SEMINAR: PRACTICE

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS ACT 1972

Chapter ii- Council of Architecture
Clause 14: Recognition of qualifications granted by authorities in India.
The first part of this clause explains that the qualification of the cadet shall be a
recognized qualification and shall be included in the Schedule or notified under section
15. This section approves of the qualifications which are undertaken in the Universities
approved by COA and fall under its list. The list of recognized universities is provided by
COA for India and abroad universities.
Any authority in India which grants an architectural qualification and not included in the
schedule, must apply to the Central government to have a qualification recognized. The
central government after consulting with the council, may by notification in the official
gazette, amend the schedule and include such qualification therein. Such notification
may also direct that such entry should be made in the Schedule against the architectural
qualification declaring that it should be a recognized qualification.

Chapter iii- Registration of Architects

Clause 23: Preparation and Maintenance of Register.
The Central Government should be prepared in a manner and provided with a register of
architects of India. The Council of Architecture through its constitution should maintain
the register in accordance with the provisions of this act. The register shall include all the
particulars such as:

Full name, D.O.B., Nationality and Address of the Architect.

Qualification for registration and the date he obtained it and authority which
confirmed it.
The date of first admission to register
Professional Address
More particulars could be provided by the rules.

KARAN SINGH 1

SEMINAR: PRACTICE

Architectural Practice_2040
Architectural Practice, is most importantly run by ethics and morals. The moral worth of
architecture is what we take from society and gives it back. As architects we are gonna
deal with real life issues and situations which as a young architect I am not aware of. But
what is important to realize that sometimes issues are often bigger than us but if we face
them we have a chance to grow, in the end we may never solve them. As an architect we
have face them and address them, not run away from them.
Architectural practice gives you an opportunity to explore and innovate, where there is a
set time frame, again a constraint which pushes you to polish yourself as an architect.
While training what I have I learnt is, it doesnot matter how big your firm is but we must
do every single project regardless of how small and big project it is. Because there is a
learning in every single project you come across. We must be comfortable in designing
from a small piece of furniture to large scale urban project. Thats a skill which one
should address to and learn. It is important for us to be updated with knowledge,
Innovations and Technology and to know with what pace we are moving forward in this
world. Otherwise we wont last in the long run. One should explore, observe, analyse,
assimilate and reflect.
The practice as I see under my supervision, will not only be in designing while sitting in
office and managing sites with contractors and labourers but also in the field of
Structures and Construction. I would like to bridge the gap between Contractor and
Architect, having the same firms under one roof. Another aspect which I am gonna
include in my practice is the Architectural Innovations and Advanced Technology, i.e. a
research lab which includes all three practices of Architecture, Structures and
Construction in both vernacular and contemporary. I prefer to use vernacular techniques
over the contemporary ones, as they have less carbon footprint, affordable and simple
solutions to complex problems. In this profession, Clients play a very important role. No
project is important than the client who commissions it. They can limit an architects
work capabilities as well as encourage him. I have seen where client restricts and limits
an architects work to just boxes, because sometimes they do not want be convinced and
listen to you and your ideas.
The Architectural Practice with its boom and at the peak where, 100 Smart Cities are
proposed in India. And abroad firms find India a place to for the setup and opportunity.
No doubt there will be a lot of exchange of ideas and learning in the process, but there is
a fear of what is gonna happen and what affect it could have in the architectural
practice. Its too early to say as we are in a process of this change.

KARAN SINGH 2

SEMINAR: PRACTICE

Competition Selection Criteria and Processes

The two competitions briefs been read by me so far are:

Nalanda University
Spiretec Competition

It is very evident in both the briefs is that there is similarity in explaining the History,
richness of Context, Vision and the project itself. But the selection Criteria and Processes
depend on how big a project is. In competitions the Selection Criteria and Processes are:
The Senior Architect of the firm must be registered under Council of Architecture for
atleast a period of 5 years.
The practice of the Architect should also be for a period of 5 years.
The architect or the Architectural firm must have had carried within last three years,
design and supervision of
1. Regarding what the project is about
2. The related project with not less than specified area.
3. Atleast done some related buildings of a required plinth area
4. A turnover of the Architectural Firm should be for three consecutive years not
less than the 30% of quoted architectural fee regarding that project.
Certified copies of above said things should be provided for to be eligible in such
competitions.
The Competitions Processes are:

Objective
Registration
Submission requirements to be uploaded on website.
Schedule
Site Visit
Jury Processes
Awards and Citations
Rules
Eligibility
Anonymity
Return of Entires
Ownership and Copyrights
Exhibition and Publication
Disqualification
Disputes

KARAN SINGH 3