Nagpur: A rapidly developing country like India needs sustainable infrastructure. This makes
architecture one of the most sought-after careers today.
The five-year degree course can be pursued after appearing for JEE mains and NATA entrance examination, inclusive of compulsory drawing test. As opposed to general perception, great drawing and sketching skills do not guarantee success as an architect, but an analytical mind with good imagination does.
The five-year course and one year compulsory internship equip students with technicalities, but passion and patience go a long way to set foot in the industry.
“Architecture is a highly creative course that requires vivid imagination. Having said that, it also a very practical field that demands new creation every day, so time management is a must. Sky is the limit for students who are passionate, keen observers and possess reasoning abilities,” says Sheeba Valsson, principal of Shri Datta Meghe College of Architecture.
Architecture leads to lucrative job prospects including landscape, interior, product, urban and set designing to name a few. Students can also explore architectural journalism and criticism — a gold mine for those possessing flair for writing.
“Mainstream architecture journals and magazines require services of professionals. So, writing about buildings and architecture while pursuing academics can give a head start to career. Later on, one can take up specialization that further enhances skills,” says Priya Choudhary, publication cell in-charge at Smt Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture.
All professionals vouch that architects can earn handsomely but only after considerable toil. One of the leading architects of city, Virendra Khare warns against the idea of pursuing architecture just for filling one’s pockets. “The fast food generation today wants quick money, but architecture is a field of patience and immense hard work,” he says.
For Habeeb Khan, architecture is a mix of art, creativity and science. He believes the field makes a person versatile through its extensive course, “which is absolutely essential today since we carry the responsibility of shaping a society”. “Nagpur is a rapidly growing city and, undoubtedly, the opportunities are abundant, but metro cities have more exposure which is necessary for your growth,” he says.
INFORMATION GFX
Why opt for architecture
* Breaking away from the monotony of desk jobs
* Highly stimulating field, keeps creative juices running
* Plethora of avenues open with one degree
* Immensely satisfying field
* Maximum travelling opportunities across globe
Expert view
Innovate, be original to leave a mark
Ujwala Chakradeo
Architecture, also known as the social art, is a blend of arts and science, and allows you to explore various forms of lifestyles. The five-year course teaches you to combine imagination with technologies. Graduates can even opt for offbeat careers in photography and work as set designers for movies.
A building is vigilantly planned according to the climatic and geographical conditions, and the course includes topics that teach these nuances.
There is a huge misconception among parents and students that an artistic person fares well in architecture, but in reality it’s an analytical field that needs creativity and keen observing abilities. There are various software to make your drawings look artistic. To succeed in the industry and leave your mark, innovation and originality are must.
Freshers need to pay heed to strengthening their attributes rather than seeking bigger commercial projects during their initial years of struggle. Just like any other field, they have to work hard in architecture before they can set their foot in the market and make big money.
Apart from existing ventures, the city has Mihan which can completely change the industry scenario. Patience and persistence are the virtues that an architect needs to have, and hard work will eventually reap fruits in professional life.
Freelancers too have great career prospects but they need to meet the industry standards.
(Ujwala Chakradeo is the principal of Smt Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture, Nagpur)
Interview by Tejas Mundhada
List of colleges
Admission process
Centralized, based on JEE mains and NATA scores
Tenure
Four-year course + 1 year compulsory internship for B Arch; 2 years M Arch
* Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
Course | Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
Intake | 62
* Smt Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture
Course | BArch, MArch and PhD in architecture
Intake | 120 for B Arch, 20 for M Arch and 20 for PhD in architecture
* Institute of Design Education and Architectural Studies
Course | BArch and MArch
Intake | 120 for BArch and 20 for MArch
Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies
Course | BArch
Intake | 120
Shri Datta Megha College of Architecture
Course | BArch
Intake | 80
(This list is not exhaustive and should not be considered as the endorsement of the institute. Students are advised to check with relevant education authorities before taking admission)
Professionals quotes
I was passionate about creative things which I showcased through architecture. The field is about exploring new
Stuti Pincha
I wanted to design creative lifestyles. Dedication, hard work and passion are keys to success in this field
Pranav Pathrabe
Architecture is an unconventional field with lots of responsibility. One should be willing to learn new skills and designs
Kaustubh Deoghare
Architecture enables me to not only design but also market my skills and experience. The field requires creative thinking and logic
Parul Nilakhe
The vastness of human culture has always intrigued me. Patience and consistency can take an architect a long way
Sarang Jaju
(Interviews by Vaidehi Kolhe)
