Architectural Excellence Explored: A three-day International Conference of innovation and insight

The three-day international architecture conference at Apeejay Institute of Technology-School of Architectural Planning (AIT-SAP) showcased a multitude of innovative research papers, keynote addresses, and technical sessions. With distinguished participants from academia and practice, the event fostered rich discussions on various aspects of architecture, urban planning, material technology, and pedagogical innovations.

Inaugural Session and Technical Presentations
The conference began with a compelling keynote address by Ar. E.B.Haffner, Founder Partner CHAP,Oslo, Norway. Ar. Haffner. The keynote address delved into the multidisciplinary aspects of the built environment, highlighting the intricate interplay between architecture, engineering, urban planning, and environmental science. Emphasizing the necessity of a holistic approach, the speaker discussed how integrating diverse disciplines can lead to more sustainable, resilient, and livable spaces. The address underscored the importance of innovative solutions and cross-disciplinary research in shaping the future of our built environment.

Following the keynote, the research paper presentations commenced, chaired by Dr. Moinuddin, with moderation by Ar. Kanika Verma and rapporteur duties by Ar. Tvara Sharma. This session was divided into three tracks: Architecture, Urban Planning and Urban Design; Material and Construction Technology for Spatial Design; and Pedagogical Innovation in Teaching-Learning.

In the first technical session (Technical Session 1A), Ar. Vandini Mehta presented her paper on “Planning Policies vs Implementation Inconsistencies: A Colonial-Historic Perspective of Slum Improvement in Delhi,” providing an insightful analysis of historical and contemporary urban planning challenges. Lalrintluangi, Mahesh Kumar, and Ritu B Rai explored sustainable construction with their paper, “Exploring the Possibilities of Using Waste-Derived Building Materials in Mizoram,” highlighting innovative uses of waste materials in building. Bhawana Vasudeva’s paper, “Aligning Architectural Education in India with the Sustainable Development Goals: Challenges and Opportunities,” examined the integration of sustainability into architectural curricula, emphasising the need for education reform to meet global goals.

Deep Dives into Technical Sessions
Technical session 1-B began with a keynote address by Dr. Prof. Jaffer AA Khan, Head of Architecture Studies at Ara Institute of Canterbury, New Zealand. His talk, titled “Cultural Importance for a Sustainable Future,” underscored the significance of integrating cultural values and practices into sustainability efforts to enhance their effectiveness and inclusivity.

The day featured multiple parallel technical sessions. In Technical Session 1B, Room 1, chaired by Dr. Prof. Jaffer AA Khan and moderated by Prof. Dr. Bipasha Kumar.

Swati Singh and Bipasha Kumar presented “Form-Based Codes: A Planning Tool to Enhance Image & Identity of Indian Cities,” emphasising the potential of form-based codes to improve urban aesthetics and functionality. Deeksha Singh, Anamika Yadav, and Anisha Deb’s “A Review on Sustainable Affordable Housing in India” discussed strategies for integrating sustainability into affordable housing projects. Rhythm Aggarwal’s presentation on “Enhancing Sustainable Urban Development Through Transit-Oriented Development” explored how TOD can drive sustainable urban growth. Kamini Singh, Dr. Bipasha Kumar and Ar. Kanika Verma presented the paper titled, ‘Rejuvenating the placemaking potential of Blue-Green Infrastructure: Lohia Canal Greater Noida’. A paper on ‘Dynamic Nexus: The Impacts of Emerging Cultural Paradigms on Established Development in India’ was presented by Dhruv Kumar and Akash Sharma and the final paper ‘Empowering Sustainable Livelihoods and Cultural Preservation: A Comprehensive Study of the Craft Village Development in Thenzawl, Mizoram’ was presented by Vincent Lalrinmawia and Mahesh Kumar.

Technical Session 1B, Room 2, chaired by Dr. Amit Hajela, featured Pooja S M, S V Venkatesh, and Harshith Reddy’s exploration of “Sustainable Concrete by Using Fly Ash and GGBS in Complete Replacement to Cement,” highlighting the potential of alternative materials in sustainable construction. Vaishali Verma presented on “Prefabricating Construction Techniques of Vernacular Architecture in India,” while Swasti Sthapak assessed “Thermal Comfort in Traditional Courtyard Houses in Composite Climate,” bringing valuable insights into sustainable vernacular architecture. Sameena Parveen presented an interesting paper on ‘Role of Green Roofs and Walls in Enhancing Eco-Friendly Spatial Design by Mitigating Sustainability Challenges’ and Aditya Sanyal and Dr Nimrita Mehrotra presented an interesting paper on ‘Innovative Facade Design System :Enhancing Occupant’s Thermal Comfort for a High-Rise Building in India’. The final paper was presented by Mohd Suhail, Sabahat Ali Khan and Anam Ibraheem on “Designing OF Double Skin Facade to Save Energy and Enhance Indoor Comfort of A Building”.

In Room 3, chaired by Dr. Mohd. Saquib, Aritra Deb, Ar. Ruma Bhatt, and Arya Jaiswara examined “River Ghat Study of Old Cuttack,” providing a detailed analysis of urban water bodies. Monika Saraf’s study on “Emerging Learning Spaces for the New Learning Landscape” addressed the evolving needs of educational environments, while Ankita Bajpai and Aniket Pokhriyal’s paper on “Assessing the Impact of Photography on Development of Architectural Education” explored visual media’s role in architectural pedagogy. Bikash Patra and Ravindra Patnayaka presented a paper on ‘Online Teaching in Architectural Education: A Boon or Bane?
A Comprehensive Review’ and Anushka Gupta presented a paer on ‘Unveiling Creativity: Exploring the Impact of Digital Tools on Students in Architecture Design Studio’. The final paper was presented by Archana Baghel and Shreya Parikh on ‘Examining Pedagogical Approaches in the ‘Light & Space’ Course: A Reflective Inquiry’. As packed as Day 1, day 2 also many such interesting paper presentations, discussions and questions and answers in the multiple sessions.

Final Sessions and Valedictory
With a keynote by Dr. Harveen Bhandari, Dean of Research & Scholastic Development at Chitkara University, who spoke on “Bibliometric Analysis: Systematic Approach to Literature Review” her address highlighted the importance of systematic literature reviews in identifying research gaps and enhancing scholarly work.

The final technical sessions featured presentations by M.Arch students of AITSAP. In Room 1, chaired by Dr. Anurag Varma, six papers were presented, each followed by detailed comments and discussions. In Room 2, chaired by Prof. Dr. Deepashree, researchers shared insights on diverse topics, further enriching the academic discourse.

Valedictory Session: Concluding the Symposium
The valedictory session began with an engaging “Meet the Editor” session led by Prof. Ranjith Dayaratne, head of the Asian School of Knowledge. Prof. Dayaratne provided crucial guidance on academic writing, emphasising the importance of literature reviews, theoretical frameworks, and proper research methodologies. His insights on publication procedures were invaluable for aspiring researchers.

The conference concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by the convener, acknowledging the contributions of all participants, keynote speakers, guest speakers, authors, and the organising committee. This three-day event not only highlighted the latest research and innovations in architecture but also fostered a collaborative spirit among participants, paving the way for future advancements in the field.