“During my undergraduate studies, opportunities in research, fabrication, leadership, and international programs broadened my perspective and helped me realize the potential of architecture as a tool for creating meaningful social impact,” he recalled. “These experiences made choosing UB one of the best decisions of my life.”

Now, Das has been selected as the School’s 2026-27 Eberhard Research Fellow. Named in honor of the School’s founding dean, John Eberhard, the fellowship supports an exceptional incoming Master of Architecture student committed to carrying out significant and impactful architectural research through a master’s thesis and allied coursework. Over the coming year, Das will focus on the development of affordable, sustainable, and inclusive architectural solutions for children with autism spectrum disorder.

As an undergraduate student, Das became increasingly interested in how the built environment influences human behavior, emotions, and well-being. That interest eventually led him to autism-centered design, where he identified two significant challenges.

1.      Most of the accessible design research is related to physical conditions of users; very few of them are applicable to neurological conditions.

2.      Almost all existing studies and design guidelines are developed for high-income countries, where advanced technologies, specialized materials, and large construction budgets are widely available. But these solutions are not feasible for marginalized populations with limited resources.

His research revealed a stark reality in countries such as Bangladesh, where thousands of children with autism need supportive learning and living environments, yet schools, therapy centers, and families often lack access to the resources necessary to create them.

That realization led Das to a simple but important question: Can thoughtful architecture improve their lives without relying on expensive solutions?

“I believe good architecture should never be a privilege reserved for wealthy communities,” he shared. “It should be accessible, practical, and capable of improving lives regardless of economic circumstances. Through my research, I hope to develop affordable evidence-based design strategies using local materials, passive environmental techniques, and culturally appropriate solutions that architects, NGOs, and governments can realistically implement across tropical developing countries.”

Das has already begun planning the year ahead. His work will start with an extensive review of literature that focuses on autism-friendly design, sensory architecture, inclusive and accessible environments, and sustainable architecture. From there, he plans to analyze existing projects and useful precedents to identify proven design strategies and evaluate how those approaches can be adapted to low-resource settings.

“Ultimately, I aim to produce a framework of evidence-based design recommendations that can guide future architectural projects in developing regions.”

One of the key reasons Das chose to continue his graduate studies at UB was the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of disciplines and researchers across the university — particularly psychology, education, and engineering.

He’s especially eager to work with the School’s Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center), whose mission aligns closely with his own research goals. “Autism-supportive architecture benefits from interdisciplinary perspectives rather than architectural knowledge alone,” he explained. “I believe I can strengthen my research by integrating insights from multiple disciplines.”

Das credits his undergraduate experience at UB with preparing him for the rigor and demands of the Eberhard Fellowship. Studio projects encouraged him to connect social, environmental, and cultural issues with architectural solutions. Research assignments strengthened his ability to analyze evidence critically, while technical coursework helped him build the skills to investigate complex problems through design. His study abroad experience in Costa Rica further expanded his perspective by exposing him to community-centered and sustainable design in a real-world setting for the first time.

“It was a real pleasure to watch Bikram work in this context,” noted Stephanie Cramer, director of the Costa Rica study abroad program, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Architecture, and executive director of the Fabrication Workshop. “He demonstrated not only his much higher than average design competency, but a deep understanding of the needs of the client, and both excellent teamwork and leadership.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree, Das spent a year gaining valuable professional experience in the architectural field, where he developed a deeper understanding of the realities that shape design decisions, such as budgets, regulations, construction methods, client expectations, and project timelines.

“The experience reinforced an important lesson for my research,” he noted. “Innovative ideas only become meaningful if they can realistically be built and maintained. I now approach research with both academic curiosity and practical awareness.”

For Das, receiving the Eberhard Fellowship represents one of the most meaningful milestones in his academic journey, providing him with the time, resources, and support necessary to explore his questions, test ideas, and refine them through research and collaboration.

Just as valuable, he says, is the opportunity to join a community of scholars who will challenge him to think critically, work across disciplines, and grow as both a researcher and a designer.

“I see the Eberhard Fellowship not as the culmination of my achievements but as the foundation for the work I hope to accomplish throughout my career,” Das reflected. “It will empower me to develop research with real-world impact, contribute to the advancement of inclusive and sustainable architecture, and one day mentor future students who share the same passion for using design to improve lives.”