Research Initiatives

In the realm of eco-conscious construction methods, our research endeavors strive to produce innovative concepts, approaches, and insights in the domain of building technologies through the generation of original knowledge or resourceful utilization of existing knowledge.

Project Based Research

Catalan structure at Riverfront

Students of CEPT university in there summer workshop had designed a form shaped similar to a dome. They approached Sankalan for suggestions on – structural stability of the form, material that could be used, construction detailing and construction of the structure.

Institutional Research

Improved seismic and thermal performance of low-income housing in Nepal

It investigates the needs and constraints of homeowners to find opportunity areas to improve the structural and thermal performance of their rebuilt homes.

Institutional Research

Thermal Avoidance Strategies in Arid, Cost-Constrained Climates Aimed at Improving Indoor Thermal Comfort: A Case Study in Bhuj, India

Johnathan J. Kongoletos

The research team has worked to develop, implement, and evaluate methods to reduce temperatures within the built environment using largely passive means.

Project Based Research

Lab Testing and Soil Mix Design for Earthen Construction

Laboratory testing is conducted to understand soil properties while deriving mix designs for earthen construction projects.

Collaborative Research

Prototyping tile vaults in research thesis on Masonry Vaulting

This research thesis explores the intersection of cultural exchange and building crafts through the lens of building technology, focusing on masonry vaulting in India.

Institutional Research

Analysis and Design for Thermally Autonomous Housing in Resource-Constrained Communities

Madeline S. Gradillas

This thesis is situated in the practical connection of two normally disparate parts: applied research in passive cooling techniques, and design for development.

In-house Material Research

Floor boards: In-house material research

There are various types of waste wood generated during processes, one such waste wood is off-size wooden planks of hardwood. Sankalan has developed a process in which off size wood is utilized to produce a sturdy building material.

Project Based Research

Inverted roof - Jetwan Buddha Vihar

Sp+a, the architecture firm, ingeniously resolved height constraints by designing an inverted roof with recycled wood and reclaimed Mangalore tiles.

Institutional Research

Innovation & Evaluation of Roofing component in Hot & Dry Climate - A case of Bhuj-Kutch

S. Veerendranath

In terms of a building’s operational energy, the right building envelope design can go a long way in reducing the consumption.

In-house Material Research

Stabilized earth construction: In-house material research

Benefiting the use of Inorganic waste in Stabilized earth construction.

Research Papers

Environmental Impact of Building Technologies. A Comparative Study in Kutch District, Gujarat State, India

Daniel Pittet, K.S. Jagadish, Tejas Kotak, Kiran Vaghela, Pratik Zaveri, Humaira Sareshwala, Jayesh Gohel

The project aims at filling a gap in the assessment of environmental impacts of building technologies in India.

Research Papers

Innovations in the construction of Cement Stabilized Rammed Earth dwellings under Bhuj earthquake

Kiran Vaghela & Tejas Kotak

The paper presents the innovations developed and the methodology adopted to construct 3000 cement stabilized rammed earth (CSRE) houses.

Research Papers

Constructing Cement Stabilized Rammed Earth Houses in Gujarat after 2001 Bhuj Earthquake

The major focus was to help by providing technical support in reconstructing shelters and finding appropriate construction technology.

Research Papers

Large Scale Dissemination of Stabilised Mud Block Technology for Rehabilitation after Bhuj Earthquake: Some Lessons

This paper is focused on the housing rehabilitation programme using stabilized mud blocks undertaken by HunnarShaala.