A GOAN IKON
Charles Correa a celebrated Goan architect& urban planner. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972, and the second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan given by Government of India in 2006. He was also awarded the 1984 Royal Gold Medal for architecture, by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Correa was a student of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai .Then he went on to study at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts .
Some of his major works are The memorial Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Museum at theSabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Kanchanjunga Apartment tower in Mumbai, the Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, the planning of Navi Mumbai, MIT’s Brain and Cognitive Sciences Centre in Cambridge. He also designed state-of-the-art research and development facility of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (Mahindra Research Valley) at Chennai,
He was Chief Architect for New Bombay (Navi Mumbai), an urban growth center of 2 million people across the harbour from the existing city of Mumbai. He designed the Kala Academy in Goa and was bestowed with Goa’s highest civilian honour, the Gomant Vibhushan.
What is this job all about?
Architecture is a science of designing buildings/bridges, etc.Architects integrate functionality with aesthetics. The structure could be a simple house or a Cathedral, a Bridge or a Sky Scraper. So, from conception to execution with the clients needs in mind, is the charm and challenge of the profession.
There are Architects who specialise in various formats – some are concerned with design of outdoor facilities i.e. Amusement parks, Gardens, etc. Some plan highways, plazas, recreation facilities and nature conservation areas; others concentrate on Shopping Malls, State of the Art Convention Centres, Multiplexes, Theatre, etc. and yet others on various types of housing projects like bungalows, Row Houses, storied structures, farm houses, etc.
An Architect, while designing, has to make sure that the design is as per building norms and regulations of that particular place, i.e. Town Planning Departments, and keeps to the landscape and heritage of the place in question, and nowadays, environmental concerns.
In crowded cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. there is a need to be ingenious in planning, to maximise usage of place due to dwindling land resources. That is the creative talent which is a real challenge.
Can you go for it?
You need to be able visualize your creation and then go to a three-dimensional space perception of your plan on the drawing board. You need to work as a team, with a strong sense of aesthetics, Numerical ability and, above all, a strong creative talent and Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Is there a future in this field?
For the creative and talented, the scope is tremendous.Dedication and hard work will give you all the satisfaction you need. Initially, you will work with an architectural firm, and after due experience you can branch out on your own in your chosen field of speciality.
Where to begin:
In Goa:
After 10+2 in PCM (physics, chemistry and maths) you must appear for the NATA Entrance Examination at the College of Architecture at Altinho, Panaji, Goa.
Arch (Bachelor’s degree in Architecture is a five-year degree program -includes a period of practical experience).
Recently the Vidyavardhan Trust has opened IDEA – Institute of Design Environment and Architecture at Benaulim –South Goa. The Goa University has been approached for affiliation. To practice as an Architect, you have to be registered with Council of Architecture, New Delhi.
If you wish to be an Architectural Assistant then,after Standard X, you could join the Government Goa Polytechnic program at Altinho, Panaji.
Outside Goa
JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai.
Vishweshwarayya Regional College of Engineering, Nagpur.
BKPS College of Architecture, Pune.
You can then pursue a Masters program(Master of Architecture), with specialisation in the following areas:
Urban Designing, Town Planning, Construction Management, Traffic and Transport Planning, Naval Architecture,Project Management, Landscape Designing, Industrial Design, Environmental Planning, Architectural Conservation, Building Engineering.
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
Center for Environmental Planning & Technology, Ahmadabad, Gujarat
Employment Avenue:
Many architectural firms look for young qualified graduates. So employment opportunities are good.
Monies
Prestigious projects cost a lot of money these days –so also building bridges, churches, temples etc. Some Villas and houses look spectacular. The question always asked is,who was the Architect of that Project? So yes, money is there if you put your best foot forward and design ordinary structures in an extraordinary way.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/