Architecture as an activity, combines both sides of the brain in equal measure, simultaneously involving mathematics/technology, creative problem-solving, and the aesthetic, at every stage of its creation. As a profession, it remains intensely exciting, fulfilling and rewarding and (if you are the right person,) shall be so all through your life.
So what does it take to be an architect, both in terms of ability, and in terms of functioning within the profession, being a creator, builder, designer, and then, an entrepreneur, managing a project?
We shall explore the essential tenets of design, and experience them in practical ways: Geometry, form color space, drawing, observation.
Creativity, analysis and problem-solving skills. We shall learn about Structure and Materials why different materials are used in specific situations, and how availability of material affects structural decisions. How geography, climate affect building choices and design. We shall experience the psychology of buildings; via analysis and empathy We shall also look at some conventions of drawing, softwares used, hand drawing, and how we present our work as architects.
We shall explore many architectural projects through history, to understand how they came into being, their conceptualisation and materialization, and we shall examine end products in terms of the user, analyzing how and why buildings succeed or fail.
In the process, we shall get an idea of how man has responded to the world around him through the ages, looking at how cultural situations; socio-anthropological, prevailing aesthetic notions in that place affect architectural choices, as equally do the geographical context, climate, availability of materials, prevailing technology, and costs amongst other factors.
We will see how architecture has developed differently, specifically, in various parts of the world, at different points in time. We shall also interact with contemporary architects and their work.
| Employer | Position | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Worked with K.T Ravindran | Architect-planner | 1988-1990 |
| Solo Architectural practice full time, and part-time thereafter | - | 1990-2020 |
| Teaching Studio, and history, at School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi | - | 1995 |
| School of Planning, New Delhi | Guest Lecture | 2000 |
| Invited to juries at the School of Planning & Architecture | - | 2015-2019 |
| Ashoka University | Visiting Faculty | 2017-2023 |
