rabsels

RABSEL
The Rabsel element in traditional Bhutanese architecture is one of the most significant and beautiful. It mainly consists of timber
frame structure with multiple windows and panels that cantilevers from the wall. “Rab” in Dzongkha means “good” and “sel” means
“clarity” and the Rabsel was thus named because it provides light and clarity into a building through its multiple window openings
and is the main visible architecture component that adds beauty and sophistication to a Bhutanese house.
The Rabsel is generally constructed with a series of vertical and horizontal timber frame components with multiple windows and
panels made either out of timber known as Soma or with Shamig which is a wattle and daub infill panel made of bamboo and mud
plaster. The Rabsel usually projects out of the main superstructure. It is supported by the cantilevering ground floor joists. The Rabsel is designed to either form as continuous frame covering the whole of the upper facade of the building or is broken into smaller bay window type of
units.

From Bhutan-Arch-Guidelines-final-2014