UNMASKING THE ARCHITECTURE COURSE
In today’s digital era, both conceptions and misconceptions about subject accumulate so heavily that one gets convinced. In the subject of academics and education, it’s hard to look past the marketing to get to the truth.
ASK.
Trust humans, ask people in the line.
While
Architecture is all about the clichés around creativity and the NATA scores on
the outside, it is so much more from the inside.
1. Architecture isn’t all about the
sketches that get you past NATA.
The
qualifying examination for Architecture, NATA, involves both drawing skills and
aptitude. The challenge with the exam is the understanding of perception and
logic that reflect with your hand’s skills- How well you can bring your
imagination into a visually comprehensive work. This is the first step, an
evergreen part of Architectural life, yet not the dominant one as it might seem
in the 1st year of architectural course.
Architecture is holistic.
2. There is always room for
improvisation.
Starting new
with the entrance and academic scores can bring a sense of doubt within an
individual, but there is always time and new set of challenges coming with the
next semesters, that help you find your area of strength. Someone who is not
very innovative with concepts can find his strength with the practicality in
project management zones.
Every new
thing learnt adds value to your individual skills and sharpens expertise.
The Quote “Practice makes a man
perfect.” Shouldn’t be under-rated.
3. Thinking out of the box is a
cliché.
In the
search of new ‘extraordinary ideas’
the essence in the ‘ordinary’ people
for whom an architectural piece is designed, cannot be lost. Any design, before
being a revolutionary one, has to be true to its context and meet the unique
needs of the user group. The creative approach to meeting those unique needs is what makes a design
revolutionary.
4. There’s a whole wide world outside
your College/University.
Human brains
are influential. When you stay inside your classrooms and search for ‘ideas’,
it’s not going to work. Your academic environment will reflect it’s own style
of architectural practice on you right from mode of reviews till architectural
inspirations. So if you strive to find your
own style, get ready to explore the real world, meet new people, know the
various stories revolving around architecture and frame your own perception of
likes & dislikes and your part in this field.
EXPLORE & OBSERVE.
Get your perception moulded by the
world.
5. Competitions keep you competitive.
Apart from
the academic challenges it is the other competitions that inculcate knowledge
and diversity in you. Participating in various student competitions get your
know & understand the strength of your peers and get ready for the
competition you will have to face at professional level. It also boosts the
team-working spirit and enthusiasm with exposure to various practices witnessed
at the zonal conventions and student gatherings that keeps feeding the Architect in you.
Get ready to travel, compete and keep
finding the new.
6. Deadlines are deadly.
Every design
problem (as we call it) is need of solutions. And when solutions come into
picture, the time factor becomes the decider. Spontaneity along with Creativity
and expertise brings the dawn of design in
time. This requires extensive dedication that keeps you awake all night
thinking about the next step ‘your design’ could take. Night owl wouldn’t
be a new term and going to sleep after sunrise could go from a habit to a
routine. The typical ‘Architect lifestyle’ wouldn’t leave you anytime although
you could dare to try.
“If you want an easy life, DON’T be
an Architect.” –Zaha Hadid
7. Instead of being different, be
original.
Though
architectural fraternity might seem totally different with its peculiar way of
living, when it comes to ideas, it prefers originality over difference. The ideas
will have to be original - A reflection of the individual’s grown perception
over design, in order to establish a design that could have a voice of it’s
own. That way, difference is automatically conceived.
8. Academics = Profession is a wrong conception.
Academics
teach you Architecture but being an ‘Architect’ is your hit. While academics
add finesse to your raw creative mind, the profession of an Architect involves
a very holistic play. The scores don’t decide your job. Every architectural practice
is different with it’s own way of functioning and needs, that focus on the
needs of the category of clients they deal with. Job is how you fit with the
current professional needs. While your journey could also take you to the
allied design fields, the professional life entirely relies on you as a person
on that date and not your past.
“Talent is good. Practice is better.
Passion is the best.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
9. Staying up to date is mandatory.
Be it the
knowledge of current issues or the software expertise, Architects need updates.
And so do any other creative professionals. When the profession is client
based, it’s important to learn and grow with the growing mindsets of people to
understand their needs. With the digital technology taking over, the client
reach has found different modes that require updated software skills, smart
management skills etc.
10. The Architect Attitude takes you
over.
No matter
which position you seek in the architectural & allied field, the Architect
Attitude will inherit. The actual way of living, way of perceiving and every
other ‘way’ that could be named takes it’s shape with the past academic and
professional experiences of the person that remains unfaded. Along with skills,
confidence, spontaneity, eloquence and class add colors to the people dressed
in black. (The universal architect’s dressing code)
“I don’t
know why people hire Architects and tell them what to do.” –Frank O Gehry
Amidst
universal perceptions, the core value lies in the strength to break the stereotypes
and find your own version of being YOU.
To be an Architect is to be BOLD in
your own skin.
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