Mind Mingle: Unique and Creative Schools of India 2017

Druk Padma Karpo School was named in the top ten most unique and creative schools in India.

BBC London: World’s most beautiful schools 2016

Druk Padma Karpo School was named as one of the most beautiful schools in the world.

WB Honours: Innovation in Public Washroom design in India 2015

Druk Padma Karpo School was awarded an award for most innovative washrooms.

The International Architecture in Stone Award, 2013

Druk Padma Karpo School and Arup Associates received the XIII edition of the prestigious International Architecture in Stone Award, the biennial prize celebrating the best architectural projects involving the use of stone materials.The award was received by Francesca Galeazzi on behalf of Arup Associates in Verona, Italy.

The Emirates Glass LEAF Awards, 2012

Druk Padma Karpo School and Arup Associates received the 'Best Sustainable Development' award at The Emirates Glass LEAF Awards. The award was received by Sean Macintosh on behalf of Arup Associates and by Rachel Glynn on behalf of the School.

‘Test of Time: Environmental’ Award from the British Council for School Environments, 2012

Arup Associates and Druk Padma Karpo School won the award for 'Test of Time' in the Environmental category.  BCSE is an industry organization that promotes best practice in the planning, design and construction of schools.

Design for Asia Grand Award, 2009

The excellence of Arup Associates’ design work on Druk Padma Karpo School was recognised on 4th December 2009 in Hong Kong through the presentation of a ‘Design for Asia Grand Award’. The award was accepted by His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche on behalf of the School and by Francesca Galeazzi on behalf of Arup Associates.

Award for ‘Inspiring Design - International’ from the British Council for School Environments, 2009

Arup Associates and Druk Padma Karpo School were joint-winners of an award for 'Inspiring Design' in the international category.  BCSE is an industry organization that promotes best practice in the planning, design and construction of schools. 

Sinclair Knight Merz Award, 2005

"a successful application to the European Union"

Davina Rooney was awarded the Sinclair Knight Merz Award for Achievement in Development for her work in Ladakh in 2004. Davina helped prepare a successful application to the European Union for a grant to research job opportunities for young Ladakhis and to design a more appropriate school curriculum.

BCCB - Large Consultancy Firm of the Year, 2003

"an exceptional project"

Arup was named ‘Large Consultancy Firm of the Year 2003’ for their work at the Druk Padma Karpo School. This award for international expertise, sponsored by The Times, is intended ‘to provide the maximum recognition for exceptional projects’. The award was presented by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester at a ceremony in London.

World Architecture Awards, 2002

Best Green Building

"The environmental strategy maximizes the site's solar potential"

"The environmental strategy maximizes the site's solar potential to achieve passive solar heating, natural ventilation and day lighting. The sun also powers a water pump that delivers drinkable ground water. The heavy mass of the buildings act as a thermal buffer to mitigate the variations in external temperatures. All materials are local and, where possible, from renewable sources."

Best Asian Building

"a model of appropriate and sustainable design"

"The whole project is conceived as a model of appropriate and sustainable design. Building materials are mostly indigenous to Ladakh, with careful auditing of sustainable resource supplies. There is also no imported energy. None of this is achieved by compromising the quality of the architecture or of the interior spaces, which are spacious and light filled."

Best Education Building

"Who would not want to have been educated in a school like this?"

"Who would not want to have been educated in a school like this? The teaching and play spaces area arranged around a central tree-planted courtyard that is divided up with low benches that provide outdoor seating as well as demarcating outside teaching areas. The classrooms have generous windows and are filled with light."

In addition, the simple building techniques used mean that children will easily understand how the school was constructed. It is a really legible building. Again, the jury felt this added a level of richness to the scheme"

Our award winning buildings embody the school’s ethos. 

Designed by international architects Arup, the buildings combine the best of traditional Ladakhi architecture with 21st century engineering excellence and so act as a model for appropriate, cost effective and sustainable development.

Ladakh is an area of few resources and extreme temperatures. Here are the highlights of Arup's design solutions to an extremely challenging design brief.

Key features

• Using locally available materials, which have the least impact on the environment
• Exploiting natural ventilation and passive solar heating
• Minimising energy use and emissions
• Minimising water use
• Refining and adapting traditional techniques to provide modern solutions

Progress to date

The school is being built in phases:

2001 – The Nursery and Infant courtyard opened.
2003 – First residence opened, allowing the school to accommodate children from remote areas.
2005 – The Junior School opened.
2007 – Construction of Science Laboratories and Art room started.
2008/9 – Construction of Residence 3.
2010 – A devastating mudslide swept through the school, the granite buildings stood firm, unlike local mud-brick buildings that were swept away.
2011 – Construction started on a three-metre-high, 1 kilometer-long mudslide defence wall & embankment.
2012/13 – Construction of Residence 4.
2014 – Final two secondary school classrooms were completed.
2015 – Dining Hall & Kitchen extension started.

2016 - Dining Hall & kitchen extension and dining hall latrines.

2017 - Start of the Mudslide Repair & Seismic Upgrade Programme and the first Eco Shower Building.

2018 - Seismic Upgrade & Mudslide Repair Programme. 

2019 - Seismic Upgrade & Mudslide Repair Programme, second and third Eco Shower Buildings.

2020 - Seismic Upgrade & Mudslide Repair Programme and fourth Eco Shower Building.

2021 onwards – Continuation of the Seismic Upgrade programme. Future expansion includes: classroom facilities for students aged 16-18, health centre; multi-purpose hall; new visitor centre complex; extra school offices, central library.

How to Help

Donations and investments can be made online or sending a cheque to the UK project office. You can find out more on our Donate page.