What are the skills required to do well in this career?
A strong foundation of multi-disciplinary enabling skills related to space, construction environments and aesthetics are essential for succeeding in this profession. Among others, these skills include drawing, architectural presentation, research and writing, critical thinking, computer applications, technical and managerial aptitudes in problem definition and solution seeking.
What are the various professional paths in this career?
Architecture is concerned with the design and construction of buildings in their sociological, technical and environmental contexts. There is an increasing recognition of architecture as one of the top intellectual disciplines, an art form, and a technical profession intimately linked with the single largest sector of investment in the economy. Architects are called upon to design and execute building projects and resolve other issues related to the manmade environment in a variety of settings.
Which are the top institutes to study Architecture?
School of Planning and Architecture (SPA, Delhi)
It offers two courses:
Bachelor of Architecture: The curriculum is structured for five years and is divided into two stages. The first stage consists of three years of full-time study followed by practical training in professional offices or at construction sites for 20 weeks. The second stage consists of full-time study for one and a half year, whereby each student is required to write a research-based dissertation, prepare for a seminar and present a design thesis along with the advanced level of compulsory and elective theory courses. This course is approved by the Indian Institute of Architects, the Council of Architecture, and the Commonwealth Association of Architecture.
Bachelor of Planning: It is a four-year programme. Upon graduation the students are recruited as professional planners in town and country planning offices.Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, has accorded approval to this programme.
Candidates who have completed their 10+2 studies with Mathematics as compulsory subject and 50% minimum marks in the 10+2 qualifying examinations are eligible for admission to the above-mentioned courses. Seats are allotted based on theperformance in the JEE Main examination.
Sir JJ College of Architecture (Mumbai)
It offers a four-year Bachelor of Architecture course. Eligibility is at least 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and also at least50% marks in aggregate of the 10+2 level examination; Or passed 10+3 diploma examination with Mathematics as compulsory subject with at least 50%marks in aggregate.Admission is on the basis of performance in NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture), conducted by the Council of Architecture. From 2019, NATA will be held twice a year. The first phase of the exam will be held tentatively in mid-April while the second phase of the exam will be conducted in the first week of July. Aspirants will have the choice of appearing in one or both the attempts. NATA measures drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability that have been acquired over a long period of time, and that are related toArchitecture.
Structure of NATA id given below:
Chandigarh College of Architecture (Chandigarh)
It offers a 5-year course in Bachelor of Architecture. Eligibility for application is minimum 50% marks in 10+2 with Mathematics as a compulsory subject. Admission is through Chandigarh Engineering and Architecture Counselling based on rank obtained in JEE Mains Paper-2.
IIT Kharagpur
It offers a 5-year course in Bachelor of Architecture.Eligibility for application is minimum 75% marks in 10+2; mandatory subjects being Physics andMathematics. In addition to mandatory subjects, candidate should also have studied Chemistry/Biotechnology/ Biology/ Technical Vocational Subject/H.S.C. Vocational Examination.Candidates should either fulfil minimum aggregate marks requirement or should be among top 20 percentile in the 12th class examination conducted by the respective Boards. Admission is on the basis of performance in JEE Advanced.
BIT Mesra (Ranchi, Bihar)
It offers a 5-year course in Bachelor of Architecture. Eligibility for application is minimum 50% marks in 10+2 with Mathematics as a compulsory subject.; candidates must have studied Language, Physics, Mathematics, any one of Chemistry/Biology /Biotechnology/Technical Vocational Subject.Admission is through performance in JEE Mains.
Jamia Milia Islamia University (New Delhi)
Jamia Millia Islamia in the only Central university having the full fledge Faculty of architecture & Ekistics.It offers a 5-year course in Bachelor of Architecture.Eligibility for application is minimum 75% marks in 10+2 with Mathematics as a compulsory subject.Admission is through performance in JEE Main Examination.
National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu)
It offers a 5-year course in Bachelor of Architecture. Eligibility for application is minimum 75% marks in 10+2 with Mathematics as a compulsory subject. Admission is based on the performance in the 12th or equivalent qualifying examination and in the Joint Entrance Examination, JEE(Main).
Manipal Institute of Technology (Manipal, Karnataka)
It offers a 5-year course in Bachelor of Architecture. Eligibility to apply is passed in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & English from a recognized Board, with minimum 50 % marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (individually) and also 50 % aggregate marks or equivalent, of the 10+2 level examination OR passed 10+3 diploma Examination with Mathematics as compulsory subject with at least 50% marks in aggregate.Candidates must have a valid NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) score conducted by Council of Architecture (COA) or JEE Mains Paper II score.
What are the prospects in this career?
Planning, development and management of human settlements is becoming an increasingly important task. As a result of technological advancements and integration of societies and economies of the world, planning of cities and regions has become very complex. Professionally trained town and country planners are therefore needed in order to evolve new options for the development and management of human settlements. This applies not only to the planning of metropolitan areas but also to small cities, towns and villages.Architecture professionals find rewarding employment in planning, design and construction industries. They can contribute in City Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Construction Management.
Can you give some useful links to explore this career in greater detail?
