1. Jan-Feb 2011

ARCHITECTURE
From the flood plains of Kali
Gandaki to the peaks of the Nilgiri
range - a serene backdrop to Lodge
Thasang Village
The Local Effect:
In the valleys of the Kaligandaki River live the ethnic
group called Thakalis. The area, also called Thak
Khola region, has a rich history in trade with Tibet,
enriching the cultural and historic significance of
the Thakali clan. Lodge Thasang Village portrays
this culture in all its uniqueness, both in terms of
the place and the experience.
The rough roads of the Kaligandaki
plains that lead to the Lodge
Thasang Village (circled) at the
overlooking hillock.
The owner, Mr. A.S. Tulachan, is a local resident of
the nearby Tukche Village, who started the lodge as
he simply wanted to stay close to his origins. As a
person who believes that the only viable economy
in Nepal is through tourism, he is interested in
helping visitors explore his unique home and in
turn, help this unique home too.
Designed by a Japanese Architect, Nariya
Kurmizawa, Lodge Thasang is a blend between
Thakali and Japanese architectural expressions
that merge in perfect harmony with the
surrounding landscape. Although the building
framework is constructed using reinforced
concrete, the materials transported all the way
from Beni on mules, the expressions are created
using the local stones and wood. Some parts of
the building have exposed concrete portraying a
modern Japanese architectural sense.
www.spacesnepal.com 40
January-February 2011