The valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are beautiful and demanding places to build. Winters are long, materials must be carried far, and the region lies in an active seismic zone.
Keep the plan simple
Compact, symmetrical plans with regular walls behave better in an earthquake than complicated shapes. Large openings should be limited and well framed.
Keep the roof light
Heavy roofs put most of the risk at the top of the building. Timber roofs that are properly tied to the walls, and light insulating layers, reduce the load and keep the interior warm.
Tie everything together
Traditional timber-laced stone walls and modern concrete bands follow the same idea: bind the building so that it moves as one. Any building in a seismic zone should be reviewed by a qualified structural engineer.