PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

LECTURE - I
January 24, 2018

ARCHITECTURE AS A PROFESSION
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR TODAY’S SESSION

1. OVERVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

2. ARCHITECTURE AS A PROFESSION IN INDIA

3. WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

4. BEING AN ARCHITECT
- WHO IS AN ARCHITECT
- ROLE OF AN ARCHITECT
- MORAL RESPONSIBILITY OF AN ARCHITECT TOWARDS HIS PROFESSION

5. NEED AND ESSENCE OF THE ARCHITECT’S ACT 1972

OVERVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

The Architecture of India is

rooted in its history, culture
and religion.

Indus Valley Civilization was

one of the earliest civilizations
in the world.
And it is evident from various
findings on different
archeological sites that those
civilizations were very rich and
strong architecturally!

-Cities planned on grid-iron

pattern
-Proper sewage/drainage
system
-Well ventilated and climatically
responsive buildings
-Levels of hierarchy in the
society can be clearly seen in
the architecture as well.
Moenjodaro-CITY PLANNING/SPACE PLANNING
Harappan towns and cities showed extraordinary levels of standardization
OVERVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

We even have a complete set of rule-books written by ancient ‘architects’ in India,

which is popularly known as VASTU SHASTRA

The literal translation of the word VASTU SHASTRA is “SCIENCE OF

ARCHITECTURE”

These are texts found on the

Indian subcontinent that
describe:
principles of design
Layout
Measurements
ground preparation
space arrangement
spatial geometry.
OVERVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

Now a days, Vastu Shastra is often confused

with some rigid rules, however, in-depth study
of the texts prove that it is nothing but………..

Ideas and concepts for organization of

spaces within a building or a group of
buildings, based on their function and
relation to each other.

Charles correa’s Jawahar Kala kendra

based on Vastu Shastra Mandala
OVERVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

The architectural heritage of India got stronger still with the advent of different
‘INVADERS’ .
The Mughal invaders not only encouraged to build in the Mughal style but the process
later on lead to development of a new architectural style which is known as “Mughal
Architecture”.
The Indo-Saracenic Revival was an architectural style movement by Indian British
architects in the late 19th century in British Raj
The European invaders (Portuguese, French, British) all left a mark on the
architecture of India and lead to a confluence of multiple styles of architecture.
-The Portuguese and French built many churches in India
- The British built thousands of administrative and residential buildings, popularizing
the development of Colonial Architecture in India

Taj Mahal Fatehpur Sikri Basicila of Bom Jesus

Islamic Architecture Mughal Architecture French Architecture
Madras High Court buildings are a prime
example of Indo-Saracenic architecture,
designed by J W Brassington under the
guidance of British architect Henry Irwin.
The Victoria Terminus (Chhatrapati Shivaji
Terminus) in Mumbai.
North Block of the Secretariat Building, New
Delhi, designed by Herbert Baker.
OVERVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

But, when and how did the art of building become a profession in India?
ARCHITECTURE AS A PROFESSION IN INDIA

•The establishment of Architecture as a profession can be traced back to middle of 19th

century, during British Raj.

•However, architecture as a profession got major recognition in the beginning of 20th

century – because of George Wittet and Edwin Lutyens.

Victoria terminus, built in 1887

Designed by Fredrick William Stevens
and Axel Haig
Influences of British Architecture
North Block, Secretariat Building, built
in 1912
Designed by Edwin Lutyens and
Herbert Baker
Influences of British Architecture
interspersed with traditional Indian
Architecture
ARCHITECTURE AS A PROFESSION IN INDIA

•This phase was distinguished by the use of features from ancient Indian monuments
like the Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur, Mosques and tombs in Ahmedabad, etc.

•In the Post Independence Era, one of the most notable architectural activity that
happened was - the planning of Chandigarh and the design of capitol complex and
other public and residential buildings by Le Corbusier and his team.

•A new generation of Indian architects – who had either worked with Le Corbusier, or
were trained in India and/or abroad, soon created an identity of their own. These
included the likes of A.P. Kanvinde, Charles Correa, B.V. Doshi and Raj Rewal, to name
a few.
ARCHITECTURE AS A PROFESSION IN INDIA

•Prior to Independence, people who were not even architects, like civil engineers, or
draftsmen could also submit proposals, just by obtaining ‘ Surveyor's License’. Even
qualified architects had to obtain it!

•However, after the enforcement of Architects Act 1972, the title ‘Architect’ came to be
protected.

