for Nassif House. Despite going through several renovations, the Nassif House museum still preserves its Ottoman architecture. The museum’s central hall leads to the rectangular rooms and stairs to the south. Many of its rooms consist of artwork that dates back to the 19th century. The doors and hallways boast Arabic calligraphy that was done originally by Ottoman Turks. There are two large Bay windows at the front side of the house, spanning over two levels above the main door. These windows have now become a staple of traditional Jeddah architecture. The ground floor is raised because of cisterns underneath it that store rainwater and keep the lower floors of the house cool. The museum also houses a library that has around 16,000 books belonging to King Abdulaziz University’s central library

1. SUSTAINABLE
THINKING

2. VENTILATION IMPROVED PIT
(VIP) LATRINES
• Traditional dry latrines have been
enhanced to Ventilation Improved Pit
(VIP) latrines. These eliminate fly and odor
problems and most importantly in a
desert environment do not require water.
• integrated solar flue allows their operation
as composting toilets and produces
odorless compost (humus) that can be
used an excellent fertilizer

3. VENTILATION IMPROVED PIT
(VIP) LATRINES
• Two solar pumps raise water from an aquifer
located about 32 m below ground.
• One pump sends water to 60,500 l reservoir
located on higher ground behind Naropa
Photang, from where it distributes under gravity
throughout the campus, while the other
provides irrigation water for the numerous trees
and plants.
• When not needed for pumping, the PVs charge
batteries that run the school’s computers.

4. • The Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines help to limit water demands because
their unique design allows them to function without water.
• Currently, wastewater is redirected and used for irrigation of landscaping,
including for willow saplings.
• Solid waste is sorted for recycling into paper, plastic and other, while
compostable material is utilized to create soil

5. CLIMATE OF SITE
• Ladakh is part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, located in
the northern India on the border with the Tibet Autonomous
region.
• January is the coldest month when mean minimum
temperature is about −14.4 °C
and mean maximum temperature is about −2 °C
• The highest temperatures are in July/August, with average
maximum temperature of
about 25 °C and mean minimum temperature of about 10.3
°C
• The skies are moderately clouded to overcast on some days in
the period from December to April

6. SITE MASTER PLAN
RELATED TO CLIMATE
• The campus is built on the edge of an outwash fan with granite
boulders
• Minimal soil development, low chemical weathering, absence of
vegetation.
• Close to the river Indus and its irrigated fields
• The site slopes gently to the south, providing the opportunity for a
south-facing settlement.
• The Druk White Lotus School is in direct response to the changing
climate of the site, as it is environmentally selective, taking advantage of
the beneficial effects of climate
• The master plan can be divided into four main areas: site entrance,
teaching areas, residential spine, and sports facilities.

7. MATERIALS
• Timber frames to resist seismic loads
• Steel connections and cross-bracing provide earthquake
stability.
• The structural system has been designed to take
advantage of internal walls

8. • The school uses solar energy because the electric supply to the school is
unreliable and to use the high and constant exposure of sunlight.
• Usage of solar photovoltaic panels and solar water heaters.
• A diesel generators for emergencies.
• 54 south oriented panels
• The solar scheme was audited and approved by TICOS ( Tourism Industry Carbon
Offsetting Service )
ENERGY SYSTEMS