Creativity finds its most visible expression in various forms of art and
architecture design. Architecture of a country represents its cultural ethos.
It is the architect who is entrusted with the gigantic responsibility of
planning and designing a town and its buildings meant for public utility
in consonance with a number of factors like changing outlook of a society,
rules and regulations passed by the government, availability of space and
building materials and the financial status of the state concerned. For
those willing to try their luck in such a profession which is not only lucrative
but also promising, here are some relevant information.
Architecture deals with design, plan of buildings and structure. This vast
field comprises creative, technical and craft aspects. The architect is
responsible for the planning, designing and supervising of construction
works.
An Architect has to keep in view consideration of stability, utility and beauty while planning and designing all civil works. A client’s requirement of appropriate, safe and economical shelter are satisfied through efficient planning, and by devising pleasant interior spaces and a beautiful exterior.
Qualifications
Candidates with at least 55% marks (Science) in their 12th standard examination
are eligible to apply for the course. They should also qualify any of the
entrance examinations like All India Engineering Entrance Examination or AIEEE
conducted by the Central Board of Secondary `Education (CBSE) or the National
Aptitude Test in Architecture conducted by the National Institute of Advanced
Studies and Architecture. Students with excellent drawing abilities, clarity
of thought, creativity, strong aesthetic sense and social awareness are likely
to get through.
The duration of the undergraduate architecture courses or B.Arch is 5 years.
This course provides both theoretical and practical training and helps a candidate
develop and sharpen his creative skills. Higher degrees like M.Arch and Ph.d
can also be acquired thereafter.
Personality
Students having academically good background in physics and mathematics are
better suited for the study of architecture. An aspirant for the field of
architecture should be a creative artist with an interest and bent towards
designing. Ability to sketch, free hand plan though not utmost important but
is beneficial while explaining to the clients the very intricate details of
the structure. He needs to have an imaginative and perspective outlook. Awareness
of social and environmental factors, observant attitude adds to the advantage
while designing structures. Apart from being technically sound, good mathematical
ability is important as the work involves complex designing problems, building
economies and cost estimations. Often architects deal with legal procedures
and documents making it necessary for them to understand legal language related
to the profession.
Good communication skills, hardwork, physical stamina to work on the desk as well on the site, a high degree of concentration level, flexibility, patience, team spirit, responsibility and accountability are some other important traits of the profession.
Professional Courses
Anybody who has studied Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry at the 10+2 level
can apply for admission to study architecture at the graduate level in colleges
offering the course. B.Arch is a 5 year course and most schools and colleges
select students through a written test. Further on completion of the graduate
course, if interested, one can study architecture at the post graduate course
which varies from 18 months to 2 years.
Entrance test for B.Arch Courses- The Council of Architecture conducts an aptitude test on an All India basis for admission to colleges of Architecture. Engineering colleges select students on the basis of the result to the appropriate engineering courses. Some other renowned institutes carry their own selection tests to identify suitable candidates while some give weightage to class 12 marks and entrance examinations to select students.
Some of the Colleges/Institutions/Universities offering Graduate/Post-Graduate courses in Architecture are mentioned below.
School of Planning & Architecture, 4, Block-B, IP Estate, New Delhi 110002.
Punjab University, Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh 160012.
School of Architecture CEPT, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009.
Lucknow University, Govt. College of Architecture, Tagore Road, Lucknow 226002.
Goa University, College of Architecture, Campal Panaji, Goa - 1.
University of Mumbai, Sir J J College of Architecture, 78/3, Dr. D.N. Road,
Mumbai 400001.
Indian Education Society's College of Architecture, 791, Bandra Reclamation,
Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050.
Pune University, Marathwada Mitra Mandal College of Architecture, 302, A,
Deccan Gymkhana, Pune 411004.
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, School of Planning & Architecture,
Mahavir Marg, Hyderabad 500028.
Kerala University, College of Engineering, Thiruvananthpuram 695016.
Anna University, School of Architecture & Planning, Sardar Patel Rd.,
Chennai 600025.
IPS Academy, School of Architecture, Rajendra Nagar, Indore 452012.
Bengal Engineering College, PO Botanic Garden, Howrah, West Bengal.
Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Sushant lok, District Gurgaon, Haryana.
Vastu Kala Academy, School of Architecture & Interior Designing, 9/1,
Institutional Area, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067.
Employment Opportunities: Ample employment opportunities are available in Centre/State Govt Departments; Centre/State Public Works Departments; Irrigation Projects; Railways; Defence Services; Flood Control Boards; Central Water & Power Commission, Road Research Institute, Housing Boards, Co-operative Societies and various other construction units and agencies.
Ministry of Urban Development, National Building Organisation, New Delhi, Town & Country Planning Organisation, Housing and Urban Development Corporation, New Delhi; National Building construction corporation, New Delhi and various city development authorities such as DDA, Ghaziabad Development Authority and Housing societies offer good job opportunities to architects.