Running head: BHUTAN INSPIRED ARCHITECTURE

Bhutan Inspired Architecture at the University of Texas at El Paso: A Review of Literature

Crista V. Mack
University of Texas at El Paso

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Abstract

Nestled amongst the foothills of the Franklin Mountains in El Paso, Texas, the University
of Texas at El Paso arouses awe and curiosity as its striking one-of-a-kind architecture dominates
the surrounding mountainous terrain. In 1914, the school was founded as The Texas State
School of Mines and Metallurgy and commenced its first academic semester with 21 students
enrolled in the school. An Unfortunate event unfolded two years after opening its doors to
students, prompting for the schools relocation and new construction. In 1917, new construction
was launched on its new site. The buildings were modeled after and erected in Bhutanese styled
architecture, unlike any seen in the United States before. The purpose of this literary review is to
define what events inspired the universitys innovative architecture, focus on any religious
controversies stemming from religious artifacts or symbolisms adorned on buildings, concentrate
on consequences, if any, regarding Bhutan performances held on campus, and lastly explore the
relationship between Bhutan and the University of Texas at El Paso.

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Bhutan Inspired Architecture at the University of Texas at El Paso: A Review of Literature

Hollingsed conveyed (2012) the University of Texas at El Paso was originally known as
The Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy. It was relocated and rebuilt after a
catastrophic fire in 1916 destroyed the Main Building on the campus (p. 1). Walker (2001)
recapped this disastrous event (p. 15) and added that the schools dean, Steven Worrell, secured
emergency funds via the 35th legislature and initiated the schools reconstruction (p. 1, p.15).
Walker (2001) stated the buildings were modeled after and erected in Bhutanese styled
architecture, unlike any seen in the United States before (p.15).
In 1918, the school was reopened and continued to expand its campus as well as its
student population. According to the 2014/2015 UTEP Facts Brochure (2014), since its
reopening, the universitys enrollment has grown to over 23,000 students studying various
undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees (p.1). Although the university is located in close
proximity of the Unites States-Mexico border, foreign cultural elements and distinct Bhutanese
architectural designs are present throughout the campus. At first glance, the presence of these
components seems irrelevant and out of place in a university located in the heartland of El Paso,
Texas. To better understand the relevance of the cultural aspects and unique architecture
requires further investigation and review of the following four questions:
1. Why is the University of Texas at El Paso campus modeled after Bhutanese architecture?
2. How were the ties between the University of Texas at El Paso developed and how has the
relationship evolved over time?
3. Who was the architect of the original campus buildings?

4. Is the surrounding community concerned of any religious implications stemming from the
relationship between the university and Bhutan?

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The aforementioned questions will taper the intention of this review and shed light on the
inspiration for universitys architecture, provide insight on the universitys ties to Bhutan,
discover who constructed the original buildings, and explore any controversies regarding
religion.
Why is the University of Texas at El Paso campus modeled after Bhutanese architecture?
Numerous factors contributed in the creation of the universitys architectural designs. In
their work, Walker (2001) and Erekson (2013) came across the inspiration for what was to
become the new university (p 1, p.4). Walker (2001) and Erekson (2013) both stated Kathleen
Worrell, wife of Dean Steven Worrell, noticed terrain similarities between Bhutan and the
foothills of Mt Frankiln while reading a 1914 National Geographic article titled, Castles in the
Air: Experiences and Journeys in Unknown Bhutan, written by John Claude White (p. 1, p. 4).
The article contained 74 photographs depicting terrain similar to the Franklin Mountains of El
Paso with buildings fitted perfectly on the rugged grounds. The following photograph was just
one of many photographs that stimulated K. Worrell with a new vision for the universitys
campus.
Figure 1. The Fortress of Dug-Gye

Source: National Geographic, Castles in the Air: Experiences and Journeys in Unknown Bhutan
Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.utep.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=utep_add_items

White (1914) emphasized it was impossible to find words to express adequately the wonderful
beauty and variety of scenery (p. 369). White (1914) concluded the best way to provide readers

