Academic Curricula Integration Project (ACIP) • Fairconditioning

PREMISE

In the building construction and the air conditioning industries, terminologies like green, efficient and unconventional etc. have trickled into the lexicon of practitioners. However, this does not always translate into implementation. The next generation of building professionals – architects, engineers, building consultants, energy modellers etc., is not taught substantial, actionable knowledge on green buildings. This is because the curricula in architecture and engineering courses taught in universities are devoid of content related to Green Building design principles, the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), and Sustainable Cooling Technologies (classical and their new-age derivatives, as well as state-of-the-art). Indian students graduating from technology and architecture institutes have not been taught to identify energy efficiency as a national and global priority.

THE PROJECT

The Academic Curricula Integration Project (ACIP) deeply embeds skills related to working with sustainable cooling technologies (for engineering academia) and efficient building design centered around building physics and relevant sustainable cooling principles (for architecture academia) through a capacity building and change-management program (including behavior change, overcoming cognitive biases of teachers who might resist changes to status-quo pedagogy, organizational change) designed to enhance sustainable design pedagogy skills amongst professors, facilitate activity-based learning process amongst students, as well as accomplish seamless syllabus integration of built-space and HVAC sustainability and efficiency into official University-defined curricula.

The program’s engagement with colleges informs the entire five-year educational curricula spanning architectural history, theory, design and technical subjects and the HVAC course of Mechanical Engineering Programs.

The program envisages a pedagogy in architecture and engineering where sustainability considerations are at par with space and structural considerations in building and cooling design thinking and execution.

The program is guided by the principles of invisible and ‘integrative’ curricula change as opposed to ‘additive’ curricula change (i.e. not adding a new course on environmentally responsible architecture etc.), engendering profound empathy amongst teachers, and through them the students, relate to the social and ecological injustices of conventional air-conditioning in India, achieving horizontal integration of sustainable cooling related knowledge (so that knowledge gained from ‘taught’ subjects manifest in design studios), and diminishing siloes between HVAC engineering and architecture students.

One goal is to create an evidence base for robust curricula-integration strategies to influence the recently enacted policy of the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to include Building Energy Use Conservation related materials into Undergraduate Academic Curricula. This is done by first getting these strategies adopted in 8 of the most prominent Universities in India by advocating (through Principals and Deans of the colleges that are beneficiaries of our Program) to the respective Board of Studies which determines the academic curricula. The other goal is Integrating sustainable cooling pedagogy skill development amongst architecture and engineering professors through formal integration in professional development requirements determined by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and Council of Architecture (COA) who certify and grant operating licenses to Academic institutes in India.

Workshop Types

4-day Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop for Architecture Professors

The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Commercial Building Energy Performance Benchmarking Programme have established the concept of ‘Benchmark Energy Performance Index’ values (kWh/m2/year) for various building usages and climatic conditions. However, these concepts have not yet transformed the Indian building energy consumption scenario due to a lack of awareness, skilled-capacity and insufficient emphasis on increasing uptake of these codes. This dearth of skilled-capacity can only be addressed, most swiftly by augmenting the existing architecture and engineering (RAC course) curricula.

Architecture Professors workshops are conducted to build capacity within India’s architecture colleges focusing on horizontal and vertical integration, where relevant subjects such as building physics, psychrometry, comfort cooling techniques & technologies, adaptive thermal comfort, etc are infused so that the changes go unnoticed, with the goal of thematically expanding the breadth of knowledge imparted from a current two-dimensional focus of ‘space’ and ‘structure’, to a three-dimensional realm wherein ‘sustainability’ is legitimized and centralized as an equal third-axis that shapes the building design process.

View Template Workshop Agenda

5-day certification workshop for engineering students

What are the most efficient mechanical cooling techniques outside ACs? State-of-the-art information and system level design considerations, energy and GHG emissions performance parameters, and cost-benefit analysis techniques related to Efficient/sustainable Cooling Technologies including Radiant Cooling, Evaporative Cooling (Direct and Indirect), Vapour Absorption, and Natural Refrigerant based cooling – for Civil and Mechanical Engineering Programs.

