Dorji Yangki

Dorji Yangki is one of the first internationally trained architects from Bhutan. ^[1]

She has bachelor's and master's degrees in Architecture (1996) from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, and later studied in England, Norway, and Japan. From 2008 until 2009 she held the Loeb Fellowship ^[2] at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She also completed a Masters in Conservation of Historic Building sites at the British University of York. Yangki studied in Punakha High School in Bhutan and was the academic topper in Science with Math in the Bhutan common Examinations in Classes 8, 10 and 12.

SAARCH meeting of architects of South Asia

Yangki is the first elected female President of the Bhutan Association of Architects and the first female Chair of SAARCH (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation of Architects). Yangki is currently one of the only practicing senior female Bhutanese Principal Architects leading a private firm in Bhutan. ^[3]

Since graduating in 1996, she was appointed as the first local architect in Bhutan to work on the conservation of heritage sites in Bhutan. As the pioneering Head of the office for Conservation of Heritage Sites at the Ministry for the Home and Cultural Affairs, for over 15 years, Yangki not only helped establish the first office for the conservation of heritage sites, she also drafted the first Bhutan Guidelines for the conservation of heritage sites in Bhutan and initiated the first training workshops in this field. One of her key initiatives was also the incorporation of traditional local architectural concepts and craftsmanship into new architecture and construction in Bhutan. ^[4]

At the office she worked not only as Principal Architect but also as the project coordinator/Director in numerous projects. Some of the projects include the restoration of the famous monastery [ Paro Taktsang] (Tiger's Nest) in Bhutan after the fire of 1998, the establishment of the first Folk Heritage Museum, the renovation of the Thimphu Memorial Chorten, the Dechenphug monastery, the Trongsa Dzong fortress and the Simtokha Dzong fortress among many others. ^[5]

Some of her key new architectural design works include the design of the National Archives of Bhutan (which was the first climate controlled building in Bhutan), the Office /gallery building of the National Museum, the offices of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts, the Chukha Dzong redesign, the Pangrizampa School of Astrology, the Ugyen Pema Woedling Zangdol Palri temple at Paro, the Smithsonion Folk life Bhutanese temple, and the new Guru Rimpoche Temple at Dechenphug monastery. She also helped curate and design the first exhibitions on Bhutanese culture held outside of Bhutan in the National Museums in Delhi and Kolkata. She has also designed one of the first Bhutanese houses in the USA which has been featured in Architectural Digest ^[6] and numerous other magazines ^[7] and publications. ^[8]

Following her passion for sustainable architecture, Yangki was responsible for helping the Ministry of Works and Human Settlements of Bhutan to establish the first Guidelines for the introduction of Green Buildings in Bhutan in 2013. She was also instrumental in leading the drafting of the Bhutanese Architecture Guidelines2014, for the design of new buildings and cities in the nation. With the Royal University of Bhutan, Yangki was one of the key advisers to help set up the course for the very first degree in Architecture in Bhutan.  

Early life and family background

Yangki is from the northern eastern village of Dungkar in Kurtoed Gewog of the district of Lhuntse in Bhutan. ^[9] She was raised in a deeply rooted traditional Buddhist family in Bhutan, where spiritual values, cultural heritage, and reverence for the built environment were integral to daily life. Her maternal grandfather was Drubwang Lama Sonam Zangpo, ^[10] a master of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Buddhism, widely regarded for his spiritual teachings and contributions to Bhutanese Buddhist practices. ^[11] Her maternal grandmother, Lhaden, was the daughter of Trashigang Dzongpon Sonam Tshering, a regional governor in eastern Bhutan. This lineage shaped Yangki's appreciation for Bhutan's spiritual and cultural legacy from a young age. She is also closely connected to some of the figures in contemporary Vajrayana Buddhism. Her first cousins include Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche ^[12] and Dungse Garab Rinpoche, ^[13] both renowned Buddhist spiritual teachers. They are the sons of her mother Tshering Choki's younger sister, Jamyang Choden.^{[ citation needed ]}

Yangki's upbringing, deeply rooted in spiritual tradition and cultural heritage, profoundly influenced her later work in architecture. Her designs reflect a deep sense of cultural and environmental reverence, guided by a strong sense of human and social responsibility.^{[ citation needed ]}

Leadership and advocacy

Yangki has been active in regional architectural associations and national policy circles :

• Chair, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation of Architects (SAARCH)
• President, Bhutan Institute of Architects
• Council Member, Bhutan Accreditation Council

She was instrumental in establishing the first professional registration for architects with the Construction Development Board of Bhutan to ensure quality in the built environment of Bhutan and has worked extensively to improve the built environment industry in Bhutan and South Asia.

As a native from Bhutan, a country that follows the principle of 'GNH' or Gross National Happiness, Dorji advocates for sustainable Biophilic design and planning that has a sense of place, connects people to nature and helps to initiate happiness among people.

Lectures and publications

Yangki has spoken internationally on sustainability, heritage, and Bhutanese architecture. Notable lectures include:

• "Learning from Bhutan," National Building Museum, Washington DC (2009)
• "Culture: Pillars of Gross National Happiness," Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (2009)
• "Preservation of Heritage in Bhutan," Harvard GSD (2008)

Key publications:

• Traditional Architectural Guidelines, Ministry of Works and Human Settlements ^[14]
• Green Building Guidelines for Bhutan ^[15]
• Dzong Architecture: Sacred Fortresses of the Himalayas ^[16]
• Architectural Heritage in Bhutan, The Dragon's Gift

References

1. "Dorji Yangki. Sacred Fortresses of the Himalayas: Dzong Architecture of Bhutan". Orientations magazine. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
2. Harvard Gazette (18 September 2008). "Harvard Gazette GSD names Loeb fellows for 2008-09". The Harvard Gazette.
3. Surfaces Reporter. "Overview of Asian Architecture & Design in Wade Asia". Magzter . Retrieved 3 July 2019.
4. "Woman in the spotlight". Archived from the original on 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
5. Bartholomew, Terese Tse. Johnston, John, 1968- (2008). The dragon's gift: the sacred arts of Bhutan. Serindia Publications. ISBN   978-1-932476-35-4. OCLC   1011820995.
6. Yangzom, Tshering (2024-02-09). "Inside an Incredible Ode to Bhutanese Design in the Colorado Mountains". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
7. Schlechter, Annie (2023-11-17). "The Rocky Mountain Palace of Harmony". The World Of Interiors. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
8. shopify2006 (2025-03-10). "Bhutanese Female Architect | The Four Harmonious Friends in Tibetan Ar". Gandhanra-ART. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
9. "Kurtoe". www.lhuentse.gov.bt. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
10. "Lama Sönam Zangpo - Rigpa Wiki". www.rigpawiki.org. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
11. Dendup, Sangay (2022-01-01). "A Brief Account of Lama Sonam Zangpo Written by Sangay Dendup Dzongkhag Election Officer, Lhuenste". Academia .
12. "Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche". Khyentse Foundation. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
13. "Dungse Garab Rinpoche - Rigpa Wiki". www.rigpawiki.org. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
14. "Bhutanese Architecture Guidelines" (PDF). The Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Royal Government of Bhutan. 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
15. "Bhutan Green Building Design Guidelines" (PDF). www.moit.gov.bt. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-03-23. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
16. "Namse Bangdzo Bookstore: Dragon's Gift". www.namsebangdzo.com. Retrieved 2025-05-30.