Piyush Das

Associate Professor

pdas@gitam.edu

Piyush Das is a conservation architect and Associate Professor at GITAM School of Architecture. A graduate of Piloo Mody College of Architecture, Cuttack (2011), and M.Arch from SPA Delhi (2014), he recently submitted his PhD titled Understanding Architecture and Planning of Ekamrakshetra at Sushant University. With over a decade of experience in teaching, research, and practice, his work focuses on Indian knowledge systems in architecture. He has presented widely and authored books including Memory of a Stream, Built from the Puranas, and Space Under a Tree. He serves as Associate Research Fellow at the Centre of Conservation for Sustainable Ethnic Heritage (CaSEH), PERZIM, Malaysia, and is an Australia Awards Fellow (2025), University of Adelaide.

Publications

Books
1. Memory of a Stream: Gandhabati,  Copal Publishing, ISBN: 9383419407 · Jan , 2016
2. Built from the Puranas,  Copal Publishing, ISBN: 9789383419999 · Jan , 2021
3. Space Under a Tree, Copal Publishing, ISBN: 8195727204 · Sep , 2022
4. When it Rains! The Write Order Publications, ISBN: 9395868546 · Nov , 2022
5. Modern Indian Identity Through Architecture with Jugal Kishore Chowdhury, Copal Publishing, ISBN: 9383419660 · May , 2019

Book Chapters
1.     Lithology and Mythology in the Sacred Region of EkamraKshetra, In Cultural Landscapes of Asia: Understanding and Managing Heritage Values, Aryan International, ISBN: 9788173056000 · Apr , 2018
 

Monographs Featuring Students' Work

1. From A to Z: An Ancient Architectural Historical ABSEY, Amazon Direct Publishing, ISBN-10: 9334315415 · Jun , 2025
2. Interpreting the Palar River: A Pedagogical Exploration in Visual Communication, Amazon Direct Publishing, ISBN-10: 9334245506 · Mar , 2025
3. Courtyard Perspectives: Whispers of the Open, Amazon Direct Publishing, ISBN-13: 979-8325380020 · May , 2024

Journal Papers

1. Resurgence From Tradition: Unveiling The Relevance of Indian Traditional Planning Theories in Urban Design And Development, as Guided by The Puranas,  Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology (JESTEC) · Dec 1, 2024
2. Sacred Geography and Belief Systems: Unveiling the Asta Ayatanas of Ekamra Kshetra, The Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society, Vol 114, ISSN 0047-8555 · Dec 1, 2023
3. Examining the Concept of Cultural Ecology and Exploring its Relevance in Conservation,  Antrocom Journal of Anthropology · Apr 1, 2023
4. Revealing Architecture: Case of the Sacred Cultural Landscape of Ekamrakshetra: Bhubaneswar,  Malaysia, Architectural Journal (MAJ), e-ISSN: 2716-6139 · Jan 1, 2023
5. The Sacred-Secular Divide: Myth or Reality? Case of Ekamrakshetra: Bhubaneswar, The Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society, Vol 113, No.2, ISSN 0047-8555 · Aug 1, 2022
6. Understanding Architecture and Planning: Case of Ekamrakshetra in Bhubaneswar, Veranda: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Art and Architecture, Volume 3, Issue 1 · Aug 1, 2022
7. Cultural Ecology and Happiness: A Case Study of Western Bhutanese Settlements, INTACH · Jul 1, 2021
8. Metaphysical Planning Principles: Sankha Kshetra of Puri,  Veranda, Sushant School of Art and Architecture · Jun 1, 2018

Conference Proceedings

1. Urban Planning in Artha Shastra,  ICIUP 2024, Malay University, Malaysia · Jul 16, 2024
2. Exploring the Ancient Knowledge Systems in Contemporary Architectural Pedagogy as a Means to True Knowledge,   Routledge & Council of Architecture, ISBN: 9781032944944 · Jan 1, 2024
3. Threats from the Urban Cookie-Cutter: Havelis of Masani Village, Gurgaon   International Conference on Urban Villages, ISBN: 978-93-5768-367-8 · May 23, 2022
4. Historic Water Systems of Chanderi,  IGNCA and Vastu Kala Academy · Jan 1, 2020
5. Aesthetics and Perceptions of the Sacred Cultural Landscape of Ekamrakshetra, Bhubaneswar, Asian Cultural Landscape Association & Johor State Government, Malaysia · Oct 10, 2019
6. A Cultural Landscape Site and a Semi-Arid Land, IGNCA and Vastu Kala Academy, ISBN: 978-93-81131-02-2 · Nov 11, 2018
7. Efficiency and Contextual Responsiveness in Indian Vernacular Architecture: Lessons for Modern Tiny House Design,  11th Zero Energy Mass Custom Home International Conference, VIT University · Nov 10, 2024

Newsletter Articles

1. IIA Journal: A sarson (mustard) harvest on the first floor. A Andhra pradesh chapter · Dec, 2021
2.    Rakhigarhi: Architectural Memory,  INTACH Haryana · Aug , 2016

Piyush Das