Sagarmatha Next:Year-end Update
On a recent site visit Mr. Varun Saraf and Prof. Anne Feenstra went to Syangboche to make the year-end assessment. On the way, clear blue skies revealed the majestic peaks and the helicopter pilot made an extra round above the Sagarmatha Next construction. Several yaks and dzos were roaming around in the open landscape, dotted with patches of drooping juniper. As the Interpretation Center will be the first building to be used in 2020, it was the focus of day one. Some correction work is still needed, but the spatial quality is fabulous, partly thanks to the granite curved buttresses.
The second building to be finished in 2020 will be the Workshop/Shop. Early morning on the second day, it was clear that all the design efforts to enable the Passive Solar Energy to warm up the building had paid off. The carefully chamfered granite walls allow good access for the low-angled winter sun. It was difficult to make, but together with the patient Sherpa masons we managed. This effort and investment means that in all the future years to come, the users of the Workshop will work in a comfortable, low-carbon footprint building as additional heating will be minimal.
The heroes of this project are, without any doubt, the 12 men who are still working to complete as much as possible before the winter sets in. All of them were needed to lift the truss beams of the Gallery / Cafe onto the metal base plates of the roof ring beam. In the afternoons, sometimes cloud formation from below makes for a dramatic change in visibility and temperature.
Not everything had gone well and some corrections were needed. Prof. Feenstra extended his visit to assist the building team and ensure higher quality work. He also worked in Khumjung to prepare the design for the nearly four meter high yak wool curtains which will separate the Film Salon from the Main Interpretation Area.
Read more on this project in the link below:
https://sustainablemountainarchitecture.tumblr.com/post/180790107390/as-winter-is-here-the-construction-season-has-now
https://sustainablemountainarchitecture.tumblr.com/post/173762974625/sagaramatha-next-a-dream-project-for-us-is
