Inside Wangchuk’s Ladakh home: A mud house that stays warm without heaters in winters

Sonam Wangchuk, the engineer, educator, and innovator who emerged as a leading figure in the CJP-led student protest, has been released from Medanta Hospital after weeks of treatment. Taking to video shortly after his discharge, he announced plans to first stop at Rajghat to honor Mahatma Gandhi, before returning to his home in Ladakh. His hospital admission followed a 26-day hunger strike he carried out as part of the CJP protest, one aimed at pushing for comprehensive examination reforms and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a series of paper leak controversies.Sonam Wangchuk's sustainable mud home in LadakhAccording to Indian Express, roughly three years ago, Wangchuk took viewers on a tour of his sustainable Ladakh home in a video featuring Tribal Girl. Free of any concrete, the house is built from mud, blending traditional, centuries-old construction methods with modern interiors and eco-conscious design touches. Wangchuk has a soft spot for calling it his "tribal house," inspired by the very material used to build it. “We often give up on traditional ways of making homes. Mud houses are now almost unheard of. However, I have kept the best of both worlds. I have adopted what was good in the past and enhanced it with today’s technology,” he said.Sonam Wangchuk on tradition and passive solar heatingEven with modern furniture inside, the interiors stay firmly connected to Ladakhi tradition. He explained, "They are all low seating, connected to our tradition. Usually, people in Ladakh like to sit like this." The mud walls also serve a functional purpose, keeping the home naturally cool through the summer months. Come winter, rather than depending on firewood, Wangchuk relies on passive solar technology for warmth. He described how one particular wall — the "black wall" — has water bottles built into it, which absorb heat from the winter sun throughout the day and slowly release that warmth into the house once the sun goes down. As he put it, "While the walls, windows and glass are modern, the technology used is traditional."Sonam Wangchuk's kitchen and waterless washroom designThe home showcases a wooden roof, mud walls, and modern interiors that work in harmony with its overall sustainable design. This same philosophy, blending tradition with contemporary living, extends into the kitchen as well. Designed as an open space with an adjoining dining table, the layout was guided by one simple idea: "The idea was to ensure the cook never feels isolated," he said. Wangchuk has also incorporated traditional, waterless sanitation methods in the washroom, doing away with water entirely and instead systematically collecting human waste to be composted and used as fertiliser.Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike and its outcomeOn June 28, Wangchuk took the CJP-led student protest to a new level by announcing he would go on an indefinite hunger strike. He said he would not stop until the Education Minister resigned and real changes were made to the examination system. After going 26 days without food, he ended his fast on Thursday. This happened in front of BJP president JP Nadda, after he was promised that his main demands would be met.Since then, Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his post as Education Minister. The government has also set up a special fast-track court to quickly handle paper leak cases. Along with this, a task force has been formed to suggest ways to make the country's examination system stronger and better.Sonam Wangchuk's link to 3 Idiots' RanchoPrior to this recent wave of protest, Sonam Wangchuk was primarily recognized as the real-life inspiration behind Rancho, the beloved character from ‘3 Idiots’. For years, the film's makers insisted they had no knowledge of Wangchuk while crafting the story, a claim that has faced scrutiny, particularly given that Aamir Khan reportedly crossed paths with Wangchuk at a Mumbai award function months before filming began. Curiously, Wangchuk himself has never been particularly keen on being tied to the blockbuster. He's shared in the past that following the film's release, he reached out to the makers highlighting the parallels between his own life and the character, but never got a reply.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!