Category: Careers in Architecture

  • A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting an Architectural Internship: Tips for Students

    A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting an Architectural Internship: Tips for Students

    A vital first step in developing a successful career in architecture is taking on an architectural internship. It gives students the chance to develop necessary skills, receive practical, hands-on experience, be exposed to architectural practices, and have the opportunity to build a network of professional contacts. It could be difficult to select the internship that will best fit one’s aims and expectations given the wide range of possibilities accessible. This article offers suggestions to make the process of choosing an architecture internship fun and educational for students.

    Start Early

    It is best to begin your search for an architectural internship as soon as possible. It’s crucial to make appropriate preparations because most companies begin taking applications several months in advance. Make a list of the companies that appeal to you after researching the ones that intrigue you. To learn more about the companies’ internship programmes and how to apply, get in touch with them.

    Define your Goals

    Clarifying your expectations for the experience is crucial before beginning the selecting process. Decide what you want the internship experience to help you accomplish. What competencies do you wish to acquire? What kinds of projects are you looking to work on? Think about if you want to learn more about a particular architectural style, engage in sustainable design initiatives, or investigate other business areas. Your search will be more focused and you’ll be able to find an internship that meets your demands if you are aware of your objectives and expectations.

    Architectural internship
    Photographer Unknown

    Research Potential Firms

    Investigating the companies is a crucial step in the decision-making process. Conduct in-depth research on organisations or organisations in the architectural industry that align with your values and career objectives. Look for companies that have won awards for their innovative designs, dedication to sustainability, or expertise in your desired field.

    By studying their initiatives, portfolio, and company culture, you can learn about their work ethos and philosophy. Consider the firm’s size and organisational structure as well; smaller businesses may provide more hands-on experience, whilst larger businesses may expose you to a wider range of tasks. Find out about the internship plan offered by the business, the kinds of projects that are typically handed to interns, and the qualifications they hope you will have.

    Recommendations and Network

    Use your network to seek assistance from professors, peers, or specialists in the field of architecture. They could be able to share insights regarding trustworthy companies or talk about their internship experiences. To network and meet individuals in the business sector, go to industry conventions, job fairs, and networking events. You can gain access to internship possibilities and decision-making assistance by establishing relationships.

    Network
    Photographer Unknown

    Consider Location and Duration

    When choosing an architectural internship, location and length are crucial factors. If you’re a student, you should make sure the internship location is doable. Decide if you would prefer to remain in your current city or if you are open to moving. Take into account the local cost of living, housing possibilities, and transportation. Consider the internship’s duration as well as how well it fits into your school calendar. You can experience many architectural styles and civilizations by moving to a different place. Shorter internships may provide you the chance to explore other companies and industries, while longer internships can offer more in-depth learning opportunities.

    Review Internship Descriptions

    Pay close attention to the details of the internship descriptions provided by architecture firms. Pay particular attention to the specific responsibilities, project involvement, and educational opportunities listed. Look for internships that include a reasonable mix of design work, construction documentation, site visits, and collaboration with architects and other professionals. Verify that the internship programme gives room for improvement and development and that it aligns with your skill set.

    Evaluate Mentorship and Learning Opportunities

    The mentoring and educational opportunities that are provided during an internship are essential components. Look for companies that place a strong emphasis on mentoring programmes, where seasoned architects will mentor you and offer feedback on your work. Your learning is accelerated and your comprehension of architectural practises is improved via mentoring. To broaden your knowledge base, find out whether there are any training sessions, workshops, or seminars given during the internship.

    Mentorship
    Photographer Unknown

    Assess Compensation and Benefits

    Even if money shouldn’t be the main concern when selecting an internship, it’s important to take it into account. Examine the compensation package offered by the employer, including for any stipends, travel reimbursements, or housing assistance that may be offered. Despite the fact that some internships may not be paid, keep in mind the long-term benefits, exposure, and potential learning possibilities.

    Workload and Responsibilities

    The responsibilities and workload of an internship can vary greatly. Inquire with the business about your tasks, the types of projects you’ll work on, and your everyday duties. You should also ask about the workload and the necessary number of hours each week.

