“Architecture” the first thing that the mind grasps is something related to art and drawing. Most people aren’t even sure if it is a technical degree. The presumptions start with statements like it has nothing to do with mathematics, so it is not technical, or it would be an easy course because all they have to do is draw art and beautiful structures. They have to be creative, and it is only for artistic people.
Little less do they know what this course demands.
When he first heard about it, it was winter back home, he was still figuring out what he had to do in his life and what stream to choose. He had already dropped a year and still was confused about what to choose. He wasn’t committing to his choices; they used to change every day. By chance, he met an architect who was his cousins’ friend, and while talking about the field and work related to it, he knew that this was something that he wanted to do. So, he chose it; his family was happier than him on his decision, as they had assumed that he might give up on the college idea on the whole. But he remembers what the architect told him that day, “choose it only if you are really interested; if not, you’ll curse and abuse me about what I got you into.” he couldn’t quite understand the statement at that time, but it gave him an idea that all might not be good and easy about architecture.
So, after joining college, he immediately realized that he was different from other streams. They were more structural, limited in-class timing, holidays, and exams, while his system was totally different. It made him feel unique and important for some time until the reality hit him.
He feels like architecture is an excellent course, the best degree; nothing is more flexible, free, and comfortable than this. Then comes submissions, and he starts to feel the demands, then comes BMC sheets, he feels stretched, after that structures, and the presumption of no mathematics goes away. The trust begins fading away, it’s a whole show, they suddenly start realizing after working for two entire nights during design jury, that this is not what they thought it was. They start asking themselves why did they choose this course at first? It happens almost on every design jury.
So, after you know and see what you bought, you start to adjust according to its demands. Architecture, to me, is like marriage. Your wife is more dominant, plus you have cunning in-laws who come every year to appreciate your incapability to handle the relationship and give you review and advice. So, as a whole, you realize that this is no standard degree. It would help if you were right and well acquainted with everything.
Architecture is a fantastic field only if you are interested; otherwise, it would be torture [same in marriage]. It is a diverse field, and also, there is a lot to explore. You learn a lot of technical skills, communicational skills, and much more. You are pushed to your limits, both physically and mentally. This course demands full commitment and responsibility. Multi-tasking is a significant skill that you learn during the period.
It teaches a lot about life as a whole, things like negotiation, handling pressure, respect, loyalty, relationships with people, dealing with people, communication, human psychology, social aspects, and the list go on.
It’s not all bad; there is a right side of it too. The satisfaction you get after your work is completed, and when you assess how far you have come along and how much you have learned is unexplainable. Technically you are well equipped with a lot of computer software, drafting skills, designing, measurements, basic construction knowledge, management skills, communication skills, model making skills, presentation skills, it’s a whole package. Non technically, you are equipped with a better understanding of the situation and people, patience, respect, loyalty, the importance of time and sleep, work culture, commitment.
After the first year, you are addicted to it, the work, the pressure, the presentations, everything becomes a part of life. It sounds odd, but it’s the truth that you feel stressed sometimes if you don’t have work.
Architecture has taught me how to approach life, its problems, and to find solutions to it.