What are energy performance modelling tools for buildings? How toolkits, software and other instructional material developed in-house as well as drawn from other national efforts related to Building Energy Efficiency help designers conceive energy efficient buildings. How do these concepts materialise on site?

Fairconditioning co-organized and is currently co-organizing such events in Universities and colleges, find out more about these events and see the detailed programes in our Events page.

View Template Workshop Agenda

4-day Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop for Engineering Professors

Engineerring Professors workshops are conducted to build capacity within India’s architecture colleges focusing on horizontal and vertical integration, where relevant subjects such as building physics, psychrometry, comfort cooling techniques & technologies, adaptive thermal comfort, etc are infused so that the changes go unnoticed, with the goal of thematically expanding the breadth of knowledge imparted from a current two-dimensional focus of ‘space’ and ‘structure’, to a three-dimensional realm wherein ‘sustainability’ is legitimized and centralized as an equal third-axis that shapes the building design process.

View Template Workshop Agenda

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 16 - 20 September 2019,New Delhi

Architecture Professors Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 20 - 23 January 2020, Bangalore

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Bangalore

Organized by: The Fairconditioning Programme
and BGS School of Architecture and Planning (BGSSAP), Bangalore

Workshop Agenda

Architecture Professors Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 16 - 20 September 2019,New Delhi

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, New Delhi

Organized by: The Fairconditioning Programme
and Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women,New Delhi

Workshop Agenda

Prof. Venus of IGDTUW demonstrated a Lecture Plan for ACIP Integration Process during the 5 days FDP

Engineering Professors Training Of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 28 - 31 May, 2019, Pune

A program tailored for Enigneering Professors, Pune

Organized by: The Fairconditioning Program, M.I.T., Pune

Workshop Agenda

Architecture Professors Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 16 - 19 February 2019, Mumbai

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Mumbai

Organized by: The Fairconditioning Program
& Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Architecture, Mumbai
Workshop Agenda

Photographs

Architecture Professors Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 6 - 7 December 2018, Pune

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Pune

Organized by: The Fairconditioning Program
& Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture, Pune
Workshop Agenda

Photographs

Engineering Professors Training Of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 30 November - 3 December, 2018, Bangalore

A Programme tailored for Engineering Professors

Organized jointly by: The Fairconditioning Program & At Nagarjuna College Of Engineering & Technology (NCET), Bengaluru

Workshop Agenda

Architecture Professors Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 26 - 29 November 2018, Bangalore

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Bangaluru

Organized by: The Fairconditioning Program
& S.J.B School Of Architecture And Planning, Bengaluru

Workshop Agenda

Photographs

Engineering Professors Training Of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 29 October - 1 November, 2018, Pune

A program tailored for Enigneering Professors, Pune

Organized by: The Fairconditioning Program, M.E.S.College Of Engineering, Pune

Workshop Agenda

Photographs

Engineering Students At Mukesh Patel College Of Engineering, 19 – 21 October 2018, Mumbai

A Programme tailored for Engineering Students, Mukesh Patel College Of Engineering, Mumbai

Organized jointly by: The Fairconditioning Program & MPSTME, Mumbai

Workshop Agenda

Photographs

Engineering Training of Trainers (ToT), April 10-13, 2018, Bangalore

A Programme tailored for Engineering Professors, Bangalore

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme & NCET, Bangalore

Engineering Training of Trainers (ToT), March 15-18, 2018

A Programme tailored for Engineeringe Professors, Pune
Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme & MES College of Engineering, Pune

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, December 21-22, 2017

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Delhi

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme & Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Delhi

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, August 21-23, 2017

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Mumbai

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme & SKLTCOA, Mumbai

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, June 12-15, 2017

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Delhi

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme & Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Delhi

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, May 30-June 2, 2017

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, BNCA, Pune

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
& BNCA, Pune

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 14 - 17 November 2016, Chennai

