B.Arch is a 5 year course after +2. A student who has studied Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry can apply for admission to a college of Architecture, Engineering Drawing is a useful subject for prospective architects. Most architecture departments/schools select students through a written test. The post graduate course is generally for 18 months to 2 years.
Entrance Test for B. Arch. - An All India Engineering Entrance Examination conducted since 2002 selects student for Architecture courses in some institutes. For details refer to page 154 of this book.
The Indian Institute of Technology, selects candidates through Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). Leading architectural institutions in the country are at New Delhi and Ahmedabad. A sample test paper is given in the Annexure to this chapter.
Subjects taught at a college of architecture
The teaching schedule at any architecture college includes - Design, Engineering and Technology, Humanities and Arts and Crafts. Design courses aim at developing basic skills of drawing expression and an understanding of scale and measurement related to basic human activities.
Detailed studies on basic materials and construction techniques form part of this course. Design exercises are framed to inquire in to the nature of form and its relevant purpose and the potentials of its expression. Practical inputs into developing design solutions keeping in mind the basic parameters of the cultural and environmental context are given.
A student of architecture goes through the process where he learns developing designs into working drawings. Emphasis is on the overall articulation of design work from the programme stage upto details, and preparation of drawings for execution of the project.
Courses in structures are organized through laboratory studies and model making. Subjects like drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography etc. are taught along with history of art and architecture, climatology, surveying and levelling, theory of structures and structural design, art (drawing and painting), materials and methods of construction, history of art and architecture.
Estimating and costing are important subjects studied in the three years. In the fourth year the major thrust is on the practical facets like methods of construction, application of the theory of structures, the do’s and don’ts of professional practice, concrete design projects followed by the field training for 24 weeks which ends finally in the last year in a dissertation and complete design project called ‘thesis’. The B. Arch degree prepares the theoretical foundations and gives some practical insight on which a student later develops proficiency and functional accuracy.
Preparing to become an architect
Do you have the potentialities to become an Architect or can you cultivate some of the essential abilities? This question confronts students, parents and teachers. Some essential characteristics which will make you succeed through the entrance test and the profession are -
Good academic skill -
Students who have keen interest in Physics and Maths and can understand basic concepts with ease are more suitable for the study of theoretical aspects of Architecture. Engineering drawing or mechanical drawing is useful and students good at this subject can go through the aptitude test with comparative ease.
Analytical and reasoning ability -
Completing simple sequential items needs analytical and interpretative reasoning. If you have good logical reasoning and can see relationships as in item (2) 1 of Part I of the test paper of SPA, Delhi, given in annexure, you probably will do well in an Architecture entrance test.
Perception and observation - Do you recall the ceiling of the best cinema hall in your city? What have you noticed regarding the variety of flooring materials used these days? Do you remember details when you recall the structure of buildings.
General awareness -
Any one entering the marketing field is generally aware of leaders in the field. You wish to become an Architect - how much do you know of famous architects and their work.
Awareness about political, religious, historical events and a keen desire to keep yourself abreast with the physical, chemical and mathematical concepts are perhaps useful for the potential Architect.
Architectural Assistantship
Indian Institute of Architects offers Associateship to diploma holders in Architecture. The 4 year course( 4 semesters) can be done through correspondence. There is an examination at the end of semester 2 and 3. A thesis has to be submitted and viva taken to get the associateship. The Associateship Membership is considered equivalent to a B.Arch in India as well as abroad. Diploma holders must have a year of experience before they can enrol for the course.
The membership course can be pursued by Interior Designers, Assistant Architects and Architectural Draughtsmen. Various polytechnics offer three-year diploma in Architectural Assistant. The course costs about Rs. 10,000 and involves a thesis and dissertation in the final year.
Address for contact - Indian Institute of Architects, Prospect Chambers, Annexe, Dr. DN Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400001. The northern India Chapter is at 8-B Shanker Market, New Delhi -110003.
Specialized branches
Architects sometimes specialize in one type of work.- for example, hospitals, schools, or housing. Others specialize in construction management or the management of their firm and do little design work.
Few architects go in for specialization. They may choose to specialize in India or abroad (Refer to book titled ‘Study Abroad’ for study of Architecture in USA, UK, Australia). The choice of subjects ranges from Urban designing to Regional planning, Building engineering and management, Landscape Architecture to Architecture concerning traffic and transport planning. Some areas of specialisation have been described in the following sections.
While engineers at the site come from civil and electrical branches their subordinate staff conducting supervisory tasks are diploma holders in civil or electrical engineering. Construction managers are graduates/post-graduates from a variety of disciplines and hold a qualification in construction management.
