Director
Registrar
Deans
Heads of Departments
Prof. Dr. Virendra Kumar Paul
Director
PH.D., D.LITT. (h.c.), B.Arch., M.B.E.M., FIIA, FIE, C. Eng. FRICS, FIHE, Hon. FIFE(I)
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Greetings from SPA New Delhi
The School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, declared as an Institute of National Importance in 2014 provides a unique education experience. Located in the capital of India, the School provides students a rich exposure to current trends as well as an opportunity to meet leaders in different disciplines. Its rich legacy in nation-building efforts since independence is well recognised. Graduates from this institute have shaped the built environment in India and are recognised as leaders in the field of planning and architecture. The institute works closely with industry and policymakers through research and consultancy projects, thus keeping a strong connection between theory and practice. Lateral thinking tempered with field-based learning fosters an attitude of creative problem-solving. In addition to the above, the diverse student community creates an environment of tolerance, a celebration of difference, and critical reasoning. Student life at the SPA provides holistic learning and develops an ability to perform under pressure and achieve your goals.
BRIEF PROFILE OF THE DIRECTOR
Graduate from Chandigarh College of Architecture where Prof. Paul completed B. Arch., he completed Master’s Degree as well as Ph. D. on ‘Value Analysis in Quality Management of Building Design Management Processes’ from School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. Prof. Paul has been serving as a faculty at SPA since 1990. His areas of interest include Building Science, Fire Safety and Construction Project Management.
Prof. Paul is Fellow of Indian Institute of Architects, Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India), Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.) of Institution of Engineers (India), Fellow of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Honorary Fellow, Institution of Fire Engineers (India), Fellow, Institute of Hospital Engineering and Registered Member, Council of Architecture, Life Member of Indian Plumbing Association and Life Member of Vigyan Bharti. Prof. Paul was conferred the degree of D. Litt. Honoris Causa by the University of Mewar in 2023 for his contributions to Building Engineering and Management. The Research Interest Score of Researchgate ranks Prof. Paul in the top 3% researchers in the category of Architectural Engineering.
The facilitations received by Prof. Paul include: Indian Buildings Congress Medal; Architectural Engineering Gold Medal by Institution of Engineers (India); Commendation Certificate for the technical paper by Indian Buildings Congress; Felicitation Plaque by Indian Plumbing Association; Honorary Membership by Fire and Security Association of India.
Prof. Paul has 10 Ph.D.s to his credit, besides 10 are at various stages of completion. Prof. Paul has over 180 publications to his credit, besides 8 books, namely: Handbook for Construction Project Planning and Scheduling (Two editions); Essentials of Building Life and Fire Safety; Understanding Vulnerability and Resilience Of Critical Infrastructure In Extreme Weather Events; Techno-Managerial Approach For Building Rehabilitation; Healthcare Infrastructure Resilience And Climate Change; Establishing a Performance Index for Construction Project Managers; Thinking about Climate Change.
As an innovator, Prof. Paul has been granted TWO patents; one on Squatting Water Closet; and, second on ‘System and Method for Protecting Building Compartment and Façade form Fire and Radiation’ and one in the pending stage, namely: A System and Method For Evaluating Performance Of Construction Project. He also developed a mobile app named, ‘Fire Safety Audit Tool’.
Prof. Paul has serves as member of BoG for SPA, Vijayawada, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Engineering College, Perambalur (TN), and Trustee, Prem Jain Memorial Trust – a non-profit trust for education and promotion of Sustainable Built Environment. He represents on various Committees of UGC for inspections as well. Prof. Paul has served as member of IS 15883-2009 Guidelines for Construction Management, National Building Code 2016 – Approach to Sustainability; Fire and Life Safety (Part IV) and Light and Ventilation.
Prof. Paul has served as Visiting Professor to Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK (period 2018-2021) and is currently a Visiting Professor to University of West of England (UWE), Bristol (UK) (Period 2021-2023). Prof. Paul served as Visitor’s Nominee, for faculty selection in NITs, for architecture, planning, humanities and management.
Prof. Paul has been rendering technical advisory on many educational campus projects under the Ministry of Education and AIIMS projects under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. He pursues playing flute and Saxophone besides pursues writing Urdu compositions as a hobby by Pen Name “Aziz”. As a Live Kidney Donor to a friend, Prof. Paul promotes the cause of Organ Donation and healthy living.
