The Kingdom of Bhutan, known as “the happiest country,” is particularly committed to the protection and continuance of its traditional culture, and has been identified traditional farmhouses scattered in beautiful rich nature as the essence of its cultural landscape. On the other hand, many old farmhouses are being demolished rapidly in the recent adverse social circumstance with reforming people’s consciousness, such as a demand for a modern living environment, anxiety about seismic resistance, and daily improvement life. The Royal Government of Bhutan aims to enact a new Cultural Heritage Bill, which intends to protect historic buildings and the environment, including traditional farmhouses. Based on past achievements of cooperation projects between Bhutan and Japan and of experiences on heritage conservation of our country, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) has supported the promotion of appropriate conservation and spontaneous/sustainable development of Bhutanese significant historic buildings in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development (DCDD), Ministry of Home Affairs.
PUBLICATION
- 2024 Preliminary Report of Architectural Survey for the Conservation of Traditional Masonry Houses in Bhutan, Spring published in March 2026
- 2023 Preliminary Report of Architectural Survey for the Conservation of Traditional Masonry Houses in Bhutan, Autumn published in March 2025
- 2023 Preliminary Report of Architectural Survey for the Conservation of Traditional Masonry Houses in Bhutan, Spring published in March 2024
- Preliminary Report of Pilot Survey for the Conservation of Traditional Masonry Houses in Bhutan published in March 2023
- VERNACULAR HOUSES in Bhutan, Central Western Area - Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Haa - published in March 2022
- Understanding Our Heritage / Pema Visits A Rammed Earth House published in March 2022
- Networking Core Centres for International Cooperation on Conservation of Cultural Heritage Project "Conservation and Utilisation of Historic Buildings in Bhutan" - Examination of Restoration Plan and Utilisation Plan of Farmhouses - Examination of Value Evaluation of Farmhouses as Cultural Heritage - published in March 2020
BUDGET
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Networking Core Centers for International Cooperation on Conservation of Cultural Heritage Project, entrusted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
LINK
Ministry of Home Affairs (Bhutan)