Professor Neelkanth Chhaya is one of India’s most important voices in Architecture Education and Practice. He has taught at the University of Read More Nairobi, the Institute of Environmental Design at Vallabh Vidyanagar, and was a faculty member at CEPT University for over twenty-five years, from where he retired as the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture after 24 years of service. His practice both as an Educator and as Architect reflects his core commitment to culturally and environmentally sensitive design that privileges local materials and skills. A much sought-after advisor on both the teaching and practice of architecture, he also serves on the Boards of Hunnarshala and Khamir Craft Resource Centre, both of which are involved in empowering traditional knowledge and sustainable practices.

Vivek completed his Bachelors in Architecture from NIT, Calicut and Masters in Urban Design from National University of Singapore. An architect com Read More mitted to nature inclusive & contextually responsive designs, his firm De Earth has won various national awards. Vivek also serves as Guest Faculty at many architectural institutions including NIT Calicut.

Soumini Raja is a Professor and Head of the Department at Avani Institute of Design, Kerala, and Chairperson of the Board of Studies in Design at t Read More he University of Calicut, India. With over a decade of academic experience, she views design as an ongoing process involving dialogue and negotiation between society, culture, and the environment. She co-founded Studio Commune and serves as its Director of Research. Soumini holds an undergraduate degree in Architecture from the College of Engineeri ng Trivandrum and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning (gold medal) from CEPT University Ahmedabad. Her doctoral research at CEPT University addressed human vulnerabilities to disasters in coastal regions using a human-nature co-evolutionary framework. She has received prestigious awards and scholarships, Council of Architecture Training and Research Centre Urban Studio Research Project Award (2022), the Indian Climate Research Network Research Award (2014), the Vastu-Shilpa Foundation Award (2008), and the Eklavya Education Foundation Scholarship of Excellence (2008). She is a Fulbright - Nehru visiting scholar and has been selected for the prestigious International Education Administrators Seminar in the US in 2024. Soumini has published extensively in national and international peer-reviewed journals and conferences. She collaborates with various educational institutions, NGOs, and governmental agencies in India. Additionally, she is a canine lover and a trained Kathakali artist.