DESIGN FOR MONKS

RESTORATION OF A 16th CENTURY MONASTIC RELIC

THE NEYPHUG THEGCHEN TSEMO MONASTERY

A ZHELGNO HERITAGE PROJECT

Paro, Bhutan

This is a restoration of a 16th century relic that used to be the residence of His Eminence the Neyphug Trulku Rinpoche. It forms part of the overall Neyphug Thegchen Tsemo Monastary in Paro, Bhutan. The structure used to be a Temple and residence of the 9th Neyphug Trulku Rinpoche before it fell to become a ruin. The restoration effort was undertaken as The Zhelgno Heritage Restoration Project . Its re-construction entails the restoration of the original facade and re-purposing its interiors into a library, museum. A cafe was added to the complex catering to visitors’ needs as well as training center for local Bhutanese into the hospitality industry.

More than just a redevelopment initiative, this project helped to improved the lives of the impoverished people in Bhutan  and to provide Zhelgno villagers a convenient way to promote and sell their fresh produce.

The project also aims to educate and inspire the next generation of young engineers and architects. At the same time, it helped preserved the traditional Bhutanese architectural engineering knowledge, skills and their rich cultural heritage.

FB: YourCafe NeyphugHeritage

IG: YourCafe

WEB: Neyphug Monastery