Sunand is a Mayoral Design Advocate, chairs the Trustee Board of Article 25, the disaster relief and development charity and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Architecture. He was President of the Royal Institute of British Architects 2007-09, campaigning for action on climate change, reform of architectural education and better integration in design and construction. He was a founding Commissioner of the Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment, a member of the Government's Green Construction Board and a trustee of the Centre for Cities. He has authored a number of books, articles and broadcasts on architecture, healthcare, culture and sustainability.