Q: What is architecture? What is the scenario in India?
A: Architecture is the art of modulating and composing space in relation to the human beings, as it is after all for the utility of humans. Earlier known as Vaastushaastra today it has emerged as a blend of different subjects that include creating built environments. Also known as Fengshui in China this art/science called architecture is very much in vogue as people are becoming more and more aware of space utilization, interior design and harmony of the ‘space’ for their well being. Unfortunately there are many taking advantage of this Vaastushaastra who with half baked or little knowledge are causing more damage than benefit. Jyothirvaasthu is a valid science which has undeniably aided to architecture. But an amateur may not be able to give proper guidance and this is where the subject is being abused.
India is surely forging ahead in the field of architecture with terrific boom in infrastructure. There is a tremendous scope for architects who have the creative bent of mind and the ability to play with space. When you ask me about the essence of architecture I would say architecture is building and composition of built spaces. It can be either interior built or exterior built environment. It is all about space utilization if we ask what architecture teaches as a subject.
In a scientific language architecture is the planning or anthropometry which means human dimensional comfort. This is the starting point of the subject. This need not necessarily mean that one has to have a previous knowledge of the subject. If one has a capability to visualize and feel the space he/she would be a good architect even without having a formal degree in architecture. There are many experts who already have an innate knowledge of space and dimensions and use their perceptions to ‘feel’ the space. It is also very important to keep the culture and tradition of the place in mind while designing a building. For example while designing a building here in India; it is hard to refrain from the culture influence as it forms an inseparable part of the design.
Q: What skill sets are required for the aspiring architects? How can they pave their way in the field?
A: An inborn idea about the perception of space, volume and visuals is a must for an aspiring architect or artist. Visual, verbal and sketching skills are mandatory to enter in to this field. After passing through design and visual perception at later stage they will enter into construction/building services like plumbing, mechanical (lifts, escalators etc). These are the areas they cover in the subject. Planning, designing gated communities like town planning (BHEL way back in eighties and Malaysian Township today). Thus, they learn about Urban and rural planning like minimum plot width, road width etc. Along with this they cover in detail the aspects of Interior Design and Landscape. It is now that these fields are coming in to the lime light but they were in existence since long time.
Q: What are the prospects for the aspiring architects?
A: Some architects are specialized while some are ambidextrous or multidextrous, being able to handle small as well as big projects. I, for example have been taking up small tasks like designing a table keeping ergonomics in mind, at the same time I can plan and execute the construction of a multiplex, which I am doing at the moment. During the five year course an architect is trained to handle large/diversified projects like handling a multiplex, and an individual small unit like a room too. As we can see they need to apply their skills both ways. Norms in the study of architecture today have changed. A student in the final year of architecture has the freedom to execute his project on a vast expanse on land unlike earlier times for the project work. After this they need to undergo training for a year with an architect who is registered with the CoA or Council of Architecture. It is governed by the Council of Architects Act 1972. This body governs the architectural education and profession in the country.
Students also have the advantage of getting themselves trained with a professional after their classes which usually run till two in the noon. Thus they can utilize their free time this way. This can happen in second, third or fourth year too. Thus architects are exposed to design and hand on practice both specific and general. Some architects have inclination for specialized areas like fashion design, signage design, fabric design as commercial artists. Thus, one can see the prospects in different areas, specific as well as general.
In addition to this there is also Architectural Journalism that trains the architects to become critics. This a recognized field abroad, there is no specialized course in India as such. Ayn Rand’s Fountain Head is a typical example for the architectural journalism in the thirties and forties. Urban& building Infrastructure, building management and building technology etc are the areas where architects have scope.
Blending technology with architecture, like the biometric opening of the doors is another area. One can have the comfort of being able to operate all the home appliances, sitting in the chair.
Q: In which area/specialization of architecture is there a maximum demand?
A: Construction management is the area which is picking up today. It is the management of the designed product on the site, by equipment, people, money, labour etc., It works on the principles of management in general but has its specific criteria. One needs to be a graduate in Architecture or Civil Engineering, the only difference between the two is that an architect will definitely understand the visual appeal and that is the area where he has an edge over the civil engineer. For the last thirty years there has been a constant rise in this profession. Though there was a lull in this for four to five years, it picked up from 2000, all over the country. Change in the government also is one of the reasons for this growth.
Q: What role does Vaastu play?
A: That again is another controversial issue. It would be worth mentioning that most of today’s construction or the so called 21st century buildings are claiming to have ‘imported’ technology, which is truly advanced in their country and suits them too, but will it fit into the Indian context? For example, take the latest space Stations or Malaysian townships, which are borrowed from outside. They are just going by global standards and living styles abroad ignoring the local needs or context. It may differ in space forms, colours, sequence of rooms etc., the beauty of the design cannot be denied, but we need to keep in mind that it is not emerging from our thinking. It is not undermining the outside culture or architecture, but we cannot claim anything to be our own here. The Indian touch is missing. Especially more so when some contracts are given to foreign architects who apply what they have learnt abroad in ‘Indian’ context, without actually thinking of it Actually, the negative trend in vaastu in the nineties was focusing on unimportant things and ignoring vital aspects. We need to reflect our culture. Only if we keep the social needs, cultural needs etc, will we make a mark of our own. Also, our government often talks about the cleaning up of lakes in foreign countries; they feel it cannot be done in India while in reality there are many irrigation experts (civil engineers) who are willing to give guidelines on the entire process but in vain. There is an urgent need for trust in our capabilities which surely bring the entire field to limelight.
Q: What actually is an architectural miracle according to you?
A: As we are talking of today, a flyover is NOT a feat of architecture but a sign of a developed nation, a tool which eases congested traffic. We architects need to understand this and start applying our original thoughts to create architectural feats. In Hyderabad I can say Shilparamam is definitely an ethnic architectural wonder that exudes outstanding beauty and Indian culture.
There is a tremendous requirement for architects today; they can go into any fields like architecture journalism, agriculture, construction management, facility management etc. In fact, there is an institute established by our former Chief Minister Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu called ‘National Academy of Construction’ (NAC) campus. It is one of its kind for providing training and development of all types of construction resources, technologies and methodologies for fast track completion of projects.
Q: Who are expert architectural journalists of our country?
A: We have Gautam Bhatia from Delhi who penned lots of works in architecture literature. We also have Charles Correa , Shankar Narayan from Hyderabad, Lauri Baker from Kerala, a Britisher who settled in Kerala. We need such people who imbibed the culture and understood the actual need before coming up with anything innovative. Architects are actually trained this way. Having undergone this kind of training, I am now clear as to how to train my own staff.
Q: What other fields in architecture are more ‘fetching’ or lucrative?
A: Hardcore design is very fetching. These experts visualize and produce paper models and replicate the entire model to the customer. This is a 3D image which the customer can actually see, feel and walk through, that gives him the same ‘feel’ of the completed actual structure. This is also done in the computer, in Photoshop. This facility was not available till the late nineties but today students are starting to learn with these tools. But it is always important to be good at sketching, drawing and colouring too. In fact, visualization and sketching skills were tested earlier before the student enters architecture, now NATA made it compulsory to go through all these tests that shows the student’s caliber, aptitude and skills in fine arts.
Prof. Suryanarayana is not only an architect in true sence, but he is passinate about other things too. For instance, he is a poet, an archictect of langauge too.