2015

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Dolakha、Nepal

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This Charikot Veneer House is a single family home prototype built in Charikot, Dolakha, a part of Nepal severely damaged by earthquakes in 2015. Traditionally, Nepali construction replies on brick and masonry walls. These structures are heavy and inflexible which can lead to disastrous result, as seen in the recent earthquake. Conversely, the Veneer House employs a lightweight and flexible structural frame which is suitable for seismically active regions.
To create the Charikot Veneer House, The Kobayashi Lab and Keio University partnered with Dolakha Plywood Inc., a plywood manufacturer based in Charikot. Sourcing materials locally allowed project stakeholders and the local community to participate during the development and the construction process.
This home prototype is only the beginning of what could be a significant contribution to the reconstruction and recovery of Nepal in the wake of the recent disaster. Through Veneer House, an architecture that not only merges with the local environment, but more importantly, create a bond with the local people and people that living in this house.