Architecture deals with the design, planning and construction of buildings and structures-, residential, commercial or industrial. It is a discipline that encompasses several diverse fields including, spatial design, aesthetics, safety management, material management etc.

With increasing demand for urban housing, planning of highways airports and other public convineces, the architects in India would surely have much to contribute.

Job profile

Architects are concerned with three main dimensions in their work

• Space
• Functionality
• Appearance

The functions of architects include

• Site selection
• Planning & design of the building
• Safety management
• Quality control
• Environmental planning
• Estimating & costing
• Supervision of construction work
• Interior decoration
• Restoration/remodeling of existing buildings
• Long-term land development

Personal attributes

To be a successful architect, one must possess the following qualities

• Excellent communication skills
• Three-dimensional space perception
• Drawing skills
• Abstract reasoning
• Visual memory
• Ability to work as a team
• Keen observation
• Sense of aesthetics
• Numerical ability

Undergraduate courses

Degree and diploma programmes in architecture are offered by colleges of architecture and architecture departments of engineering colleges.

The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree programme 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.

B.Arch. covers the following areas of study:

• Art (Drawing and painting)
• Acoustics
• Surveying and leveling
• Estimating and costing
• Methods of construction
• Materials management
• History of architecture
• Draftsmanship
• Applied mechanics
• Structural designing
• Computer applications (Some colleges teach architecture-related software packages such as AutoCAD and 3D Studio Max.)

The alternative to a degree programme in architecture is a diploma. Diploma programmes are available as either full time course or part time course. However, part time diploma courses in some institutes take as long as seven years to complete.