Prof. Dr. Ajai Chandran C. K stands as a distinguished multidisciplinary professional whose career seamlessly integrates academia, industry leadership, research, and policy advocacy in the built environment. With over twenty-six years of professional and academic experience, he has played a pivotal role in shaping architectural education, sustainable development practices, and institutional governance in India
Currently, Prof. Dr. Chandran serves as the Director of Anantapadmam Builders Pvt. Ltd., where he contributes strategic vision and professional expertise to real-world development projects. Parallelly, he is a Senior Professor at the School of Architecture, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, mentoring future architects and planners while fostering a strong link between theory, practice, and innovation.
His leadership journey includes several eminent academic positions. He has previously served as the Principal of SJB Institute of Technology (SJBIT), Bengaluru, and as the Dean of BGS School of Architecture & Planning (BGSSAP), Bengaluru, where he was instrumental in strengthening academic frameworks, research culture, and institutional quality benchmarks. His commitment to educational governance is further reflected in his role as a Standing Appellate Committee Member of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)—the apex regulatory body for technical education in India—where he contributes to policy-level decision-making and academic integrity.
Prof. Dr. Chandran is also deeply engaged with national industry bodies and sustainability initiatives. He serves as the Honorary Secretary of GEM ASSOCHAM (Green and Eco-Friendly Movement), Karnataka Chapter, under the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). In this capacity, he actively promotes sustainable design practices, green certification, and eco-conscious development models across the construction and infrastructure sectors. His credentials are further strengthened as a GEM Sustainability Certification Professional, reinforcing his commitment to environmentally responsible development.
A strong proponent of indigenous knowledge systems, Prof. Dr. Chandran is a Certified Trainer for Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Education, Government of India. Through this role, he contributes to integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary architectural education and planning methodologies.
In the domain of Research & Development, Prof. Dr. Chandran’s contributions are both prolific and impactful. He has filed 54 patents, with 33 patents granted by the Government of India, reflecting his innovative approach to architecture, planning, construction technologies, and sustainable systems. Complementing this is his strong academic research profile, with 31 international publications in Scopus-indexed journals, underscoring his thought leadership and scholarly influence at the global level.
His professional standing is further affirmed by his extensive affiliations with leading national bodies. He is a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Architects (FIIA), Fellow of the Institute of Town Planners, India (FITPI), and Fellow of the Institute of Valuers, India (FIIV). Additionally, he is an Associate Member of the Indian Institute of Interior Designers (AIID) and an Associate Life Member of the Indian Society of Technical Education (MISTE)—a testament to his multidisciplinary expertise and professional credibility.
Prof. Dr. Ajai Chandran C. K represents a rare confluence of academic excellence, professional practice, innovation, and policy engagement. His career continues to inspire institutions, professionals, and students alike, while his work significantly contributes to shaping a sustainable, knowledge-driven, and future-ready built environment for India.
