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"Construction boom has opened new avenues for architects"
Neeraj Bagga

GROWING affluence, easy availability of loans and desire to own a dream house have propelled the construction industry to a new high, resulting in greater opportunities for students of architecture.

Paramjit Singh Mahoora, Head of the Department of Architecture (DOA), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, feels that this field is experiencing a boom like never before. Besides teaching in the university since 1989 and heading the department for the third time, Mahoora has been instrumental in the construction of various building on the campus and in the city as well.

Excerpts from an interview:

The opening of our economy and the easy availability of housing loans on low interest rates have given a big fillip to construction activity. But the fact is that there are very few government jobs in this sector. A student of architecture can either opt for his own practice or join a private company.

For the first time in the history of our department, a private company has hired 12 students who’ll be passing out in the current session. Apart from this, two more companies evinced interest in hiring students of the department. This new trend has opened more avenues for the students.

With the surge in number of private companies in the construction and building sector, the students have a great opportunity to be effortlessly absorbed in them. This boom is being witnessed in various towns and cities across the country where numerous local and national players are investing highly in constructing new colonies and competing to outdo one another.

Students can opt for their own practice and even switch over to it after gaining experience by working with a company. Earlier, people did not feel the need to take advice from architects and considered it an unnecessary financial burden. However, scarcity of land in the cities and the ability of architects to raise impressive houses in a limited space have increased their demand.

The Department of Architecture, which has the distinction of being the first in Punjab, was set up in 1986. It falls under the faculty of Physical Planning and Architecture and offers a five-year integrated bachelor degree course, referred to as B. Arch., having 10 semesters. There are 40 seats available in the course, including ten NRI-sponsored seats. So far, 15 batches have passed out.

Admission to B. Arch. is made through the CET. Those students, who have cleared their plus two exam with physics and maths as compulsory subjects and chemistry, biology, engineering drawing or computer science as an optional subject are eligible for it. In addition, those candidates who have passed their matric and have completed three years diploma in architecture with 50 per cent marks, can also apply for the graduation course.

What qualities are required from a student to become a successful architect?

A student wanting to become a successful architect needs to have a calculative ability, creativity, an eye for aesthetics, a pragmatic approach, and a good knowledge about his society and environment.

The department has excellent infrastructure in the form of a well-equipped computer laboratory, material testing lab, studios, classrooms, photography, audio visual lab, museum of architectural building material, masonry and carpentry workshop, art room and surveying lab.

Presently, it is housed in the library building and construction of a separate building worth over Rs 1.5 crore for the department is under way. The department is working with a permanent faculty of 12 teachers against the sanctioned strength of 18. It utilises the services of ad hoc teachers.