Nepali Project
In 2015, the Architecture, Design, and Geoinformatics departments of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, in partnership with Mirador e.V., realized a design-build project as part of the international UNITY program. The initiative focused on planning, financing, and constructing a community and training center at Shree Jagadamba Higher Secondary School in Thakurdwara, Bardia District, western Nepal.
The project responded to critical educational challenges in Nepal, where many children—particularly from the indigenous Tharu community—have limited access to quality schooling and vocational training. Serving around 1,200 students, the school acts as a regional educational hub, offering teacher training and community programs with an emphasis on health and environmental awareness.
By creating new spaces for practical skill development and community engagement, the project aimed to improve educational outcomes and future prospects for disadvantaged youth, while fostering intercultural exchange and social responsibility among participating students from Germany.
Images and Plans
Technical Description
The Community and Training Center at Shree Jagadamba Higher Secondary School in Thakurdwara, Nepal, was designed and built by an interdisciplinary team from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences between 2013 and 2015. The project addressed urgent educational and social needs by creating a multifunctional, single-story building for vocational workshops, performances, and community gatherings, tailored to local climate, materials, and building traditions.
Spanning 163.5 m² of gross floor area, the center offers flexible spaces that enhance the school's regional role as an educational leader. The design process emphasized sustainability, earthquake resistance, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring long-term usability and maintenance by the local community.
The project unfolded in two phases: a 13-month planning phase involving research, design, and local partnerships, and a four-month construction phase where 20 students worked hands-on with local craftsmen. The building’s resilience was proven when it withstood Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake.
With a total budget of €69,697.56—financed through university support, student contributions, grants, donations, and fundraising—the project exemplified strong community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. Supervised by Prof. Dr. Claus Dießenbacher and coordinated by Michael Bieler, the team collaborated closely with Mirador e.V. and Nepalhilfe Beilngries, integrating development expertise and ensuring sustainable impact. The project stands as a model for socially engaged, practice-oriented architectural education and international cooperation.