The Rupgao project exemplifies a research-driven approach to architecture, characterized by a
comprehensive and systematic study initiated upon receiving the commission. This study aimed to
thoroughly examine the architectural site and its surrounding context. The research encompassed an
array of structures, ranging from traditional mud houses and bamboo dwellings to hybrid bamboo-mud
constructions, as well as buildings incorporating locally sourced precast columns. Each element was
meticulously analyzed with a focus on the availability and sourcing of raw materials from the
surrounding area, the distance required to procure these materials, and the expertise of local artisans.
Critical considerations included the environmental impact, material re-usability, and the implications of
relocating these resources.
The proposed site was approximately nine feet below road level, prompting a detailed evaluation of the
decision to fill the site. The potential consequences of this action, such as an increased carbon footprint
and the displacement of an equivalent volume of earth elsewhere, were carefully assessed. Significant
emphasis was placed on minimizing harm to microorganisms, grass, and trees at the construction site.
The selection of materials was driven by the need for an environmentally friendly structure capable of
withstanding floods and heavy rainfall. The design ensured that natural materials were elevated above

the ground to prevent rot, while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Each material underwent pre-
processing to determine its optimal placement and functionality within the structure.

The challenges presented by this project were complex, involving collaboration with multiple
stakeholders, including artisans, local residents, and various levels of management. The construction of
a two-story structure combining mud and bamboo posed significant difficulties. Ensuring the necessary
structural integrity to support a suspended earthen double floor within a reinforced bamboo framework

required careful planning and execution. Additionally, the eco-friendly structure’s plinth level was
slightly elevated above the ground to protect it from soil erosion, water damage, and other natural
calamities.
The Rupgao site featured a relatively long north-south orientation, while being narrow in the east-west
direction. The existing site measured 192 feet in length, 95 feet in width, and 9 feet in depth. The
structure itself has a footprint of 185 feet in length and 22 feet in width, with a double-floor design. The
upper level includes an office for administrative tasks, seven versatile classrooms (four of which also
serve as accommodations), and a library that doubles as a meditation area. The lower floor comprises a
display center, a multipurpose space/seminar hall, a dining nook with a kitchen, and a room for service
staff or caretakers. The front ramp was designed to provide universal access for individuals with
disabilities. Additionally, a secondary universal ramp or staircase can be added to the lower side of the
west corridor in the future, as needed, without compromising the original structure or design.
To maintain the authenticity and traditional craftsmanship of the structure, the project team consciously
avoided the use of iron nails, pins in the construction of the reinforced bamboo-mud mixture up to the
second-floor level. Instead, the entire framework was meticulously assembled and bound by skilled
craftsmen using locally sourced ropes made from reusable plastic, thereby minimizing plastic waste and
its impact on the ecosystem. The reinforced bamboo-mud mixture floor is not only Eco-friendly but also
provides excellent insulation, creating a comfortable interior environment.