Vikas Kumar | Architectural Design | Editorial Board Member

Mr. Vikas Kumar | Architectural Design | Editorial Board Member

PhD Student | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | India

Vikas Kumar is a researcher and emerging scholar in architecture and urban planning, currently serving as a doctoral candidate at IIT Kharagpur with expertise spanning sustainable design, resource-constrained architecture, urban systems, and spatial analysis. He has contributed academically as a teaching assistant in design studios, graphic communication, computer graphics, and building construction, and has gained professional experience through architectural and urban planning internships with industry organizations. His research focuses on sustainable architectural strategies, Jugaad-based innovations, solid waste management, and affordable housing materials, reflected in publications on bamboo panel performance, evaporative cooling technologies, Jugaad theory and application, and urban environmental management. He has also contributed to applied research projects, including housing design interventions aimed at enhancing children’s cognitive development. His academic achievements include a national-level qualifying rank in architecture and planning, multiple best-presentation awards at international conferences, and recognition for excellence in academic and co-curricular activities. In addition to his scholarly work, he has demonstrated significant leadership as captain and contingent leader in major institutional sporting championships. His combined academic contributions, professional experience, research outputs, and recognized leadership make him a distinguished candidate for award nomination. His research impact includes 1 citation across 1 document, 2 publications, and an h-index of 1.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Kumar V., Mukerji A., Exploring Jugaad in architecture: Theory and strategies for implementation in resource-constrained environments. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2025.

2. Kumar V., Mukerji A., Triggers, Mediators, and Consequences of Jugaad in Architecture Among Lower Socio-economic Groups. In: 2025.

3. Kumar V., Methodology for Proposing and Planning Solid Waste Management in a Religious City: Case of Varanasi. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2021, ISSN: 2456-2165.

Vikas Kumar’s work advances sustainable architecture and urban planning by developing resource-efficient strategies, Jugaad-based innovations, and affordable housing solutions. His research addresses real world challenges in waste management, climate-responsive design, and socially inclusive urban systems, creating practical, scalable solutions that benefit communities, industry, and the broader built environment.

Ziwei Guo | Materials and Technology in Architecture | Best Academic Researcher Award

Dr. Ziwei Guo | Materials and Technology in Architecture | Best Academic Researcher Award

Doctor | Ningxia University | China

Dr. Ziwei Guo, a distinguished researcher at Ningxia University, specializes in building materials and structural design with a focus on developing innovative structural systems that adapt to complex environments. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in structural engineering, where his research emphasizes cross-sectional, internal material, and shape optimization to enhance load-bearing capacity, ductility, and energy efficiency. Dr. Guo has contributed extensively to national and provincial research projects, playing a pivotal role in one national fund project, one provincial key fund project, and three additional provincial projects. His scholarly output includes seven publications, five of which are in SCI-indexed journals, with one earning the Excellent Paper Award in China, and he has also authored impactful works in leading journals such as Construction and Building Materials, Structural Concrete, and KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering. In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Guo has completed two major research projects, is actively engaged in three ongoing projects, and has advanced one patent in the field. His work demonstrates a commitment to integrating high-performance, sustainable building materials into modern construction practices. Recognized for his promising innovations and dedication to structural engineering, Dr. Guo continues to advance the discipline through his publications, consultancy project, and growing international collaborations, establishing himself as a rising scholar and leader in architectural and civil engineering research. 29 citations, 4 documents, h-index 3.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Pan P., Yang W., Guo Z., Improvement of thermal properties of foam concrete by incorporating silica aerogel particles. Constr. Build. Mater., 2025, 478, 141450.