Architecture

Architects are the magicians behind aesthetically and beautifully designed buildings all over the world. From ancient temples to hyper-modern skyscrapers, they always speak of their time and place but yearn for timelessness.

Architecture is the planning, designing and construction of buildings and an architect is the person who acts as a creative problem solver. A career in architecture is attractive, lucrative and has lots of potential in terms of development.

Future Scope for a Career in Architecture

• The next few decades will see a boom in construction in Indian cities. Around 70 % more constructions are expected within the next few years. At present, only around 1.2 lakh architects are in India. This gap between demand and supply will create huge opportunities for architects and building designers. 
• Experienced architects can work independently and function as consultants and contractors.
• You can also work with construction companies, builders and consultancies.
• Government organisations, institutes and agencies like state departments, housing boards and local bodies also recruit architects for construction works.
• Architects have work options in urban planning and urban development corporations.
• Architects can work in the Archaeological Survey of India for assisting the department in the renovation of buildings and certain excavated objects.
• Military Engineer Services, under the Ministry of Defence- one of India’s largest government infrastructure development agencies employs architects for the construction works.
• Specialised magazines employ architects as their architectural journalists for content creation.
• With the current development of climate change, floods, heatwaves and hurricanes, there will be more job opportunities for architects who specialise in extreme weather conditions. 
• Architects have a future in the film industry as Art directors for building film sets and managing the art department.

Skills Required to Study Architecture

• Ability to sketch
• Creative mind
• Mathematical skills
• Problem-solving skill
• Analytical skills
• Communication skill

Careers in Architecture

Traditional career options

• • Architect
  • Urban Designer
  • Landscape Architect
  • Interior Architect
  • Urban Planner
  • Project Manager
  • Housing Consultant
  • Architecture Teacher

 Non-traditional career options

• • Architectural Journalist
  • Architectural Historian
  • Art Director
  • Architectural Critic
  • Architectural Photographer
  • Architectural renderer
  • Architectural Documentation
  • Design auditor 

Eligibility to Pursue a Degree in Architecture

Students who passed 10+2 from recognized institutions under the science stream can apply for a bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

Entrance Examinations

• The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) – is a national-level examination for admission to undergraduate courses in architecture conducted by the  National Institute of Advanced Studies in Architecture (NIASA).
• Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) – entrance exam for admissions to architecture programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
• For admission to IITs, a score in the top 1.5 Lakh in JEE(main)+JEE(advanced)+Aptitude test for architecture is necessary
• For admission to NITs, JEE(main)+Aptitude test for architecture

Top Colleges/Universities in India and Abroad to Study Architecture

• Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
• Harvard University, US
• University of California, US
• Manchester School of Architecture, UK
• University of Cambridge, UK
• Sir JJ College of Architecture, India
• Chandigarh College of Architecture, India
• IIT Roorkee, India
• NIT Tiruchirappalli, India
• R V School of Architecture, India
• Indian Institute of Technology West Bengal, India
• Indian Institute of Technology Uttarakhand, India
• School of Planning and Architecture, India

Famous People Connected With Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright

Wright is considered the greatest architect of all time. His most notable projects include The Guggenheim Museum in New York City and Fallingwater Residence in Mill Run.

Zaha Hadid 

Zaha Hadid was the first woman architect who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize and ranked 69th in the Forbes list of most powerful women in 2008.

Top Institutions that Employ People in this Field

Government Organisations

• • Public Works Department
  • Archaeological Department
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Department of Railways
  • Post and Telegraphs
  • Public Sector Undertakings
  • National Building Organization
  • Town and Country Planning Organization
  • National Institute of Urban Affairs
  • Housing and Urban Development Corporation

Private Sector

• Architect Hafeez Contractor
• Dar Al Handasah
• RSP Architects Ltd
• Arcop
• Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd.
• DLF
• Raj Rewal Associates
• Gaursons India
• C P Kukreja Associates
• Oscar & Ponni Architects
• Kembhavi Architecture Foundation
• Shilpa Architects
• Christopher Charles Benninger Architects
• Somaya & Kalappa Consultants