The traditional architecture of Tibet is vanishing beneath a wave of modern concrete buildings. The result, says architect and environmental planner Bill Semple, is a lost heritage that will not be easily replaced. Semple will tell the story of the changes in Tibetan architecture at a Banff Centre for Mountain Culture presentation on Thursday, May 4.

For the past decade, Semple, based in Ottawa, has examined the impact of environmental degradation on Tibetan culture and architecture. In 1998, he received a Banff Centre for Mountain Culture grant to support his research.

Traditional Tibetan buildings incorporate exterior stone and earth walls with a post and beam interior, often elaborately carved. "Throughout the Himalayan region, and in many parts of Tibet, lack of wood as a result of deforestation has become the most dominant reason for the disappearance of traditional architecture and building skills," Semple points out. As a result, imported materials, mainly concrete and metal roofing, replace local materials, even for the rebuilding of the monasteries that are central to Tibetan cultural life.

In Tibet, it is estimated that as few as 50 of the original 6000 monasteries were left standing by the end of the Cultural Revolution in China. While a number of these monasteries have been reconstructed over the last several years, the loss of traditional building skills in many areas and the lack of natural resources means much of their rich architectural detailing has been difficult to reproduce.

Semple hopes that some of these trends can be reversed. "I'm working to help establish forestry management practices that will ensure that traditional building materials are available and to develop new building designs that will incorporate traditional building methods." Semple is currently working on the design of several buildings for the Qomolangma (Everest) Nature Preserve. One is a combination guesthouse and administration building that will be located a few kilometres from Everest base camp. "The design I am proposing will use local materials, local builders and traditional Tibetan detailing, while meeting the needs of western visitors," he says.

Semple's presentation on Tibetan architecture takes place Thursday, May 4, at 8:00 pm at the Max Bell Auditorium. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased in advance by calling The Banff Centre Box Office at 403-762-6301, or at the door.

The CMC Grant Program supports projects that creatively interpret the environment, natural history, human heritage, arts, philosophy, lifestyle, and adventure, in and of the mountains. Applications are available by calling 403-762-6369 or e-mail to patsy_murphy@banffcentre.ca. The deadline for this year’s submissions is June 30, 2000.