    Workload
    Photographer Unknown

    Prepare a Strong Application

    Finally, when applying for an architecture internship, take care to create a strong application. Make a compelling application that highlights your skills, experiences, and passion for architecture. In your résumé and portfolio, highlight any pertinent assignments, coursework, past internships, and any design competitions you may have participated in. To ensure that your sense of style and attention to detail are appropriately represented, pay great attention to the presentation and quality of your portfolio. This includes a polished cover letter and resume that highlight your skills, accomplishments in school, and any relevant experience. If you have a portfolio, include it as well.

    Seek Interviews and Ask Questions

    Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the company and internship programme if you are selected for an interview. Ask about prospective projects, the working environment, team dynamics, and room for advancement. Inquire about the percentage of great interns that are offered permanent roles by the company.

    Conclusion

    To conclude, although picking an architectural internship might be challenging, with careful consideration and research, it can also be a rewarding experience. By clearly identifying your goals, conducting in-depth research, soliciting advice, and evaluating the available internship opportunities, you can make an informed decision that is in accordance with your ambitions and lays the groundwork for a successful career in architecture. Remember that an internship is not only a stepping stone to your future career but also a crucial learning experience that can affect your professional growth as you search for the appropriate internship position that suits your goals and objectives.

  • Top 10 Best B.Arch Colleges in India

    Top 10 Best B.Arch Colleges in India

    Introduction

    Architecture is the study of the art and the science of building. It is the practice employed to attain both practical and expressive requirements to meet the aesthetic ends. The need for education in the field of architecture is to learn and develop skills to work professionally and cater to the demands of society by making fully functional and aesthetic buildings.

    Listed below are some of the top B.Arch colleges in India that offer a bachelor’s degree.

    Top B.Arch colleges in India that offer a bachelor’s degree.

    1.   IIT Kharagpur

    B.Arch Colleges in India: Photo of Indian Institute of Kharagpur, India
    Photo of Indian Institute of Kharagpur, India

    Course Duration: 5 Years, 10 Semesters

    Tuition Fees: ₹82,000 per Semester

    Admission process: Through JEE main followed by JEE Advanced with AAT (Architecture Aptitude Test)

    Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur ensures a holistic integration of science and technology with cultural dimensions of the society. IIT Kharagpur is considered to be one of the best architecture colleges in India. The department of Architecture and Regional planning was introduced in 1952 for an undergraduate course and later in 1959, their first post-graduate degree started. This department claims one of its strengths is to blend modern building design concepts with Indian vision hence providing their students with a culturally rich education for designing buildings.

    Students who want to get admission in this department must have passed class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as their main subjects. They must have a minimum score of 70% in the 12 board exams to be eligible for giving the next set of entrance exams to get into IIT Kharagpur.

    2.   IIT Roorkee

    Top 10 Best B.Arch Colleges in India Photo of Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee Careers in Architecture
    Photo of Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

    Course duration: 5 years with 10 semesters.

    Tuition fees: Detailed course fee structure

    Admission process: JEE mains then JEE Advance plus Architecture Aptitude Test

    Among the two prestigious IIT’s that offer a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, IIT Roorkee comes second having started the program in 1956, and stands among the top architecture colleges in India. There are facilities like a Climatology Lab and Art workshops and recently they introduced their newest addition including a virtual reality lab, laboratory of inclusive design, urban dynamics lab, civic design lab, and industrial design lab.

    With the total number of seats being only 331, the competition is very tough to get into IIT Roorkee. After successfully clearing JEE mains and advance, candidates are required to participate in the state-level counseling process to get admission.

    3.   School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

    Architecture colleges in India: Photo of SPA New Delhi
    Architecture colleges in India: Photo of SPA New Delhi

    School of Planning and Architecture Delhi is a Deemed to be University recognized as an Institution of National Importance under an Act of Parliament, 2015. This college ranks 7th among the best B.arch colleges in India.

    School of Planning and Architecture provides two undergraduate courses including B.arch and B.Planning. Admission to SPA is entrance based and the eligibility criteria for admission is that the candidate must have scored at least 50% in their 12 board exams and must include Physics, Maths, and Chemistry ad their major subjects. The application mode for the undergraduate courses is online.

