Introduction:
Architecture, the science of building, is the
visualization of building blocks. It is the area of study which deals with the
designing and planning of buildings and structures and the spaces between them. Architecture
is a highly competitive and multi-disciplinary profession which involves a
variety of tasks at work. This is a field which covers various fields including
spatial design, aesthetics, safety management, material management etc.
Architects are the licensed professionals trained
in the art and science of building. They are involved in all the phases of the
building construction i.e the functional, safety, economical and has to satisfy
the needs of its occupants. They are responsible person for the planning,
designing and supervision of construction works for houses, office buildings,
skyscrapers, landscapes, and even entire cities. An Architect is a combination
of artist, professional and businessperson. They ideates, sketches, makes blueprints
of their designs and then sees them come to life as cottages, skyscrapers and
even monuments. Apart from designing and construction, architects are trained
in activities ranging from conceptual problem solving to project management.
Eligibility
& Course Areas:
Ø
A bachelor's degree in architecture (B.Arch)
or Diploma in architecture is needed to become a qualified architect. For
practical purposes there is no difference between the two qualifications.
Ø
The basic eligibility criteria for B.Arch is
10+2 (senior secondary Class XII) or equivalent referred to as the qualifying
examination from a recognized Board/University with a minimum of 50% marks in
Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics). Besides
this, the candidate must qualify an entrance examination.
Ø
Entrance Tests : Admission to
first year of Five years full time undergraduate course in Architecture
(Bachelor of Architecture) in various colleges of India is through National and
State level entrance examinations.
Ø
The CBSE (Central Board of Secondary
Education ) conducts a national level entrance examination- All
India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) on an
All India basis for entry to undergraduate programmed in B. Architecture and B.
Planning in government and private institutes. The paper consists of
Mathematics, an Aptitude Test and a Drawing test. The National
Aptitude test in Architecture (NATA), the online test with drawing exam is
conducted by the National Institute of Advanced Studies and Architecture in
association with the Council of Architecture (COA). NATA scores are used by
admissions authorities of different unaided & Government aided schools /
colleges of Architecture, to provide common measures for comparing the
qualifications of applicants. NATA measures aesthetic sensitivity, critical
thinking, perception, observation and architectural awareness.
Ø
Entrance to architecture programmed at the
Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT's) is through the national level Joint
Entrance Examination (JEE). Private institutes conduct entrance
exams of their own. Different states also hold separate entrance exams for
admission to architecture and engineering colleges in the state.
Ø
Duration & Course Content : The B.Arch
degree programmed is of 5 years duration and includes a period of practical
experience. The apprenticeship (usually for one semester) has to be done under
a practicing architect. The B. Arch degree prepares the theoretical foundations
and gives some practical insight on which a student later develops proficiency
and functional accuracy.
Ø
Apart from the degree course in B.Arch,
Diploma in architecture are also available in some institutes as either full time
or part time. It will take seven years to complete the part-time diploma
courses.
Ø
After completing B.Arch, the candidates if
they wish can go for post graduation i.e Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) which
is of 2 to 3 semester duration. At the postgraduate level one can specialise in
areas like construction management, town planning, interior design, naval
architecture, landscape designing, building engineering and management
etc.
Ø
Doctoral programmed (Ph.D) can be pursued
after M.Arch or with a B.Arch plus five years experience in professional
practice or teaching or research.
Job
Prospects & Career Options:
The main task of an architect is to design and
execute the plan for construction of any building or area. The job scenario
include site selection, field research and supervision, safety management,
quality control, environmental planning, estimating and costing, supervision of
construction work, interior decoration etc.
They are also employed in industrial ventures,
consultancy and private architectural firms, teaching institutions, real estate
development firms etc. The most privileged scope in the field of architecture
is private practice. With some years of experience in an organisation, the
architects can set up their own business.
Architectural practices or individual
architects may choose to specialize in one of a number of areas such as
housing, hospital or educational facilities.
A qualified architect, to work as a consultant or
to set up private practice, must register with the Council of Architecture
before starting their profession.
Remuneration:
A fresh architectural graduate working as a trainee
with established architects, starts with a salary of Rs. 4000 - 7000 per month.
With in a short span of time, the earnings can rise up to Rs.10,000- 20,000 per
month depending upon the experience and the work involved. In the
government sectors, the pay scale is not as lucrative as the private sector,
since it is set according to the rules by the government. The Council of
Architecture has laid down a standard scale of remuneration for services.
In this field, individuals practicing through their
own firm could earn a lot, and this could be from thousands to lakhs.
Consultants charge anywhere between 4 and 10 per cent of the total cost of
construction in case of apartments and multi storied buildings. They charge
15-20 per cent of the total cost of construction in the case of independent
houses and bungalows.
Courses:
» B.
Arch. (Architecture)
» B.E.
Naval Architecture
» B.Tech.
Architectural Engineering
» Diploma
in Architectural Assistantship
» Diploma
in Architecture (Dip. Arch)
» M.
Arch (Architecture)
