Abstract:

Traditional building and craftsmanship have evolved over time in distinct ways across geographically disparate regions. This paper presents the results of an international collaborative educational project established between the Architecture, Heritage and Management for Sustainable Development Research Centre (Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain) and the Abari studio (Nepal) in 2025. The primary objective of this initiative was to foster mutual learning and the transfer of traditional construction knowledge—specifically regarding rammed earth and hot-mixed lime stabilization—optimizing these techniques for contemporary application in diverse geographical contexts. The methodology was based on a series of practical, on-site workshops held in Valencia, attended by specialists from both organizations. The sessions focused on the exchange of specific technological solutions: The UPV team demonstrated the traditional hot-mixed slaking of lime, addressing moisture-related issues in the process previously carried out by the Abari studio. Meanwhile, the Nepalese partners shared their expertise in seismic reinforcement for rammed earth structures using bamboo, plastic mesh and steel, as well as natural waterproofing methods using casein and borax. A distinct and innovative feature of this educational framework was the immediate transmission and validation of trades at a distance. Simultaneous to the training in Spain, the team in Nepal remotely replicated the hot-lime slaking process in their local facilities, successfully verifying the technique's adaptability and material results in real-time. This parallel execution demonstrated the efficacy of the collaborative model for vocational training across borders. The results confirm that this hybrid approach of physical workshops and remote replication enhances the preservation of intangible heritage and provides resilient, replicable construction solutions for developing regions.

Keywords:

Collaborative learning, knowledge transfer, international cooperation, earth construction.