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Chennai

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
MIDAS, Chennai

Engineering Student Certification Workshop, 09 - 13 November 2016, Bangalore

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Bangalore

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
NCET, Bangalore

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 2 - 4 November 2016, Mumbai

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Mumbai

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
SKLTCOA, Mumbai

Engineering Student Certification Workshop, 03 - 07 October 2016, Mumbai

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Chennai

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
IIT, Chennai

Engineering Student Certification Workshop, 17 - 22 September 2016, Mumbai

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Mumbai

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
MPSTME, Mumbai

Engineering Student Certification Workshop, 29 August - 2 September 2016, Pune

A Programme tailored for Engineering Students, Sinhgad College of Engineering (SCoE), Pune

Organised jointly by: The Fairconditioning Programme & SCoE, Pune

Workshop Report

Photographs

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 5 - 7 August 2016, Jaipur

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Jaipur

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
& MNIT, Department of Architecture & Planning, Jaipur

Workshop Report

Photographs

Engineering Student Certification Workshop, 25 - 29 July 2016, Jaipur

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Noida/Delhi NCR

Organised jointly by: The Fairconditioning Programme & Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur

Workshop Report

Photographs

Workshop Agenda

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 12 - 14 March 2016, Bengaluru

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Bengaluru

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
REVA University, Bengaluru

Workshop Report

Photographs

List of Trainers

Engineering Student Certification Workshop, 08 - 12 February 2016, Delhi/NCR

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Noida/Delhi NCR

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
Amity School of Engineering & Technology, Amity University, Noida

Workshop Report

Photographs

List of Trainers

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 23 - 25 January 2016, Pune

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Pune

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme and Sinhagad College of Architecture, Pune

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 11 - 13 December 2015, Delhi/NCR

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Delhi

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
Vastu Kala Academy, Delhi

Workshop Report

Photographs

List of Trainers

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 03 - 05 October 2015, Mumbai

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Mumbai

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies, Mumbai

Workshop Report

List of Trainers

Roundtable Conference for ACIP ESCert (Student Certification Training Content) , September 23, 2015, Pune

Organised by: Fairconditioning Program and
Vke:environmental, Pune

Engineering Student Certificate Workshop, 20 - 24 July 2015, Pune

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Pune

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
Modern Education Society’s College of Engineering, Pune

Workshop Report

List of Trainers

Engineering Student Certificate Workshop, 06 - 10 July 2015, Chennai

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Chennai

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
Anna University, Chennai

Workshop Report

List of Trainers

Roundtable Conference for Architecture Professors, May 2015, Delhi

Organised by: Fairconditioning Program and
Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Delhi

Roundtable Conference for Architecture Professors, 15 May 2015, Mumbai

A RoundTable for Brainstorming amongst Architecture Professors, Mumbai

Organised by: Fairconditioning Program
Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies, Mumbai

Full Video – Round Table Conference

Roundtable Conference for Architecture Professors, February 25, 2015, Delhi

Organised by: Fairconditioning Program and
School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi

Engineering Student Certificate Workshop, 27 - 31 January 2015, Pune

A Programme tailored for Mechanical Engineering Students, Pune

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
MAEER’s Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune

Workshop Report

Architecture Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, 09 - 11 January 2015, Mumbai

A Programme tailored for Architecture Professors, Mumbai

Organised by: The Fairconditioning Programme
Rachna Sansad’s Institute of Environmental Architecture, Mumbai and Indian Institute of Architects, Brihan Mumbai Center

Workshop Report

Workshop Literature

Video- Thoughtful Cooling

Video- Participant’s Comments

Upcoming Workshops

Upcoming Workshop

VTU Design & Humanities Theme - Transforming Architectural education and pedagogy in the praxis of Climate crisis. (20 Jan - 24 Jan 2025)

Organized by: The Fairconditioning Program.

ACIP Team

Matouleibi Chingsubam

E: matou@cbalance.in

Prachi Bhujbal

E: prachi@cbalance.in

Dhrumit Parikh

E: dhrumit@cbalance.in

Hasan ul Banna Khan

E: hasan@cbalance.in