Mudbrick, Bamboo Framing & Slate Roofing

Shelter in the High Mountains

In the high valleys of Himachal Pradesh, traditional homes are built from the earth itself—walls of rammed or cobbed mud, bamboo framing, and roofs layered with hand-cut slate. Each material comes from the surrounding landscape, shaped by the climate, culture, and rhythms of mountain life. This architecture is humble yet enduring—an expression of deep ecological intelligence passed down through generations.

Through Trades Culture, students are invited to learn alongside local builders and craftspeople in the Indian Himalayas. Over several weeks, participants work hands-on with natural materials, gaining a grounded understanding of how structure, soil, and community intertwine. Beyond technique, this experience cultivates a sensitivity to place—showing how architecture can be both shelter and story, rooted in the land it stands upon.