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with an idea of what he saw was through the depiction of photographs (p.369). Dompnier (1999)
also related Bhutans architecture, land scape, and the Bhutanese way of life was best captured in
photographs (p. ). As relayed by Acosta (2014), K. Worrell expressed her initiatives to her
husband who in turn consulted with architect firm Gibson & Robertsons to acquire sketches,
architect firm Trost & Trost to derive plans, and Edward Kneezell to oversee the massive project
(p.1). With all components in place, construction began and buildings were raised modeled after
architecture found in Bhutan.
How were the ties between the University of Texas at El Paso developed and how has the
relationship evolved over time?
Several events initiated the relationship and lead to the evolution of the bond between the
two distinct entities. Crawford stated (2014), The University of El Paso at Texas first integrated
its Bhutanese architectural design element in 1917 as campus buildings were erected (p.1).
Crawford further stated (2014), it wasnt until half a century after the completion of the original
campus buildings did the bond between the university and the distant Kingdom of Bhutan began
to evolve into a strong and jointly beneficial relationship that proves valuable to this day (p.1).
The Herald Post reported (1973) that Dale Walker, a university faculty member, initiated
correspondence with Bhutan in an attempt to obtain commentaries regarding the universitys
architecture. Much to his avail, he received a letter from a member of the Bhutanese royal
family, more specifically, Her Majesty Queen Ashi Kesang Wangchuck, stating, I wish the new
buildings in Bhutan could be so finely built (p. 14). This correspondence was important as an
official relationship was established with Bhutan and as disclosed by Vierra, Erekson, and
Crawford (2014), resulted in the arrival and enrollment of many Bhutanese students studying
various degrees (p. 1). According to both Crawford (2014) and The Prospector (2005), the

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university celebrated the fact that its architecture was modeled after Bhutan villages and
monasteries. The university honored Bhutanese tradition and history throughout the years by
commemorating this partnership via means of hosting regular celebrations know as Bhutan days,
a festival that invites Bhutan archers, dancers, artist, and musicians to the university campus (p.
1, p. 7).
Who was the architect of the original campus buildings?
A number of architect firms were responsible for the construction of the original campus
buildings. At first glance, architect firm Trost & Trost appeared solely in charge of the design,
planning and construction of the earliest buildings (Vierra, 2014). Upon further inspection,
Vierra (2014) discovered more than one architect firm collaborated on the final project. He
determined three architectural firms, Trost & Trost, Gibson & Robertson, and Edward Kneezell
worked jointly in contributing to the rise of the original buildings (p.1). Acosta (2014)
corroborated the findings when she elaborated that Trost & Trost based their design sketches on
sketches that were purchased from Gibson & Robertson, a competing firm (p.1). Although both
Vierra and Acosta (2014) agree on this matter, Vierra (2014) went on to explain that initially
Dean Worrell approved of sketches created by Gibson & Robertson of which depicted Bhutanese
styled buildings, yet still they were not hired for the project (p.1). According to Vierra (2014),
architect firm Trost & Trosts were hired to undertake the massive project, however, Worrell
rejected their sketches for lack of Bhutanese architectural design. Rights to the sketches
produced by Gibson & Robertson were bought and provided to Trost & Trost. Only then did
Trost & Trost generate sketches resembling Bhutanese styled buildings, of which Worrell
subsequently approved of (p. 1). Vierra (2014) further explained that Edward Kneezell was
hired to oversee the construction (p.1).

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Is the surrounding community concerned of any religious implications stemming from the
relationship between the university and Bhutan?
Positive or negative, consequences resulting from the relationship between the university
and Bhutan exists. Head of Special Collections, Claudia Rivers, related that there were no
negative consequences resulting from the ongoing relationship amongst the university and
Bhutan. She stated that overall, the student body, faculty members, and the surrounding
community alike appreciated the culture, traditions, and rituals presented to us by virtue of the
relationship between the university and Bhutan. Rivers confidently expressed it provided a
positive influence on students, as it exposed them to cultures other than their own and offered
insight into the origins of the universitys architecture. Rivers had no objections to the amount
of Bhutanese artifacts displayed throughout the university campus (C. Rivers, personal
communication, October 15, 2014).
Over time, the Kingdom of Bhutan has graciously gifted the campus with a Bhutanese
alter, a prayer wheel, and various tapestries. Television news broadcast, ABC 7 KVIA (2011)
revealed that a more recent addition soon to arrive is a Bhutanese temple that was displayed
during a Folk Life festival in Washington D.C. While it has become common to dismiss these
artifacts as cultural and educational items, some members of the surrounding community,
according to ABC 7 KVIA (2011), have responded negatively to the accumulation of Buddhist
artifacts. ABC 7 KVIA (2011) reported an unidentified, self-proclaimed follower of Christianity
was unhappy with the display of foreign religious artifacts, while other religions seemed bound
by a stricter implementation of separation of church and state. Several citizens emphasized the
university was an educational institution, not a religious one and criticized the university for lack
thereof a secular environment. ABC 7 KVIA (2011) further reported that Executive Vice

