Professional Documents
Culture Documents
career. Its not only about designing habitats but an individuals effort to create a balance
between his dreams and reality.
What's it about?
Architecture is the study which deals with planning and designing of building and structures.
Architects are involved in designing a variety of structures such as houses, apartments and
colonies, offices and industrial complexes, hospitals, hotels, airport terminals, stadiums,
shopping and commercial complexes, schools, etc.
They provide professional services to individuals and organisations not only regarding new
constructions but also for alterations and renovations. Further specialisation in the field can be
in industrial design, urban design, landscape architecture, town planning, environmental
planning, and transport planning, etc. Postgraduate courses in these areas are open to BArch
degree/diploma holders
Clock Work
9.30am: Reach office using the car pool
11am: Discuss status of a project with colleagues
Noon: At the drawing board. Sketch out ideas
2pm:
On the computer; transfer paper sketches onto the computer
5pm:
Discuss outcome with seniors; re-do or finalise sketches
7pm:
Leave for home if work is complete
The Payoff
Pay packages depend on the type of employment taken up. Private consultancy in architecture
can fetch the highest returns. As a starter, you can expect a salary of R20,000 and in two to
three years, about R40,000
Skills
. Understanding peoples needs is at the core of the work
. An aspirant should be a creative artist with an interest in designing
. Ability to sketch free-hand plan though not of utmost importance is beneficial while
explaining intricate details of the structure to clients
. Imaginative outlook
. Awareness of social and environmental factors
. Apart from being technically sound, good mathematical ability is important as the work
involves working out cost estimations
. Good communication skills; physical stamina to work on the desk as well as on site
How do i get there?
. Anybody who has studied physics, maths and chemistry at the 10+2 level can apply for
admission. BArch is a five-year programme. Most schools and colleges
select students through a written test. On completion of the bachelors programme, you can
study architecture at the postgraduate level also.
. Entrance test for BArch programmes: The Central Board of Secondary Education conducts a
built form for the lowest strata of society to the high-end of the spectrum. Architecture varies
and there is enough to keep one going.
Whats the pay off (in terms of salary at different levels)?
It is an extremely ill-defined market which hugely depends on demand, skill and reputation. The
starting pay is around R3 lakh a year and goes up as per your skills and experience. It also varies
from company to company.
What skills must students desirous of taking up architecture as a career have?
Passion for design, perseverance, long-term goals and a keen interest in technology, sociology,
science and computation.
What are the high and lows points of the profession?
On the brighter side, it allows you to stay young as every project has a new learning and lets
you to live your dreams through design. Its not a regular nine-to-five job and instead takes over
life in its entirety and becomes an integral part of your life.
On the other side, it offers less remuneration as compared to finance-related fields maybe,
although it involves the same hard work and rigour. Also, the profession does not really allow
for flexibility, part-time work or work from home options due to the nature of the work.
Whats your advice to youngsters keen on becoming architects?
Persistence, hard work, initiative, enthusiasm and interest towards design and the built
environment.
Sonali Rastogi, director, Morphogenesis interviewed by Vandana Ramnani