    The course duration is 5 years with 10 semesters. SPA Delhi has provision for 122 students in every batch for the B.Arch program and candidates are selected on the basis of their JEE mains score. The course fee for the first year is ₹1.22 Lakhs.

    4. 
    Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai

    Architecture colleges in India: Photo of Sir JJ College of Architecture by Architectural Digest
    Architecture colleges in India: Photo of Sir JJ College of Architecture by Architectural Digest

    Among all the other Architecture colleges in India, Sir JJ College of Architecture is one of the oldest and most reputed institutions. The Jamsetji Jejeebhoy College of Architecture is an important part of the large campus of the JJ School of Arts. It was set up in 1913 and is located on Dadabhai Naoroji Road. This college was architectured by George Wittet a Scottish architect, who happens to have also designed the Gateway of India.

    Students interested to take admission to Sir JJ College of Architecture must have passed their 12th board with at least 50% marks and should also clear the NATA exams with the minimum required score being 80. Candidates must clear the CET entrance exam of Maharashtra to get admission into this college as they do not consider the results of any other exam for admission.

    Even though the course fee is very low compared to other Architectural Schools in India, ₹17,400 for the first year, Sir JJ College of Architecture also provides plenty of scholarships for the needy.

    5.   National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappali, Tamil Nadu

    Architecture colleges in India: NIT Trichy, Tamil Nadu
    Architecture colleges in India: NIT Trichy, Tamil Nadu

    NIT Trichy is a Government institute and is considered one of the top architecture colleges in India. Just like the above-mentioned IIT colleges, NIT Tiruchirappalli accepts students who have cleared JEE Mains with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths being the major subjects.

    The duration of this program is 5 years with 2 semesters each year. This institute provides ample materials and resources to a student for successfully completing their degree. They prepare students to be intellectuals and professionals in the field of Architecture and Design.

    6. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

    Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
    Photo of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

    Jamia Millia Islamia had a good reputation among all the B.arch colleges in India established in the year 2001. With a limited number of seats, a total of 80, the competition to get into the department of Architecture and Ekistics is tough. This program spans over a duration of 5 years with 10 semesters and a fee of ₹74,690 is to be paid each year.

    7. Chandigarh University

    Chandigarh University
    Photo of Chandigarh University

    Chandigarh University is a private university established in the year 2012 and has secured its position in the list of top architecture colleges in India. It charges a fee of ₹8.04 lakh for the bachelor’s program in Architecture. There are many modern provisions like projectors in every classroom, audiovisual rooms, computer labs with all the softwares pre-installed for a convenient workflow for students.

    The minimum requirement to get admission into the university is for the candidate to have scored at least 50% in their 12th board with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as major subjects. For all  UG courses in this University, there is an entrance exam CUCET, Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test. Candidates have to take this test for merit-based admission and with a good score, the candidate can also bag a  scholarship for the applied course. Along with this entrance, candidates must have cleared the NATA exam with a minimum score of 40%.

    8. Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra

    Photo of BIT, Mesra
    Photo of BIT, Mesra

    Birla Institute of Technology believes in making leaders by providing a knowledge hub to the best students in the country and is known to be one of the best architecture colleges in India. They believe in transforming students into future leaders who can make a significant contribution to society. BIT Mesra is known for providing its students with the best technology for efficient work and training them in the field of Architecture and Design.

    For admissions into the BIT department of architecture, candidates must clear JEE Paper 2 and also score a minimum of 40% in NATA.

    9.  Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University, Ahmedabad

    Photo of CEPT University by DNA
    Photo of CEPT University by DNA

    Established in the year 1962, CEPT University provides a number of degree courses among which their Architecture course is the most famous one. They are known for specializing in different aspects of the natural and developed environment of human society. They take pride in the list of successful architects they have as their alumni and have links with architectural programs in Europe, the USA, and Australia, promising a bright future with unparalleled opportunities to aspiring students who want to attain a B.Arch degree from CEPT University.

