Conclusions

Bhutanese architecture is one of the best expressions of the country giving a unique identity to the kingdom. The combination of culture and religion composed in our houses by the implementers - the traditional architects - has demonstrated the unparalleled skills and aesthetic beauty of Bhutanese architecture as manifested in the most massive Dzongs to the small houses and bridges. Traditional cornices, colours and decorative patterns on the walls, doors and windows have put Bhutanese architecture in a class of its own. Therefore it is felt that in view of contemporary architecture, it may not be practical to enforce true traditional thobthang on each and every building that will be built in the future. For example, a traditionally built building couid not incorporate Drey-zhu on the Rabsel if it was not entitled to a Jamthog or Lung-go and to have a Jamthog or Lung-go on a building one had to have special status in society. However, times have changed, buildings have progressed from three stories to five stories, from ordinary farmhouses to duplex residences, which have caused the traditional architectural permissibility to be compromised. This book is to serve as a guideline to traditional architecture and is not intended to address every problem encountered or to provide all solutions to such problems as every case varies from design to design and traditional architecture is subject to varied interpretations.