Remember the first time your college faculty asked you why you chose to study Architecture? Well, I sure do. Just the thought of the answer is a point of great amusement. From calling it the profession that ‘fascinates’ and ‘inspires’ human behavior the most, to recognizing and experiencing its hardships first hand, the answer goes through a series of changes as it subjects itself to an array of harsh critiques and on-ground experiences to become a very different version of itself over the years.
In a country like India, where the subject is not discussed enough before taking admission in an undergraduate course, it becomes imperative to discuss it from the point of view of someone who has experienced the process from the beginning through the end, to gain useful insights to keep in mind whenever the subject is approached further on.
Observation is Key
The first, most important, point to remember is to observe. We are surrounded by a multitude of objects, spaces, and a variety of people (the end-users of almost all spaces). We often fail to notice simple details that critically affect and influence design decisions.
The more we observe how people use spaces, how they move between spaces, how they respond to materials, and how a dialogue between the built and the users take shape, the better we can address the challenges of a design brief. Observation essentially creates an opportunity to be more sensitive to details right on from the early stages of design so that better results are achieved.
Communication is essential: Not verbally, but rather artistically
Architecture as a process starts in the mind. It starts with a thought, an idea. A possible solution for a problem. But it cannot sustain in thought. For it to find real-time use and for it to be able to put on the face of a fully usable and functional piece of design it needs to be communicated.
Thoughts need to be communicated in the form of drawings or a form that is understandable by others -that is self-explanatory. Sketching, making three-dimensional visualizations of the design, physical models, design simulations, etc., are all essential tools in giving the thought—the idea—a physical form that attracts potential users and gains their confidence into using it.
In the initial years of training as students, often a certain “burden” is experienced when asked to sketch, make physical models, and/or make a large number of presentation sheets. What students don’t recognize is that they are the easiest ways of communication of a design. So, think well before the next time you refuse to make a drawing!
The importance of Collaboration
Architecture is a multidisciplinary subject. It is impossible to associate any building existing in isolation as a built mass completely disconnected from its immediate surroundings and people. It is, therefore, necessary to be aware of the developments taking place in every field that directly or indirectly affects architectural decisions.
It is almost incorrect to expect aspects such as materiality, landscape, energy efficiency, or human psychology to magically adjust themselves into the blunt mass/ built form. Architects must equip themselves with the required knowledge beforehand to not produce a faulty piece of design unfit for use.
The process of design is as important as the result
Or sometimes even more! We very rarely give importance to the process of design in comparison to the result. We are very often motivated to work for deadlines and are pressurized to make good “presentations” in the end but are not sensitized about the importance of the middle stages of design. It is more the process that defines the true quality and character of the end design and less the result itself.
The process of evaluating pre-existing entities and making multiple feasible options, the process of coming up with reasons for rejecting some of those options, the process of justifying the chosen options, and the process of integrating multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional aspects of design into one final product form the most crucial stages of learning in an architecture college. They almost invariably highlight the deciding factors of any design and help structure future design projects better. This may even take the pressure off of deadlines and make the course more enjoyable!
To be curious is to be informed
In the end, the most important aspect to make it through a grueling course like Architecture is to stay curious. It is not possible that every student of architecture is passionate about it in a similar fashion but given the wide variety of subjects that architecture covers there is enough room for every creative mind to carve a niche out for themselves.
But for that to occur smoothly a certain personal dedication to be disciplined and curious about the subject itself is necessary. As mentioned above observation is key. Observe well and question a lot! In the end, it is ever more important to remember that college is just the beginning of a much larger process. It is too fun a place to explore rather than forcefully live up to deadlines.
