Located in the foothills of Mussorie, is the residential campus for the Tibet Homes Foundation that provides for 225 students that reside, study and worship in these facilities sponsored by SOS International, Vienna. Use of local materials and design elements express a Tibetan cultural identity and emphasis lays on low cost, low maintenance construction. Landscape design is integrally planned with the building. The existing mango orchard on site doubles up as a playground while other play areas are designed in wind-sheltered zones with winter sun access. The building orientation is towards the south in the direction of the slope and planning is in accordance with the terrain and micro climatic influences. Each cottage is designed to facilitate the winter sun and to cut off the cold north-east winds. The verandahs in the front of the cottages are south facing while services like toilets are provided in the north east for wind buffering. Clerestory windows are provided for solar access in the winter and for adequate ventilation during summer.    The thermal performance of the building is improved by using hollow terracotta tiles on the roof, light colored local stone on outer skin of walls and rooms are provided with solid timber board shutters on the inner face of the walls to ward off infiltration during winter nights and summer afternoons. Thus simple construction techniques are used to insulate the building at minimal cost.