An interview with K Rajagopal, an architect and President, Indian Institute of Architects

Can you give some background on when architecture developed into a curriculum, a definite course of study?

Architecture can be defined as the science of building. It is both an art and a science and combines art and technology to create monuments. Architecture is a profession, which has been practised from times immemorial. Architecture, as a profession, has thrived in India for centuries and all the magnificent monuments are testimonials.

As a curriculum in colleges, it started sometime during the British rule, with the establishment of JJ School of Arts in Mumbai, which offered a diploma in architecture. Many years later, the School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi was started, and by 1957, there were around seven to eight colleges in the country. Other colleges like REC Trichy, started offering architecture as a course of study in the 1960s. Gradually, many of the self-financed, private colleges began offering the subject. Right now, there are around 100 schools in India, with Maharashtra topping the list with 30 schools. Karnataka comes second with more than 18 schools. Premier institutions in the country are IIT Kharagpur, School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi, JJ School of Architecture in Mumbai, JN Technological University of Hyderabad, Anna University, Chennai and REC Trichy.

What are the attributes needed to become a successful architect?

Architecture is a course where one needs to have a real aptitude for the subject. All those who graduate need not become successful architects. Unlike engineering or IT, this field is not entirely application- oriented. One has to apply a lot of creative energy to build a `monument'. When a building is completed, perfectly, it is widely appreciated, as it is a very tangible creation.

All the private colleges should make sure that the students are given adequate hands-on designing experience, as there is no other way to learn in this field of work.

An architect must be aware of all the parameters of planning and adhere to the planning rules and regulations laid down by the authorities. He should co-ordinate with other professionals, like the contractors, engineers, decorators etc, in order to complete the structure. In this field, practical experience is very important.

I personally feel that an architect must be given complete autonomy in his field of designing. Anybody who employs an architect should brief him about his needs and financial constraints, and it is the architect's responsibility to fulfil the needs of the employer and design within the stipulated fee.

What is the status of architects in today's society?

Architects create design, and in co-ordination with engineers, they endeavour to make the drawings a reality. Both these fields should operate in tandem but can never replace each other. Unfortunately, more and more engineers are now trying to perform the work of an architect. A pathetic situation has come about wherein architects are not being given a free hand.

If you ask me, all the vacant positions in government departments should be filled up and architects must be involved in various stages of designing and town planning. My observation is that in government and quasi-government organisations, architects are not treated on par with chief engineers. Sometimes, engineers take over the duties of an architect and occupy the posts reserved for architects.

My only request is that all public and private sector enterprise should employ architects for design purposes and the bureaucracy must be made aware of the importance of the architects. An architect is a creator. One cannot put a price tag on his creative energy.

Right now, the real estate market is in a slump, so the ratio of architects to job opportunities is uneven.

Are there any regulatory organisations in the field of architecture?

The Council of Architecture is the registering body, where every architect has to register himself before he can practise. It was formed after the Indian Architecture Act of 1972. The Indian Institute of Architects is a professional body and these two look after the interests of the profession.

A standing council for public enterprise brings out a circular called SCOPE GM7, which details the important responsibilities of an architect, whey they should be employed in public and private sectors and their fees structure as stipulated by the Council of Architecture and the Indian Institute of Architects, which is to be followed.

Why do women architects tend to branch out into interior designing?

Interior designing is a very important allied service in the field of architecture. It is a general tendency for the women Architects to practice more on Interiors, as they may feel that practice in Interiors would be much easier than the regular practice. However this is my personal opinion.

Malini Suryanarayanan