Tenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

The centuries old designs adopted in the Karakoram and Himalayan region of Pakistan for home construction are time tested and comply with the socio-cultural settings of the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Whereas the design and material used in these homes are not in contrast to mountain geo-landscape and shortage of material, the scientific aspects of these homes pose a number of questions. The extreme weather conditions necessitate heavy use of wood energy to warm these houses that are camouflaged to maximum level to prevent escaping of heat. However, this poses threats to the inhabitants, particularly women and children who spend maximum time inside their houses in winters. Data collected in 2018 showed 17.5 percent of the inhabitants were effected by diseases of respiratory tract and lungs. The solutions introduced in this area included change in house designs to facilitate ventilation and conserve maximum heat, reduce the usage of wood energy to conserve natural forests, and facilitate stove structures to support body movements during heating and cooking. Results were satisfactory with 48% adoption percentage in effected areas.