NEPAL SEVA SCHOOL, 2025
BAGMATI, NEPAL
Replicable, Monsoon & Earthquake-Resilient School Prototype in Service Of Rural Communities In Nepal
Seva School’s incremental concept allows for the gradual expansion of both its programme and its social value to the wider community, as a key asset for disaster resilience and cohesion. The core stage focuses on establishing a primary courtyard space, encircled by classrooms and the central multi-purpose hall. Additional construction of building modules allows the school to expand across the plot, forming more courtyards to accommodate the school’s different ages, as well as adding the canteen and community orchard space – which builds on the school’s potential for bringing local people together through food growing and preparation. The school further expands to add additional classroom capacity, as well as an on-site infirmary that may form an integral part of local health and wellbeing, especially during disasters. The school increasingly looks to serve its local community beyond only providing education, allowing Karmayog Foundation to continue its mission of selfless service (Seva).
In terms of construction and resilience, the school’s raised building modules use Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEBs) as the core structure, forming both envelope walls as well as reinforcing buttress walls that aim to protect each building against ground shaking during earthquakes. Earthbag foundations strongly root the building modules to the ground, providing further seismic resilience. Each module also uses a standard set of truss structures made from bamboo, a common and durable material found in rural areas which can be regrown and replaced with ease. These material strategies prioritise the ability to fabricate components on-site with local skills and resources, building local knowledge and resilience. The modules are planned according to a flexible structural grid, allowing the school to incrementally build spaces based on local need and funding availability.
COLLABORATORS:
Karmayog Foundation
STATUS:
Proposed / Awaiting Funding






















NEPAL SEVA SCHOOL, 2025
BAGMATI, NEPAL
Replicable, Monsoon & Earthquake-Resilient School Prototype in Service Of Rural Communities In Nepal
Seva School’s incremental concept allows for the gradual expansion of both its programme and its social value to the wider community, as a key asset for disaster resilience and cohesion. The core stage focuses on establishing a primary courtyard space, encircled by classrooms and the central multi-purpose hall. Additional construction of building modules allows the school to expand across the plot, forming more courtyards to accommodate the school’s different ages, as well as adding the canteen and community orchard space – which builds on the school’s potential for bringing local people together through food growing and preparation. The school further expands to add additional classroom capacity, as well as an on-site infirmary that may form an integral part of local health and wellbeing, especially during disasters. The school increasingly looks to serve its local community beyond only providing education, allowing Karmayog Foundation to continue its mission of selfless service (Seva).
In terms of construction and resilience, the school’s raised building modules use Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEBs) as the core structure, forming both envelope walls as well as reinforcing buttress walls that aim to protect each building against ground shaking during earthquakes. Earthbag foundations strongly root the building modules to the ground, providing further seismic resilience. Each module also uses a standard set of truss structures made from bamboo, a common and durable material found in rural areas which can be regrown and replaced with ease. These material strategies prioritise the ability to fabricate components on-site with local skills and resources, building local knowledge and resilience. The modules are planned according to a flexible structural grid, allowing the school to incrementally build spaces based on local need and funding availability.
COLLABORATORS:
Karmayog Foundation
STATUS:
Proposed / Awaiting Funding





