•This title can now be used only by those who are registered with Council of
Architecture, in India.
NEED TO STUDY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Now that you are about to become qualified architects, its important to know:

•The rights and responsibilities of an architect

- Social responsibilities‘- Designing Earthquake Resistance buildings, Safe
Buildings, For Differently abled building, Promote Standardization & “Quality
of Life”
- Professional responsibilities: Unbiased about design, Efficient utilisation of
Resources-materials, space. Functionality & Form.
- Your dues and rights as a service provider

•The future prospects that are available for you to explore

- Further studies to be an Urban Planner, U. Designer, Landscape, Housing
Planner, Digital Architecture professnionals.
- Working with a government agency
- Working with a privately-owned firm
- Working with NGOs
- Setting up your own practice in Tier-I,II,III cities
- Becoming an academician & Researcher
-Architectural Journalist
-Heritage Building Historian
NEED TO STUDY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

•If any of you plan to set up your own practice, then you must understand:
- Management and setting up of a private firm
- Legalities involved in terms of finances and partnership firms
- How to search for projects
- How to quote for projects
- How to format contract documents with clients and consultants
- How to manage and deliver successful projects

Thus, architects, like other professionals, have to have know-how of the legal and state
governmental interventions.

In architectural profession, technical knowledge, management and an

understanding of business are as important as design!
 BEING AN ARCHITECT

Who is an architect (in India)?

By definition, an architect a person who fulfills following criteria:
- 5 years of technical education, Bachelors of Architecture course, in an
institute recognized by the Council of Architecture.
- Registered with the Council of Architecture

Role of an architect
An architect, specially in a private practice, has to perform
various roles: Client Contractors

-First and foremost is that of a creative artist and

designer.
Architect
-Coordinator, who coordinates the work of various
consultants, contractors and specialized
agencies connected to a building project.
Consultants PM team

-An educator, who educates the client and the society at

large.

-An environmentalist, who helps shape built

environment without disturbing the ecological balance.
 BEING AN ARCHITECT

-A specialist, who specializes in certain aspects of architectural profession such as

housing, healthcare, industry design, valuation, etc.

- A researcher, who is always looking for innovative ideas. He revives traditional

concepts to suit modern day requirements.

It does not end at this, these days architecture has become a portal for collaboration.
Architects, frequently come in contact with sociologists, geographers, environmentalists,
etc.

Thus an architect must have/or should develop multi-disciplinary working knowledge.

BEING AN ARCHITECT BEING AN ARCHITECT

Depending upon individual temperament, an architect may decide to perform one or

many of these roles simultaneously.

One of the most important roles that an architect has to play is that of an ADVISOR
(Both Financial and Functional)

Building industry is based on financial investment – A client’s financial investment

Thus, at no point, must the decisions of the architect lead to financial losses.
(S)He must provide their client the BEST VALUE FOR THEIR MONEY

Even if an architect does not incur financial losses to the client but if the functional
needs is not fulfilled as desired, the project fails in this situation, and at times
with projects like hospitals, hotels, the architect might need to educate the client also.
 BEING AN ARCHITECT

Moral responsibility of an architect towards his profession

An architect has some duties and responsibilities towards maintaining the integrity of
his profession and his fraternity as well. They include:

- Not preparing designs with or without other architects for a client without
payment or reduced fee.

- Not attempting to obtain, offer to undertake or accept a commission (project)

for which he knows another architect has been selected until he has
evidence that the selection/agreement has been terminated with the previous
choice of architect.
 NEED AND ESSENCE OF ARCHITECTS’ ACT 1972

We have a democratic system in India

Everyone has freedom to express their views and opinions.

Thus, by expressing views, you may help others to form opinions similar to you.
And since, in democracy, majority prevails……………….

so if a large number of people come together, they are heard better.

That is why, we find associations and unions in every walk of life, starting from workers’
union to government employees to doctors and lawyers.

That got everybody onto thinking that there should be an

association/regulatory body for architects as well
 NEED AND ESSENCE OF ARCHITECTS’ ACT 1972

Post independence, till a very long time, there was no regulatory body for architects.

-With implementation of 5-year development programs, construction activity expanded

many times

- Anyone could claim themselves to be an ‘architect’ even if they were civil/structural

engineers

- There were no set rules for fee scales and architects charged as per their
convenience, depending on the city they lived in.

- In case of disputes/conflicts with the client, there were no set rules for settlement.

That is when the need for statutory regulation was felt!

 NEED AND ESSENCE OF ARCHITECTS’ ACT 1972

The Architects’ Act of 1972, came into force on September 1, 1972, and has following
objectives as mentioned in its preamble:

-To prepare a register of qualified Architects on the basis of a schedule of approved

qualifications to safeguard the interest of common man.

-To regulate the profession of architecture, by evolving a “Code of Ethics” and by laying
down minimum standards of architectural education in India.

We will study the Architect’s Act in the next sessions!

---------------------