Bhutan is a small mountainous country enshrined in the Himalaya’s, and leads the way in the pursuit of holistic, inclusive and truly environmentally sustainable development. Sustainability has been incorporated into the country’s national identity. Bhutan is noted for pioneering the concept of “Gross National Happiness.” King Jigme Singye Wangchuck based the Gross National Happiness Index on four pillars: 1) sustainable development, 2) environmental protection, 3) cultural preservation, and 4) good governance. His goal is to create a carbon neutral country, while encouraging modern development. This means that the government strives towards equitable socio-economic development along with the preservation of historic and sacred sites. The success of this approach has made Bhutan a leader in economic freedom, per capita income, and one of the least corrupt countries in Asia. This paper seeks to document various Initiatives that support the culture of Gross National Happiness, and access the relationship between historic vernacular architecture, cultural values, and sustainability. There are only a few global destinations that allow for a full immersion within a true sustainable culture. Bhutan seeks to achieve a level of societal contentment coupled with a non-technical approach to eco living with nature. While centuries old structures are actively preserved and revitalized, modern necessities bare down on historic urban neighborhoods. As such, the current monarchy has embraced design regulations that promote a critical regionalist methodology to architecture and development. This research assesses how the concept of “Gross National Happiness,” serves to inform contemporary Bhutanese architecture, urban development, and environmental conservation.
Dr. Theodore Sawruk received his Bachelors of Architecture from Carnegie-Mellon University, his Graduate Diploma in Architectural History and Theory from the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London England, and his Doctorate in Education from the University of Hartford. Professor Sawruk is a full-time academic with the University of Hartford, Department of Architecture, teaching design, theory, and history courses, He has previously presented papers on topics related to architecture preservation, building sustainability, and architecture education.