Mr. Vikas Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India.
🎓 Mr. Vikas Kumar is a passionate architectural and urban planning researcher, currently pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT Kharagpur. With a unique academic blend of architecture and city planning, his research integrates sustainable development, indigenous innovation, and human-centered design. He has served as a teaching assistant at both IIT Kharagpur and DCRUST Murthal, mentoring students in design and visualization. His work focuses on “Jugaad” innovation in resource-constrained contexts and its role in inclusive architectural practices. His excellence is not limited to academics—he’s a celebrated sportsperson and national-level award winner, making him a well-rounded and driven personality committed to excellence in all dimensions of life. 🌍🏀📐
👤 Profile
Orcid
🎓 Education
📘 Mr. Vikas Kumar’s academic path showcases a deep dedication to built environment studies. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at IIT Kharagpur, with research on sustainable and inclusive architectural strategies through indigenous innovations like Jugaad. He earned his Master’s in City Planning from IIT Kharagpur in 2020, preceded by a Bachelor of Architecture degree from DCRUST, Murthal (Delhi NCR), in 2017. His educational journey began at CBSE institutions in Gurgaon, reflecting a strong foundational background. His Ph.D. thesis, “From Unsystematic to Systematic: Investigating Jugaad as an Approach for Sustainable and Inclusive Architecture,” underscores his commitment to contextual, impactful solutions. 🏫📘✍️
💼 Experience
🏗️Mr. Vikas brings hands-on experience from both academia and industry. He interned as an architect at Vastumandala in Gurgaon and later in urban planning at Sky Group, Bangalore. Since 2018, he has served as a Teaching Assistant at IIT Kharagpur, contributing to design studios, visualization, and communication courses. He also served at DCRUST Murthal, teaching computer graphics and building construction. These roles sharpened his skills in spatial thinking, digital tools, and pedagogy. His professional foundation enables him to bridge theory and practice, turning complex architectural ideas into practical solutions for real-world challenges. 🖥️🏙️🎓
🧠 Research Interests
🔬Mr. Vikas Kumar’s research orbits around sustainable architecture, informal innovation, and user-centric design. His key interests include “Jugaad” in architecture, social behavior and built environment, spatial cognition, and ergonomic housing solutions for marginalized communities. He also investigates how children’s cognitive development can be enhanced through spatial design, reflecting a deep commitment to inclusive built environments. His research is multidisciplinary, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques, from spatial analysis to ethnographic studies. With a strong emphasis on practicality and resource-conscious design, his work contributes toward achieving sustainable development goals in the built environment. 🏘️📊🔍
🏆 Awards and Achievements
🥇Mr. Vikas Kumar has been honored with numerous academic and sports accolades. He secured All India Rank 201 in the GATE 2018 Architecture and Planning exam. His presentations on bamboo-based housing and Jugaad architecture earned Best Presentation Awards at international conferences in Italy and Malaysia. He is also an accomplished athlete, holding top positions in basketball tournaments, including Inter IIT championships, UDGOSH, and Interhall events at IIT Kharagpur. His leadership as a contingent and team captain reflects his dynamic ability to lead both in academia and athletics. His excellence spans beyond research into co-curricular brilliance. 🏅🎖️🏀
📚 Publication Top Notes
Kumar, V., & Mukerji, A. (2025). Exploring Jugaad in architecture. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 101469. DOI Link — Cited by 12 articles
Kumar, V., & Mukerji, A. (2025). Triggers, Mediators, and Consequences of Jugaad. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 635. Springer Link — Cited by 9 articles
Kumar, V., & Mukerji, A. (2024). Sustainability of bamboo panels. International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, 11(5), 39–42. Read here — Cited by 7 articles
Kumar, V., & Mukerji, A. (2024). Jugaad in cooling technologies. International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, 11(5), 43–45. Read here — Cited by 5 articles
Kumar, V. (2021). Solid waste management in Varanasi. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 6(3), 48–55. Link — Cited by 10 articles