Pulak Goyal

I am an architect exploring the role of architecture in solving today’s issues of ecosystem losses and global warming. The manner in which nature, context and people give meaning to the design of buildings intrigues me. I find it interesting to delve into the building’s relationship with the ecological elements through different aspects of designing.

My practical experience as an architectural trainee at Biome Environmental Solutions involved working on design models for houses, community housing clusters, apartment complexes and schools using alternative construction practices and sustainable materials. I had diverse interactions with clients, structural consultants, quantity surveyors, and other architects. I learned to envisage the practical details of an architectural project while addressing the ecological aspects. 

My bachelor’s degree in Architecture at CEPT University honed my skills in architectural design and has made me realise that architecture is not just about the crux of the building process. It is also about the ecology of cities, their people, and the flora and fauna. This rigorous 5-year course involved working on projects of varying types and scales like residential, institutional, transportation hub, urban inserts, etc. It has made me appreciate the art of building from the conceptual stage to the detailing stage of any project. Architecture, to me, is about providing comfortable, wholesome spaces for humans, buildings that utilise natural resources, and spaces that interact with nature.

The graduate course MSc in Building Performance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore is helping me integrate building science into energy-efficient buildings and perform a holistic analysis of building performance. I am working on getting equipped with simulation tools for making informed decisions regarding thermal comfort, ventilation, lighting, acoustics etc. Therefore, in addition to being proficient in architectural tools such as Revit, Autocad, Sketchup, Lumion and Photoshop, I am also learning simulation software like Design Builder, Ansys Fluent, Envimet and Digital Blue Foam. NUS is not only allowing me to develop my interest further in the field of sustainable architecture but also encouraging me to grow by sharing discoveries with people from different backgrounds with similar interests.