Owing its lineage to the rich academic tradition of Pune, Bharatiya Kala Prasarini Sabha's College of Architecture runs a marathon history, even as it braved past numerous odds. Founded in 1952 as a training centre for fine arts, thanks to the pioneering efforts of the former governor of Pondicherry late Sayajirao Silam and social activist late N. E. Puram, a five year full-time diploma course in Architecture was initiated in 1954 by Mr. S.G.Athavale. Functioning under the auspices of Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya with Principal Diwakar Dengle looking after both the Arts and the Architecture disciplines, the latter came in for a major revamp under late Mr. Ratnakar G. Pundlik since 1963 . This triggered a spate of significant changes, so much so that students from distant parts of state were drawn towards the Institute and the alumni soon started bagging ambitious projects. The old course was revised in 1964 and the first batch rolled out in 1970. Thereafter, late Mr. VaikunthSardesai took over from Mr. Pundlik in 1976, for what then went on to become an 18-year long stint, lending the Institute steadiness and a social orientation. The Department of Architecture was affiliated to the University of Poona in July 1978 , concurrently rolling in the first batch the same year for a course leading to a degree of 'Bachelor of Architecture '.

VISION

Developing into a center of excellence for imparting quality education in Architecture for nurturing students to meet the requirements of an Architect in contemporary world at the same time preserving human values and traditional knowledge systems.

MISSION

Manifesting the program outcomes of architecture program in course work and teaching plan and enabling the students to develop as architect entrepreneurs to confront the challenges of the contemporary built environment.

To integrate in the course work and projects human values and ethics and sensitize them to the traditional knowledge systems. Along with the theoretical knowledge integrate field and office learning and exposure to equip the students for undertaking professional practice.

For evolving into center of excellence develop research environment and undertake research and develop an ecosystem for value added postgraduate and higher studies in architecture.

PERSPECTIVE PLAN

Spearheading thebrightly unstinted academic tradition, students pursued their post-graduation at esteemedcentrespan India and globally. A number of them have reinvested their expertise into the academic mission of the Institute. With their assistance , the Institute is working towards making a Masters Degree course available in Pune itself. The bequest of dedicated teaching professionals now rests with a young team of talented teachers and the two together will surely go miles in enriching architectural instructionWiththe expansive scope, space has become a major constraint. The added challenges of vying with numerous other institutes in the city has, however, met its match in commanding reputation and sheer commitment.

In an apt response to changing times, the Institute plans to augment state-of-the-art computer and audiovisual facilities and material testing equipment. To complement the prolific think-tank of architectural instructors, drawn form the cream of professionals, the Institute also envisages a pro-active pool of student expertise in addressing live projects and topical urban issues. The student potential is also channeled towards documentation of heritage structures through measured drawings. Teachers with research degrees are bringing in research temperament into teaching with empirical research studies carried out taking the students along. To supplicate its professional commitment, the Institute intends to redefine and revitalise its social participation in a broader perspective . Under consideration are, welfare schemes for students and teachers, an alumni centre, an extension centre, a programme for continuing education, quality improvement pursuits for teachers, new laboratories and a material museum. The Institute is also seeking the participation of ex-students in its fund-raising drive. To boost better professional interaction, the Institute is poised to take a lead in specialized lectures by inviting personalities from diverse but allied fields such as poets, writers, painters, sculptors, sociologists, marketers, economists, historians, , etc. Having celebrated Golden jubilee of the Architecture course in 2004 we now look forward to move to the academic complex at Pashan. The plans for the first phase of the complex are being finalized. All this, of course, calls for major moral, material, and monetary inputs. The Institute is determined to wend its way through resource crunch and solicits assistance in turning a vision to reality.