Welcome to my portfolio! I’m Vikram Arora, an Assistant Professor at the Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, passionate about blending traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern education, particularly in the fields of architecture and design. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching, mentoring, and inspiring students across a variety of subjects and institutions, each experience shaping my teaching philosophy and approach.

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Teaching Philosophy: Narratives, Gamification, and Real-World Learning

As an educator, my primary focus is to create a learning environment where students are not only gaining technical skills but also developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. I strongly believe in the power of narrative-based learning and offline gamification, especially in the field of architecture. These methods help students engage deeply with the content, making the learning experience immersive and enjoyable.

Incorporating traditional Indian knowledge systems like those from the Mayamatam and Samrangana Sutradhar into modern architectural education is also a key element of my teaching. These texts provide valuable insights into sustainable and enduring design principles, which I bring to the classroom to help students connect ancient wisdom with contemporary architectural challenges.

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Courses I’ve Taught: From Design Basics to Advanced Project Management

Throughout my career, I have taught a wide range of courses across multiple universities, each providing a unique platform for hands-on, experiential learning. Here are some of the highlights:

At Chandigarh University (BSc Interior Design Program)

• Design Workshop: Co-taught with a colleague, this studio-based course allowed students to build real-world products from wood. Their hands-on engagement made this 10-hour-per-week course one of their favorites, sparking creativity through craftsmanship.
• Design Basics: A foundational course where students were introduced to the core principles of design, laying the groundwork for their future academic journey.
• Estimation and Costing: In this course, students ventured into real markets to learn how to estimate the cost of materials and developed detailed Bills of Quantities (BOQ). Over two consecutive years, students created a comprehensive guidebook on estimating costs, a first for interior designers at the university.
• Project Management: More than just theory, students in this course developed landing pages for an app that promoted ethics and dress codes in the institution. This experience taught them not just professional practice but also how to infuse ethical principles into technology.
• Interior Design Elective: A highlight of this course was the furniture-making project where students designed and tested furniture made of cardboard. The excitement of seeing their creations tested for strength left a lasting impression, making learning both fun and impactful.
• Interior Design Commercial: Students designed commercial spaces and built two real-life models, highly appreciated by co-faculties and creating an atmosphere of achievement and camaraderie.

At Sharda University

• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): This course, enriched by a guest lecture from an ex-ISRO scientist, inspired 30% of the students to develop patentable products, demonstrating how innovative ideas can transform into legal assets.

At Manipal School of Architecture and Planning (BDes ID Program)

• Project Management: By the end of the semester, students mastered the CPM method through hands-on exercises involving pinboards and slip maps, grasping the complexities of project management in a fun, interactive way.
• Sociology and Anthropology: Researching extensively for every session, I taught students how societal dynamics—ranging from education to economics—impact design decisions. The students’ consistent engagement and a 4.5/5 course rating reflected their connection with the content.
• Interior Graphics: Using storytelling and games, I made even the second-half Friday classes come to life. We ended the course with a marathon session where students completed all their work while navigating detailed rubrics. Their commitment showed how effective immersive learning can be.

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Research Interests: Integrating Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems into Modern Architecture Education

My research focuses on synthesizing traditional Indian texts on architecture—such as the Mayamatam and Samrangana Sutradhar—with modern pedagogical practices. My doctoral research, titled ‘Evaluating and Creating Residential Architecture Education Models: Synthesizing Indian Knowledge Systems through Narrative-Based Learning and Offline Gamification as a Tool,’ aims to develop models that blend ancient wisdom with contemporary education methods. This work not only preserves valuable historical knowledge but also makes it accessible to today’s students.

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What’s Next? Continuing to Innovate in Education and Research

As I continue my journey in academia, my goal is to further enhance the educational models I’ve developed by integrating new technologies and more interactive learning methods. I’m constantly seeking to explore how design education can be both meaningful and accessible, preparing students to face the challenges of tomorrow’s world.

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Stay Connected

This portfolio is a growing reflection of my work, and I’ll continue to update it with new courses, research projects, and innovative teaching methods. I welcome any inquiries or collaborations—feel free to reach out through the contact form below

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