This Chapter is for those who find interest in the physics of buildings, are concerned with habitats, are conscious of the environment and most importantly visualise creations of concrete for changing the skyline for generations to come. While the Roman, Victorian, Moslem and Indian temple architecture have overawed people in all ages , the contemporary structures should inspire aspirants who are deciding to step into the world of architecture and desire to leave a powerful imprint on lives of people for centuries.
Architecture is that specific area of study and work which deals with design, plan of buildings and structures. Architects belong to a profession where dreams and sweat are blended with material to erect milestones of human civilization and prosperity. In our country there is an enormous demand for trained architects who can cope with the challenges and requirements of the rapidly developing society. It is quite obvious that in fast changing societies the demand of rapid change often conflicts with traditional values. The training of an Architect provides meaningful resolutions to such conflicts, through processes of learning and doing. The work of Architect is to develop and improve the quality of design and construction which are simultaneously environmentally appropriate.
Architects training and work make it a distinctive and a very creative field. Architects spend years learning how to translate their clients’s ideas into a really workable solution. They are trained basically to organize space and with space at a premium now-a-days the skills of an expert architect are usually worth every rupee of his fees. Architects know all the technical requirements of a building and assume responsibility for the plumbing, electrical, air conditioning and complex engineering details of a home. They are trained to understand the demands made on a building structure by climate and location. They also know their way around the rigmarole of our building laws and regulations.
In designing homes people often stress decoratives over functional design. Clients approach architects with some idea of what they want their home to look like, but with little knowledge of whether their idea will work. A good architect strikes a healthy balance between aesthetics and functionality.
Nature of Work
The design of a building involves far more than its appearance. Buildings must be functional, safe, and economical and must suit the needs of the people who use them. Architects take all these things into consideration when they design buildings. They provide a wide variety of professional services to individuals and organizations planning a building project and may be involved in all phases of development, from the initial discussion of general ideas with the client through construction. Their duties demand a variety of skills - design, engineering, managerial and supervisory.
Creative designing
Some architects concentrate on design work. This largely depends on the type of organization or firm an architect is working for and the type of contracts he undertakes. Design involves both artistic and scientific skills, i.e., producing something which is also technically feasible.
Architects receive a set of instructions from their clients indicating the type of building required and the estimated budget available. The contract could be for a building which is residential, commercial or industrial; the brief may be for an entire housing or industrial estate. Each building may need to be designed from the very beginning or alternatively, existing structures may need conversion, e.g., houses could be altered into flats.
Once the ideas have been confirmed the architect sketches and makes plans which are detailed and show sizes, specifications and estimates of the cost of building materials. Sometimes Architects build models for a more graphic presentation of a project. The interior layout of buildings is also designed by the architect. The work may be done by an architect alone, in a team, or with the aid of architectural technicians.
Managerial and administrative responsibilities
Once the plans are finalised and accepted by the client it may be the responsibility of the architect to obtain building permission from the local authority, prepare and negotiate contracts with building contractors, civil and structural engineers and surveyors, and give all the drawings and estimates.
The architect may be the overall incharge of the contract. This involves regular visits to the site, checking the progress and quality of work, site and materials security, issuing instructions to the contractor agent; and certifying payments to contractors. A lot of time is spent discussing problems with the site manager and civil or structural engineers. This responsibility continues until the construction is complete and ready for the client’s use. Sometimes the architect may not be the overall in charge of the project but may act as part of a team with other construction professionals.
Variety, the essence of an architects work.
Architects design a wide variety of buildings, such as office and apartment buildings, schools, churches, factories, hospitals, houses and airport terminals. They also design building complexes such as shopping centres, college campuses, industrial organizations, and entire communities. In addition to designing buildings, architects also advise on the selection of building sites, and do long-range planning for land development. Architects often work with engineers, urban planners, interior designers, landscape architects, and others.
