Nina Lazar | Architecture | Most Reader’s Article Award

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Dr. Nina Lazar | Architecture | Most Reader’s Article Award

Assistant Professor at Vellore Institute of Technology, India

Dr. Nina Lazar is a highly accomplished researcher and academic with a focus on sustainable built environments. She has conducted extensive research on building sustainability assessment systems, green building rating systems, and the role of culture in sustainable development. Dr. Lazar’s work has been recognized through numerous publications in prestigious journals and conferences, as well as awards such as the Indian Institute of Architects National Award. In addition to her research, Dr. Lazar is dedicated to mentoring students and has served as a teaching assistant and assistant professor at various institutions. She is proficient in a variety of software tools used in architecture and building design, including AutoCAD, Sketchup, and DesignBuilder. Dr. Lazar’s commitment to sustainability extends to her professional activities, where she actively participates in collaborative research projects and academic conferences. Overall, Dr. Nina Lazar’s research contributions and expertise in sustainable building design make her a respected figure in the field. Her work continues to drive progress in sustainable architecture and environmental research.

Professional Profiles:

📚 Education:

Dr. Nina Lazar has an extensive educational background in architecture and building engineering, starting with her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Government Engineering College in Thrissur, Kerala. Graduating with First Rank from Calicut University in 2010, she continued her academic journey by pursuing a Masters in Building Engineering & Management at the School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi, where she graduated with Distinction in 2013. Dr. Lazar furthered her studies with a Ph.D. in the Department of Architecture and Planning at the National Institute of Technology in Calicut, Kerala, completing her doctoral research from 2017 to 2021. Her educational accomplishments reflect a strong commitment to excellence and a deep passion for the field of architecture and building engineering.

📝Work Experience:

Dr. Nina Lazar brings a wealth of industrial and teaching experience to her role, with a focus on sustainability and architectural design. She served as a Sustainability Architect in the ESG Wing of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) from October 2021 to May 2023, where she contributed to sustainable development projects. Prior to this, she worked as a Design Coordinator at Synergy Property Development Services from July 2013 to July 2016, gaining valuable experience in coordinating design processes. Dr. Lazar also has experience as a Part-time Architect at Kavyam Design Studio in Thrissur, where she worked from November 2010 to May 2011. In addition to her industrial experience, Dr. Lazar has a strong background in academia. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor (Senior) at the School of Architecture, VIT Vellore, a position she has held since June 2023. Before joining VIT Vellore, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at the National Institute of Technology Calicut from July 2017 to October 2021, where she contributed to the education and development of future architects. Dr. Lazar also has experience as a Visiting Faculty at Government Engineering College Thrissur, where she taught from December 2010 to May 2011. Her combined industrial and teaching experience reflects her dedication to sustainable architecture and education.

📊Research :

Dr. Nina Lazar is a dedicated researcher in the field of sustainable building design and environmental quality. Her doctoral thesis, “Development of a Sustainability Assessment Tool for Residential Building Design in Tropical Climates,” underscores her commitment to advancing sustainable practices in architecture. This tool, currently undergoing the patenting process, is poised to revolutionize how stakeholders integrate sustainability into building design decisions. Her research extends beyond her thesis, with numerous publications in esteemed international journals and conferences. One notable paper, “Benchmarking Critical Criteria for Assessing the Sustainability of Residential Buildings in Tropical Climates,” has set a scientific standard for sustainability assessment in building design. This paper earned her the Indian Institute of Architects National Award in 2021 and commendation at the Indian Institute of Architects Kerala State Award 2021, highlighting her impact on the field. Dr. Lazar’s research also includes mentoring doctoral students focusing on livability and quality of life aspects in building design. Her receipt of a seed grant further demonstrates her commitment to advancing research in sustainable building design and environmental quality.

Awards :

Dr. Nina Lazar is a distinguished professional with a remarkable record of awards and distinctions in the field of architecture and sustainable development. In 2021, she was recognized with the prestigious Indian Institute of Architects National Award in the research category for her outstanding contributions. Additionally, she received commendation at the IIA Kerala State Awards the same year, with two of her entries being shortlisted in the research category. Dr. Lazar’s research efforts have also had a significant impact on industry standards. Her work led to an amendment by the GRIHA Council, which revised the mandatory Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) requirement based on her research findings. In addition to her research accolades, Dr. Lazar has been honored for her academic contributions. She received the Best Paper Award at the 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Technologies in Building & Environment. Her academic excellence is further evidenced by her achievements during her undergraduate studies, where she attained First Rank in Bachelor of Architecture from Calicut University in 2010. Dr. Lazar’s commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognized early in her career as well, as she was awarded the Bharat Scouts and Guides Rashtrapathi Award in 2002.

Skills:

Dr. Nina Lazar possesses a diverse set of skills that contribute to her expertise in sustainable architecture and building design. Her proficiency in software such as AutoCAD and Sketchup allows her to create detailed architectural drawings and models. She is also skilled in building simulation software like DesignBuilder and eQuest, enabling her to analyze and optimize building performance for energy efficiency. Dr. Lazar’s proficiency in project scheduling tools like Microsoft Project and Primavera helps her effectively manage architectural projects from conception to completion. Her familiarity with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Visio further enhances her ability to communicate design concepts and project plans. In addition to her technical skills, Dr. Lazar is adept at data analysis using R-Studio and SPSS, allowing her to derive valuable insights from research data. Her strong foundation in sustainable architecture principles and green building rating systems enables her to design environmentally friendly and energy-efficient buildings.

 

📚Publications :

A comprehensive literature review on development of Building Sustainability Assessment Systems

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Journal: Journal of Building Engineering

Citations: 87

Year: 2020

Comprehensive bibliometric mapping of publication trends in the development of Building Sustainability Assessment Systems

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Journal: Environment, Development and Sustainability

Citations: 47

Year: 2021

Role of culture in sustainable development and sustainable built environment: a review

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Journal: Environment, Development and Sustainability

Citations: 31

Year: 2021

Evaluation of sustainability criteria for residential buildings of tropical climate: The stakeholder perspective

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Journal: Energy and Buildings

Citations: 21

Year: 2021

Benchmarking critical criteria for assessing sustainability of residential buildings in tropical climate

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Journal: Journal of Building Engineering

Citations: 17

Year: 2022

Prioritization of sustainability dimensions and categories for residential buildings of tropical climate: a multi-criteria decision-making approach

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Journal: Journal of Building Engineering

Citations: 17

Year: 2021

A bibliometric analysis of property valuation research

Authors: BV Binoy, MA Naseer, PPA Kumar, N Lazar

Journal: International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis

Citations: 12

Year: 2021

Green building rating systems from the perspective of the three pillars of sustainability using point allocation method

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Book: Green Buildings and Sustainable Engineering

Citations: 11

Year: 2019

Green Building Rating Systems from the prospect of sustainability dimensions through the building lifecycle

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Citations: 9

Year: 2022

Investigation of key criteria influencing the sustainability of residential buildings in tropical climate

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Journal: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

Citations: 2

Year: 2020

Impact of Land Cover on Land Surface Temperature A Remote Sensing Perspective

Authors: BV Binoy, N Lazar, VM Joshima

Year: 2022

Green Building Rating Systems and Energy Efficiency of a Building from the Building Lifecycle Perspective

Authors: N Lazar, K Chithra

Book: Green Buildings and Sustainable Engineering

Year: 2020