Safeguarding living Nepali heritage through craft knowledge
2015
post-quake foundation
100%
community-owned research
Kathmandu
valley stewardship
The 2015 seismic events exposed the vulnerability of rapid, uncritical urban transformation across the Kathmandu Valley. Traditional Newar brickwork, timber tie-beams, and lime mortar systems demonstrated distinct vernacular flexibility that modern monolithic concrete structures frequently lacked.
Our institute was founded to document these vernacular techniques before they slip between generations. By recording timber joinery and stone foundations directly alongside local guthi institutions, we ensure that resilience policy succeeds only when modern engineering acknowledges historical ingenuity.
Collaboration with master carvers and masons
Research ownership remains anchored within the local communities whose built heritage is studied. We work directly with indigenous master craftspeople and guthi stewards who rebuilt vernacular courtyards after previous quakes.
Three non-negotiable commitments
Our field presence and research publications are governed by strict institutional ethics.
Non-extractive documentation
Local stewardship
Structural transparency
Research is returned directly to the community archives, ensuring local custodians retain full access and interpretive control over recorded architectural data.
Every stabilization initiative defers to the authority of indigenous guthi institutions and traditional building guilds rather than external consultants.
We publish open technical assessments combining historical vernacular methods with rigorous seismic engineering parameters for valley-wide benefit.