The Broad Scope of Architecture

Architecture is one big problem solving journey, pulling knowledge from every discipline imaginable. It is a risky profession in a sense that it can be grueling, stressful, frustrating, and complicated. But it can also be both professionally and personally rewarding, stimulate both body and mind. It can be of great value to the people it affects.

Usually no one plans to be an architect; at least not exclusively. As a child, everyone has different ambitions. The middle school career path tests always tell you that you are destined to get into different professions. No one ever has a simple answer as to why they want to become an architect. Maybe it is because of their fondness of drawing and painting since the childhood. Also many kids always admire intricate buildings and structures. It is an honest belief that architecture can satisfy one’s imagination in space, materials and colour.

The Turning Point

The interest in this field is because of a ‘Big-Milestone’ achieved in life some years ago; for me. I won a silver medal in Shankar’s International children’s drawing competition. The then honorable President of India Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam presented this award. I feel this achievement, at a very young age, inspired me to take a look at this sector as more than just a hobby. After that, I actively started participating in various arts competitions and examinations. I also participated in Elementary and Intermediate exams held by Government of Maharashtra, India and secured B grade and A grade respectively.

Eventually I developed a deep interest in this field and decided to take up architecture as my career. The reason to highlight this is because many kids nowadays participate in various such events and competitions. But there is a common idea that these creative professions are disappearing off the face of the earth. Also kids nowadays naturally head towards the STEM subjects. However it is important to understand that in the real world, employers are crying out for a multi-disciplinary mix of art and science. Thus this hobby as a whole is not only promoting the child’s creative growth, critical thinking skills and fine motor skills but it can potentially turn into someone’s career.

Beautiful Intersection of Art and Travel for an Architect

Architecture is a combination of art and technology and is a self-respected profession, involving a symbiotic blend of geometry and physics. Along with painting, travelling is one more hobby, which people enjoy. It also goes hand in hand with this profession. Style is a word that is used loosely in this profession. The major pitfall surrounding ‘style’ in this sense is the possibility of commencing each new design in a way that mimics too closely to one’s last design. This is one of the reasons that travel for an architect is vital to maintain a clarity and openness to design challenges.

The architects are introduced to solutions that traverse beyond local building practices, de facto material choices, approaches to climate, water, plumbing and basic construction methods due to travelling. While merely aping what is done elsewhere is not the point of design, the simple exposure to something new and different can help one see things more clearly at home. It sometimes takes a non-native solution to a design challenge to break the expected plan of action that an architect would typically take; in a different vein. One can find Good design everywhere. However there is certain richness in travel that helps break loose one’s default palette and design solutions that would ordinarily go unconsidered. No two pieces of architecture are alike. So what makes them different? The clues can be hidden in the culture of the community living in that area which makes it so unique.

The Broad Scope of Architecture:

It is much clear that the architectural profession has so much to offer the society as large. Architects are planners, problem solvers, and holistic and optimistic generalists. They have valuable skills to offer the community, the business world and the political arena as well. Travelling would help to discover the cultural similarities of architecture. The journey of travelling by oneself is rewarding and challenging- in a really less than modest way.

Considering all these things, one can turn their passion or hobby for drawing/painting as a career into architecture. It would enable the person to take their knowledge to the next level. One can hopefully try to implement it practically to make a difference in the community. Enrolling for Bachelor’s course in architecture with the universities is the first step towards achieving your dreams. There is a strong belief that the society, in general, respects architects and the work that they do since the role of an architect is constantly evolving and changing. It’s a worthwhile career that can make a significant and visible impact on our surroundings, people’s life and society, as a whole.

Post the degree, it is essential to take some practical experience in the same. The contrast between the academic training and the work experience would lead one to a new understanding of architecture and design. It is not just about the good ideas but practicality is essential for a successful design. This allows the same to be ultimately carried out. The mark of a good design is when it goes under implementation. But it is of utmost importance to have experience with the practical aspects of design. It is to understand which designs are efficient and which are simply non-viable.

The Need of the hour

Looking at the current scenario in the world and the depleting resources, it is important to address the challenges of balancing short-term human needs with the long-term health of environmental systems. Thus one can eventually study Sustainable architecture since it is the need of the hour. Anyone would appreciate a nice well-thought home, because as they say, ‘Home is where the Heart is’.One might say that there is nothing more rewarding than designing a space; as an architect for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.