WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE ?

Shelter is an elemental need; Architecture is much more than merely building a shelter. It attends to socio-cultural as well as psychological needs of the human beings occupying it. It is a profession just like medicine or law.

WHAT DO ARCHITECTS DO?

Architect’s task is essentially to design buildings, individual or groups of buildings for different uses. Whether a building is in the urban realm or in rural setting, it is for the use of the people and should be designed with a compassionate understanding of those who live within and around it. It should be appropriate to its location, efficient, economical, sustainable and capable of enhancing the quality of life. These are the qualities which architects can still offer and these qualities are important to communities. They need re-definition and the architect needs to reconfirm his commitment to them.

FUTURE FOR ARCHITECTS

Most architects practice in Urban areas individually, Although substantial numbers are employed by state and Central Government. The numbers of architects employed in private sector by developers, industries business and research organisations is also increasing. Few of them are also employed by Banks, Financial Institutions and Public Sector companies. Architect may also choose to undertake specialised studies at post graduate level in the field like Urban design, Urban and regional Planning, Landscape Architecture Traffic and Transportation, Product Design, Visual Communications Etc. to widen the spectrum of opportunities. Employment prospects for architects remain very good. Although the field of development remain dominated by engineers in government and public sector, the change in attitude to hand over the architects and planners is increasing. The private sector , however , is always engagingarchitects to pursue the development programmes. The towns and communities in the rapidly growing areas of the country will be seeking additional professional architects’ help in dealing with urbanisation and population growth. The states and towns experiencing rapid growth will offer opportunities for architects to help new development. Older cities will continue to need architects to deal with growing housing and redevelopment issues. Also with the upgradation of overall economic standards there will be fresh opportunities for architects in the field of building interiors design and decoration.

CHOOSING A CAREER

How does one decide whether oneshould become an architect ? Some decide the profession they want to enter whilstthey are very young, probably looking at their parents or relatives or people around. Others simply fall into a career. As the training in Architecture takes place at undergraduate level eventually directs your life, one should carefully and systematically decide the career. What should you consider when selecting career? Job placements, income, prestige, career advancement, duration for training as an architect, geographical location and job opportunites and so many other factors govern the choice of career. However ones own aptitude is of utmost importance for the choice of career. Before embarking into a career one can look at the professionals, their contributions, their offices, talk to them and also theirperception of their work and satisfaction. By large, though, that people tend to justify their own career decisions and it will be hard to get an unbiased sample of Professionals in any field. Another approach is to read about various professions, including biographies of prominent figures in the field and major professional and scholarly journals.

WHOM ARE WE LOOKING FOR

Here is a short profile of the studentwe are looking for, as clay to be moulded for the discipline of Architecture.

Intellectually alive to understand the community’s problems, to meet community leaders as an intellectual equal and to contribute to the solutions. Responsive to people, place and situation, with a developed understandingof the way people use and respond to environments Checking ones intuitionagainst all the hard data one can lay oneshands on.

Imaginative, capable of thinking creatively flexibly, broadly and not getting biasedby own preconceptions or of the passing fashion. Practical and willing work on field and not remain insulated since many problems demand down to earth positive action. Organizedand able to get and keep matters under control to manage at all levels. Intuitive, creative yet rational, reasoning in taking decisions. With growing complexities of the projects an architect is also required to contribute in project management along with the advisory and designing role.