Career progression of architects
Architecture graduates during their final year in graduation have to undergo practical apprenticeship with an Architectural firm. During this training the work they do is related to design and working out on drawings, i.e., they practice and learn the practical aspects of architectural designing. After graduation most budding architects join architectural agencies or firms and manage small assignments, e.g., they may do the drawing plan of some part of a large assignment.
They learn under senior architects the technicalities involved in design when it has to be made under given specifications. After a few years of brushing up basic skills the young architect learns to handle small projects, can make architectural plans and can use his knowledge and judgment in presenting initial proposals.
Architectural training helps the architect to develop gradually an ability to work independently. He needs to learn meticulous planning so that he can apply architectural techniques and procedures to practice. Such independent judgment an architect normally acquires after a few years of work. He can select appropriate materials and experiment with methods of building and construction. Experienced and senior professionals in Architecture work on large assignments and generally have a team of junior architects, architectural assistants etc. They work as consulting managers, directing, inspecting and dealing with major technical issues, costing, legal decisions, etc. It takes 10 years and above to reach their positions. The prospective architect must know that creativity, total involvement in the assignment, imagination and sensitive perception along with skills of communication and management together go to make a successful architect.
Work Environment
Architects generally work in a comfortable environment. Most of their time is spent in offices advising clients, preparing reports and drawings, and working with other architects and engineers. However, they also often work at construction sites reviewing the progress of projects. It may be necessary to spend periods away from home and even live on-site if the location is in a remote area. Large firms also employ architects on overseas contracts for
varying lengths of time.
Personal Characteristics
Keen intelligence and many of the aptitudes and interests found in businessman, creative artists and scientists should be present in an aspirant for this field. They should be aware of and should appreciate the social and environmental factors that affect the use of the buildings they design.
Imagination and observation are assets for the architect which add dynamism to his professional skills. Self-discipline and authority are necessary in order to put across ideas, make decisions and influence people.
Architects deal with all types of people from a variety of backgrounds. They should be able to conduct themselves executive like during business transactions. Mathematical ability is required for working out design problems and building economics and costs. The work often involves dealing with legal documents or procedures, so architects must be able to understand complicated legal language related to the profession. On the site, workers need physical stamina and supervisory skills. Responsibility and accountability are also expected.
Special aptitudes
Ability to sketch -
Though not of utmost importance, it is always beneficial for architects to sketch a free hand plan while explaining to the client on seeing the site and having visualised the structure with every intricate detail. Basically after formulating the plan, the architect has to sell it to clients.
Flexibility and patience -
Leadership and ability to work with others is very important. Clients may reject or want some minor changes even when the final design has been approved. Flexibility and patience are required. Working in architectural organisations during summer vacation may be very beneficial.
Hardwork and perseverance -
Young architects may have to burn the midnight oil; but hardwork, determination and perseverance are the key words along with organisational abilities, communication skills, technical competence, keen sense of observation, appreciation of colours, proportions and building materials. Of course the most important quality still remains : making client’s visualise your vision through sketches and drawings.
Creative and aesthetic -
Architects are hard working determined, idealistic, emotional, creative, imaginative, original, practical, analytical, business like and methodical. They rate aesthetic qualities and beauty very highly and their dream is availability of a free environment where they can watch their dream developing into reality.
Employment Avenues
Architects work with Architectural firms, in enterpreneurial ventures and with Government. The present investment in the construction sector in India is 60,000 crores in both public and private sectors, which means that the country needs about 12,000 architects every year. With the best of efforts this figure could become 5000 in a few years. Here are some details of government bodies involved in construction.
Government organisations
There are various governmental and autonomous organisations associated with the construction industry which offer jobs to persons trained in construction management and Architecture. The work of some of them have been discussed in the following paragraphs:
Architects in urban development - Urban Development is the responsibility of the State. The Central Government performs an advisory and coordinating role besides providing technical and financial assistance. The Ministry of Urban Development is responsible for construction and maintenance of the Central government buildings, residential accommodation for Central government employees, and for the management of Central Government land and property.
