This complex, accommodating 60 residents, houses a Centre for education in environmental conservation and was designed to demonstrate the principles involved. Adobe walls were designed to be self-supporting, relying heavily on earth packed on the outside of the north, east and west facades, resulting in hidden buildings appearing as large termite hills, resembling the landscape, that only revealed themselves on their southern side. This side is open and light and constructed in locally procured wood and glass. The roofs of the buildings are in metallic IBR sheeting equipped with water-collection and solar-panel systems. Inside, there is natural cross ventilation from upper windows on the north to lower openings of the glazing on the southern facade.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture