Abstract ID: 3.13785 | Accepted as Poster | Talk | TBA | TBA

This paper refocuses on the integration of contemporary engineering advancement with ancestral building techniques namely the Dhajji Diwari method a native practice of the Himalayan region. To delve into the study intrinsically the case of “North” a sustainable living community and research center in Naggar, Himachal Pradesh is employed. To understand this dynamic reciprocal formation of community and environment the concept of grounded imaginaries is operated through which the community becomes a proactive agent of change. North’s sustainable housing solutions blend the traditional techniques of Dhajji Dewari and Kath-Kuni, proposing environmentally conscious options. Dhajji Dewari’s “patchwork quilt wall” construction, utilizing local materials like Deodar/Kali wood and slate, echoes the alternative temporality and materiality to talk about ecological footprints and resilience to earthquakes, particularly in disaster-prone areas. Rather than imposing external solutions that may not suit local contexts, communities leverage their strengths and resources to innovate. This involves adapting technology to local conditions or revitalizing traditional practices with a modern twist. This visionary approach by “North” exemplifies the integration of low-impact structures, the promotion of indigenous craftsmanship, and permaculture, addressing several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With such a critical lens this paper tries to capture how grounded imaginaries encourage innovation that operates within local constraints where the agency of the community becomes indispensable. Grounded imaginaries push us to think about how, when, and why solutions should be place-rooted and context-specific. Thus, the question on what forms of traditional knowledge be systematically incorporated into contemporary practices? How can these practices be adapted and applied to other regions with varying contextual factors? become critically important. Moreover, this breakdown contributes to the academic literature on glocalization and what the Dhajji Diwari method orients us to think about the reciprocity of environment, community, and culture.