Residential Building Project (RBP)

How it started

The good reputation of the LMHS draws students not only from the Padum / Pipiting area where it is located, but also from villages some of which are far away in adjacent valleys. As a result, students from these villages often cannot return home during the week, or even throughout the whole school year, and have to make ad hoc arrangements with families living near the school. This situation is obviously not satisfactory.

To overcome this situation, AaZ-CH has pledged to finance the construction, the maintenance and the operational costs of a new residential building.

Project details

The project was designed by the architects (Atelier Tanka, Toulouse, France)who were responsible for the successful completion of the new LMHS campus inaugurated in 2014, thus leveraging their experience.

This 220 sqm building will be able to:

accommodate about twenty students from the most remote villages of Zanskar in 6 roomsof 15 sqm each
offer a study place for residents and allow the organization of private courses

It will also include:

A shared kitchenof 15 sqm and two bathrooms separated from the main building, one for girls and one for boys.
A 21 sqm accommodationfor a teacher or supervisor

This project respects two principles previously applied to the new campus:

Given the high level of sunshine in Zanskar, heating will be provided by solar panels and the use of a passive solar system (orientation of the building in relation to the sun, corridor serving as a thermal airlock).
Respect anti-seismic standards to guarantee maximum safety for school children and teachers (Zanskar is located in the Himalayan zone, rated 4 out of 5 on the international risk scale)

Planning and budget

Construction of the building began in May 2017 and excavation work has already been completed. The work schedule is as follows:

2016: study and preparation of plans
2017: foundations, substructures, first phase of the reinforced concrete structure
2018: reinforced concrete framework, roofing of both wings of the building
2019: roofing of central room, installation of the floor, solar panels, windows and interior fittings
2020: first students move in for school year starting in March and official inauguration ceremony in July

Budgeted at 229’000 CHF, AaZ-CH has already received 184’700 CHF as a grant from foundations and private banks as well as from Geneva municipalities, whom we thank for their generosity.

Securing 45’000 CHF to complete the financing of this project is AaZ-CH’s major challenge for 2020

Summer 2018: the RBP project video

Eliane Serveyre, Vice-President of AaZ-France and Head of the RBP Project visited Zanskar for 7 weeks in July and August. The video below shows the progress of the work and some of the difficulties encountered.

Residential Building Project (RBP)

How it started

Project details

Planning and budget

Summer 2018: the RBP project video

Summer 2019: The RBP in pictures

This project has received support from the following communities

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