Architecture is a field of study, and being an Architect is a profession. Architecture is a creative profession that impacts the workings of the environment around people. It is an amalgamation of art, history, science, and technology, all of these aspects give architecture its meaning. There are 30 to 40 thousand architects who graduate annually in India, whereas the number of engineers and doctors is in lakhs. The reason behind this is the lack of knowledge among the people about Architecture. This profession is not widely celebrated even after being a professional course due to the unfortunate lack of respect and importance given to it. There are children around who love designing and have a creative curve toward architecture. Despite being an arduous course, the outcome of it is so filling.
Architecture is a 5-year course that teaches you about designing, planning, building construction, and the working of structures. The curriculum is planned in a way that covers types of building techniques and construction details that help an individual design a good, sustainable building. Anyone with a keen interest in the working of the building and designing should look into the course.
Before starting the 5-year long restless journey of Architecture, one should know all the facts about studying architecture. The following points give the gist of studying architecture:
1. This is it | Studying architecture
Architecture is a complex study that branches into so many aspects that one has to get acquired to play multiple roles as an Architect. The process of building a structure is not just limited to that but goes so much beyond it. The working style instilled in us since age six doesn’t apply here. One has to work tirelessly to complete the work. This educational program demands various skills that the students should be acquainted with. Day in and day out, something is waiting to be explored. Once you start learning and understanding architecture, you are committed to it. There won’t be a way out of this.
2. Trips and tours
A good deal of buildings and places are architecturally rich and have significance in society. These places have created a niche in everyone’s life that gives them respective admiration, and one can learn from these places to create something alike. One of the highlights of architecture school is the annual trips to new settlements, cities, and buildings. Visiting such sites has larger-than-life experiences that shape us into the Architects we become. This extensive study helps aspiring architects to understand how beautifully intricate the built life and souls are intertwined together. These fun roundabouts to new places are memories carried for life.
3. Deadlines | Studying architecture
Submissions. Submissions. Submissions.
One constant thing throughout architecture is Submissions. You are always on the clock to meet deadlines. One has to juggle between sheets, stationary, models, and scales only to reach college. One has to be mentally prepared to work on the given assignments. These assignments will be part of your Architectural portfolio and will be with you after the course—the social dynamics of one’s life change as one steps into architecture. Assignments are also related to the amount of stationery you will own. The trips to the stationary will be like a trip to a mall.
4. Competition
In this ever-growing age and time, the competition is cutthroat. One has to be their best at all times to land the desired internship/job. The arc of architecture is widespread; numerous avenues exist and are to be explored. The training for such a competitive world is learned in Architecture school. Amongst peers, one understands their unique selling point and creates a name for themselves. In architecture, one is always in flux with the learning process. There is no end to learning.
5. Physical and mental health
This creative field is filling for our souls, but it does have its share of physical and mental concerns. The long working hours, be it because of hand drafting or digital drafting, require a lot of energy to get the work done. The extensive working hours, sleepless nights, backache, and coffee addiction (can be tea, too) is something one has to go through in this rigorous 5-year span. While managing ten things at a time, one must also check their mental health.
As this course is a good balance between art and science, creating that balance is a challenging job and definitely can not be done in a day, the designs are critically graded in an architectural school, and the students are expected to do better. Dealing with this can be challenging.
6. Myths about architecture and architects | Studying architecture
A person pursuing architecture becomes an Architect. This needs to be said. There are quite a lot of myths that are associated with architecture. The biggest of all, ‘Architecture and Engineering are the same.’ No, it’s not. This common misconception has been passed on for decades and still will be there for a long time. ‘Architects should know how to draw and sketch’ I believe, Sketching is a way of expressing their thoughts, and it can be done in a way that the architect knows best. This way of representation is subjective and personal.
‘Architects are highly paid’ Again, this a common misconception, one which every architect hopes to be accurate, but unfortunately, it’s not. One has to work hard to get reasonable pay for all the work put into it.
Even if this is a creative, tiring, and chaotic process, this field of study changes your perspective in ways one can’t put into words. The impact of learning architecture stays with you lifelong. These superb examples are Zaha Hadid, Le Corbusier, Norman Foster, Raj Rewal, Antoni Gaudi, etc. The work done by them are pieces of art and has contributed so much to society. Similarly, an aspiring architect can learn and try to make this good world a much more beautiful place to live in.
References:
Harper, P. (2021) 11 things to know before starting architecture school, Architectural Review. Available at: https://www.architectural-review.com/today/11-things-to-know-before-starting-architecture-school (Accessed: November 19, 2022).
Onniboni, L. (2022) 12 things I wish I’d known before starting my studies in Architecture, Archiobjects. Available at: https://www.archiobjects.org/before-starting-my-studies-in-architecture/ (Accessed: November 19, 2022).