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President Richard Adauto stated the ties between Bhutan and the university was cultural, not
religious and the artifacts along with the architecture provided a cultural aspect to the university.
Adauto contended that no one was asking anyone to practice anything. On the other hand, ABC
7 KVIA (2011) conveyed quite a few community members look forward to the arrival of the
temple and argue that religious controversies have never before arisen, although the university
has displayed Bhutanese architecture for 100 years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this literary review has analyzed material sufficient to answer many
questions regarding the inspiration of the architectural design found in the University of Texas at
El Paso, the relationship between the university and the Kingdom of Bhutan, who was
responsible for the construction project, and if any religious controversies stemmed from the
relationship between the two entities. The connection amid the University and Bhutan is directly
associated to Kathleen Worrells discovery of John Claude Whites photographs taken of
Bhutan. It was her inspiration that encouraged the push for the new design upon reconstruction
after the fire. In due course, the connection grew stronger as Bhutan and the university began
corresponding and hosting celebrations in an effort to impart culture. Although architect firm
Trost & Trost is most credited with producing original designs and single handedly constructing
the campus buildings, it was found that several forces teamed together to accomplish this
undertaking. Even though several members of the surrounding community condemn the display
of religious artifacts, it is evident that quite a few members to include university staff appreciate
the cultural diversity the artifacts bring. Nonetheless, the universitys architectural history is
undisputedly interesting as many components knowingly or not, collaborated in the creation of
the one of a kind university know as the University of Texas at El Paso.

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References

Acosta, L. (2014). Architecture tours offer insight into uteps bhutanese style. Retrieved from
news.utep.edu/?p=1307
ABC 7 KVIA. (2011, November 12). Architecture sparks religious controversy [Video file].
Retrieved from http://www.kvia.com/news/ABC-7-Listens-Architecture-SparksReligious-Controversy/15271902.
Crawford, J., & Special to the Times. (2014). Jenn crawford: uteps connection to bhutan is a
special relationship. El Paso Times, p1. Retrieved October 20, 2014, from
http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_26398869/uteps-connection-bhutan-is-specialrelationship.

Dompnier, R. (1999). Bhutan: Kingdom of the dragon (1st ed.). Boston: Shambhala.

Erekson, K. (2013). Layers of history at the university of texas at el paso. Retrieved from
http://academics.utep.edu/portals/1719/publications/layers%2of%history.pdf.

Hollingsed, L. (2012). First campus of texas state school of mines and metallurgy. Retrieved
from http://www.transformations.utep.edu/?p=562.

Utep architecture described in story. (1973, March 19). The Herald Post, p 14. Retrieved from
http://0-access.newspaperarchive.com.lib.utep.edu/us/texas/el-paso/el-paso-heraldpost/1973/03-19/page14?tag=bhutan&rtserp=tags/bhutan?pc=8678&psi=94&pci=7&pt=15975&psb=relavance&
ndt=by&py=1970&pey=1979

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More than 1,500 to attend Bhutan days. (2005, March 30). The Prospector, p. 7.

Walker, D. (2001). Shangri-la on the border: The bhutanese architecture of the university of
texas at el paso. El Paso, Tex.: University of Texas at El Paso, University Communications.

White, J. C., & National Geographic Society. (1914). Castles in the air: experiences and
journeys in unknown bhutan. Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C: National Geographic
Society; National Geographic Society.
UTEPs Office of University Communications. (2014). 2014/2015 utep facts brochure.
Retrieved from http://universitycommunications.utep.edu/facts/index.html.

Vierra, J., P., Erekson, K., & Crawford, J. (2014). Bhutan. Retrieved from
http://encyclopedia.utep.edu/index.php/bhutan.

Vierra, J., P. (2014). The architect controversy. Retrieved from

http://encyclopedia.utep.edu/index.php/The_Architect_Controversy