Vikas Kumar | Architectural Design | Editorial Board Member

Published on by Architecture Engineers

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.

Mr Xiaoru Zhou | Acoustics and Lighting Design | Excellence in Research Award

Published on by Architecture Engineers

Mr. Xiaoru Zhou | Acoustics and Lighting Design | Excellence in Research Award

Xiaoru Zhou | Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP | Germany

Mr. Xiaoru Zhou is a Diplom-Physicist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics in Stuttgart, specializing in room and building acoustics, vibration isolation, and sustainable absorber development. He earned his Diploma in Physics from Nanjing University with a focus on acoustics and vibration. His professional career spans leading institutions such as the Design Institute of the Ministry of Radio, Film, and Television in Beijing; the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics in Stuttgart; the Acoustics Office Szynajovsky in Frankfurt; and Pilchner Schoustal International in Toronto. Throughout his career, Mr. Zhou has contributed to numerous national and international projects involving acoustic design for studios, cinemas, and free-field rooms, and has developed advanced acoustic software and fiber-free, eco-friendly absorbers. He has supervised diploma students, supported license partnerships, and provided consultancy for renowned clients across Germany, China, Korea, and Canada. Mr. Zhou’s research has resulted in multiple publications on sound propagation, layered absorber design, and noise reduction methods presented at major international acoustics conferences. He is an active member of the Acoustical Society of China, the German Acoustical Society (DEGA), and the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). Recognized for his technical leadership and interdisciplinary expertise, Mr. Zhou continues to advance the science of building acoustics through innovation, applied research, and professional collaboration. His academic record includes 146 citations from 137 documents, 10 published papers, and an h-index of 6.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Zhou X., Akustik für den Denkmalschutz – Maßnahmen, Planung und Validierung an drei Reallaboren. Build. Acoustics J., 2025, Accepted.

Guodan Liu | Environmental Design | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Guodan Liu | Environmental Design | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Qingdao University of Technology | China

Professor Guodan Liu, a distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Qingdao University of Technology, is a leading scholar in sustainable energy solutions and building technology. He earned advanced degrees specializing in energy and thermal environments, shaping his expertise in new energy development, energy efficiency technologies, and human thermal comfort. With extensive professional experience, he has led major national and provincial research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shandong Provincial R&D initiatives, delivering impactful contributions to low-carbon, high-comfort built environments. Professor Liu has published over 135 peer-reviewed articles in internationally indexed journals, secured 64 patents, and maintains strong collaborations with leading research groups. His editorial contributions include serving as Guest Editor for a special issue in the journal Buildings. Recognized with prestigious honors such as the Shandong Provincial Technology Invention Award, Shandong Science and Technology Progress Prizes, and a Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Award, he has also been acknowledged as an Outstanding Graduate Advisor and University Teacher. He actively contributes to the academic community as Standing Director of four professional committees on HVAC, Thermal Power, Refrigeration, and Building Environment and Energy in Shandong Province. Professor Liu continues to advance research on indoor thermal comfort under complex conditions, bridging energy efficiency with human well-being  708 citations, 58 publications, h-index 16.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Liu G., Research on the lighting satisfaction prediction model for elementary school classrooms based on illuminance gradient. J. Build. Eng., 2025, Accepted.

2. Liu G., Research on recognition of bedding system coverage rate using infrared thermal imaging. J. Therm. Biol., 2025, Accepted.

3. Liu G., Thermal comfort and sensitivity of different body parts exposed to local infrared radiation. Indoor Air, 2025, Accepted.

4. Liu G., Analysis of energy consumption drivers in building rooms: a case of the commercial complex in Chengdu. Energy Informatics, 2024, 7, 78.

5. Liu G., Analysis of factors affecting air conditioning energy consumption: the case study of a commercial building in Shenzhen. In Advances in Computer Science and Ubiquitous Computing (Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol. 1416), 2025, pp. 39–44.