Ministry formulates the policies with respect to housing, urban development and urban water supply etc. The Ministry has four attached and four subordinate offices, three public sector undertakings and four statutory or autonomous bodies under its administrative control.
Central Public Works Department -
Central Public Works Department is responsible for a wide range of works including selection of site, planning, designing, execution and monitoring, quality control and maintenance etc. It handles a wide range of projects such as housing and commercial complexes, educational institutions, sports complexes, hospitals, factories, hostels, airports, roads, bridges etc. It has developed considerable expertise in the fields of Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Air-conditioning Engineering, Architecture, Horticulture and Landscaping etc.
CPWD employs qualified engineers and architects. It has a Central Design Organization to undertake complex structural design work and also to provide consultancy services. CPWD has units all over India to take up construction works even in remote parts of the country. The department also undertakes assignments abroad for Indian aided projects, Hence, the CPWD is the principal agency of the Government of India for construction and maintenance of all Central Government projects.
National Building Organization -
The National Building Organization is under the administrative control of Ministry of Urban Development to promote research in building and housing. It integrates all incoming technological findings in the field of the low cost housing technology and their application in the field towards low cost construction and improved building quality in India. It is based at New Delhi.
Town and Country Planning Organization -
The Town and Country Planning Organization is the apex technical advisory body on matters relating to Urban and regional planning strategies, research, monitoring and evaluation of Central Government Schemes. It is based at New Delhi.
Institute of Town Planners, (4-A, Ring Road, I.P. Estate, New Delhi-110 002) conducts Associateship Examination. Application in February.
Eligibility - B.Arch, BE/B.Tech (Civil), B. Planning or equivalent or M.Sc./MA in
Geography/Sociology/Economics or Post Diploma in Town Planning.
Minimum 55% marks in the qualifying examination. Candidates should be engaged in town planning work.
Housing and Urban Development Corporation -
HUDCO is an apex housing body in the Public Sector with the objectives of providing long term finance for construction of houses, setting up of new or satellite towns, financing or undertaking the setting up of building material industries etc. HUDCO has developed low cost building technologies and introduced use of waste material for construction purposes. It is based at New Delhi.
National Building Construction Corporation Ltd. -
The National Building Construction Corporation Ltd., with its office in New Delhi, is engaged in the execution of a wide variety of civil construction contracts, e.g., roads, bridges, flyovers, industrial structures, water treatment plants, T.V. Towers, housing, hospitals, hotel and other commercial complexes etc. in India and abroad. The Corporation also undertakes jobs on turn key basis and provide consultancy services too.
Hindustan Prefeb Limited -
The company, based at New Delhi, looks after the manufacturing of pre-stressed cement concrete poles, water storage tanks as well as site construction works.
City Development Authorities -
The DDA was set up in 1957 for planned development of the Union Territory of Delhi. Similarly, at the state level and District level several agencies and societies are involved in various construction activities. Haryana Development Authority, Ghaziabad Development Authority, Meerut Development Authority etc. are working on the lines of DDA to develop their respective areas.
National Institute of Urban Affairs -
The National Institute of Urban Affairs, New Delhi, is an autonomous organisation for conducting research in urban development and administration. It has been responsible for collecting, processing and disseminating information in this regard. The Institute regularly interacts with national and international agencies.
Besides these organizations, various other institutes and agencies are responsible for construction work as well as manufacturing the raw material needed for construction need architects. At state level Public Works Departments are functioning on the lines of CPWD. State Housing Boards, Municipal Corporations, Cooperative Societies, Private Builders are functioning in this area at State and District level.
A number of research institutes such as Central Building Research Institute, Central Road Research Institute are involved in research and development in the field. Researches are conducted to invent new methods and techniques of construction so that the cost of construction may be minimised. Researches are also conducted to invent new equipments and good quality construction material.
