Studio Nyandak won a small grant from the Tibet Fund to design and build an earthquake shake/shock table in Dharamsala. This grant is in support of our ongoing research project, Low-cost Earthquake Resilient Structures.

Our project focuses on conducting comprehensive risk assessments and developing innovative earthquake resilience interventions for key anchor institutions within Dharamsala, the heart of the India’s Tibetan exile community. Situated at the foothills of the seismically active Himalayas, Dharamsala is inherently at high risk for earthquakes due to its location near tectonic fault lines and its sloping terrain. Home to roughly 10,000 Tibetans, it serves as the central hub of the Tibetan exile community, amplifying the potential impact of seismic events.

Many essential community buildings in Dharamsala—including schools, hospitals, museums and monasteries—are non-engineered and vulnerable to seismic events. We are developing low-cost, high-impact retrofitting solutions that are locally adaptable, ensuring the safety and resilience of critical infrastructure while safeguarding the community’s cultural and social fabric.