GAREE 'TZE: by the Hearth Eco-Tourist Village in Hunza Valley

Abstract

"I would call this building traditional, that is, an overlap of knowledge, both knowledge of the old and knowledge of the new, expressed through a building which is a product of today." [Traditional Versus Contemporary Elements in Architecture - Anthony C. Antoniades] Hunza is a place with rich cultural diversity and heritage. There are many characteristics of the people, landscape and living traditions of the region which sets it apart from other tourist destinations. With the rapid increase in tourism in recent years, new space typologies are provided only serve the basic requirements for housing tourists every year, and emphasize more on the utilitarian aspects which overpower the few cultural elements that remain. It is ironic how the attractions i.e. landscapes, communal living and unique typologies, for which tourism is increasing rapidly are at risk as a result of increasing tourism. This project aims to promote sustainable tourism in the region by being an example of sustainable habitat itself in terms of social, environmental and economic sustainability. Vernacular architectural techniques are used to design this tourist village which caters to rapidly increasing tourism. The proposed architecture acts as a "healing" agency for these issues and analyzes the current conditions by offering an alternative setting where it stands to strengthen the ecosystem of the site and respecting the old tangible and intangible traditions. The proposed program in this leisure facility that not only provides sustainable solutions to generate economic growth but also establishes a link between old and present by abstraction of local elements in design. "Garee Tze - Eco-Tourist Village" is intended to be the appropriate architectural response where natural, existing qualities of landscape, vernacular elements and environment shape up the architecture into a series of educational, cultural and managerial functions all working towards a common cause- revitalization of the disturbed environment and education of the public to evoke sensitivity. It aims to emphasize on the sudden shift in the types of spaces that the locals have experienced in recent times, and make new user aware of this situation as well, to help them understand this shift and its footprint on the social and physical environment. The project is limited to sustainable economic growth, abstraction of elements in design to establish a link between old and present, the study of traditional elements and spaces, the study of vernacular building materials and techniques, and the accommodation of tourists in a local, nature intensive zone.