    Along with a Bachelor’s program in Architecture, they also have separate bachelor’s in Interior Design, Construction Technology, Urban Design, and Design. CEPT University is widely known for proving its excellence in teaching Architecture and Design.

    The tuition fee per semester for a bachelor’s program is ₹1,60,000. There are a total of 80 seats for a B.Arch degree. For admissions, candidates can directly apply on the college website. A fee of ₹1500 will be charged to apply for any bachelor’s program.

    10.  Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal

    Top 10 Best B.Arch Colleges in India Photo of Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee Careers in Architecture

    The architecture course at Manipal Institute of Technology is considered to be the most advanced in terms of technology. It is a private university whose approach to architecture is considered cosmopolitan. Manipal Institute is considered to be one of the best architecture colleges in India, having provision for both bachelor’s and master’s programs in architecture that is proven to be one of the best in the country.

    Candidates have to go through the Manipal Entrance Test to get admission into MIT. This entrance test is a computer-based one and takes place in a span of 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are a total of 200 questions and include questions testing Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Logical Reasoning. It is an 800 mark test where every correct answer will be given 4 marks and for a wrong answer, there will be a deduction of 1 mark.

    FAQ

    Q: What are the top 10 colleges in India for architecture?
    A: Some of the top 10 architecture colleges in India include IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in New Delhi, Sir JJ College of Architecture in Mumbai, National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Tiruchirappalli, Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, Chandigarh University, Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) in Mesra, Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University in Ahmedabad, and Manipal Institute of Technology in Manipal.

    Q: What are the best architecture colleges in India?
    A: The best architecture colleges in India are subjective and can vary based on individual preferences and criteria. However, some of the most renowned and highly regarded institutions include IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, SPA in New Delhi, Sir JJ College of Architecture in Mumbai, NIT in Tiruchirappalli, and CEPT University in Ahmedabad, among others.

    Q: How can I get admission to the best colleges for architecture in India?
    A: Admission to the best architecture colleges in India is typically based on entrance exams such as JEE mains followed by JEE Advanced with AAT (Architecture Aptitude Test), NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture), and other state-level or university-specific entrance exams. Candidates must also meet the eligibility criteria set by the respective colleges, which often include scoring a minimum percentage in their 12th board exams and meeting specific subject requirements.

    Q: What are the fees for studying architecture in the best colleges in India?
    A: The tuition fees for studying in top 10 colleges in India for architecture can vary depending on the institution. For example, IIT Kharagpur charges approximately ₹82,000 per semester, while SPA in New Delhi charges around ₹1.22 lakhs for the first year. It’s advisable to check the respective college websites for the most up-to-date fee information.

    Q: Are there scholarships available for studying architecture in India?
    A: Yes, many colleges offering architecture courses in India provide scholarships and financial assistance to deserving and needy students. For example, Sir JJ College of Architecture in Mumbai offers scholarships for eligible students. It’s recommended to visit the college websites or contact the admissions office for more information on scholarship opportunities.

    Q: What is the duration for the best colleges for architecture in India?
    A: The duration of the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) course in India is typically five years, divided into 10 semesters. However, the exact duration and structure of the course may vary slightly from one institution to another.

    Q: Can I apply for best architecture courses online in India?
    A: Yes, many colleges and universities offering architecture courses in India allow candidates to apply online through their official websites. Online application processes are usually straightforward and require candidates to fill out the application form, upload necessary documents, and pay the application fee online.

    Q: What are the career prospects after completing a degree in architecture from a top college in India?
    A: Graduates from the top architecture colleges in India have excellent career prospects in various fields such as architecture firms, construction companies, urban planning departments, interior design firms, and more. They can work as architects, urban planners, interior designers, project managers, and consultants, among other roles. Additionally, they can also pursue higher studies or research in specialized areas of architecture.

  • Financial Growth In Architecture

    Financial Growth In Architecture

    Introduction

    Architecture is evolving with the rapidly changing world around us which requires a constant reflection and assessment of the past to prepare for future challenges. It has always been a mirror of a community’s creative, engineering, and technological facilities over time. However, in the premise of the 21st century, Architecture is more than just a convention of aesthetic monument-buildings, as nowadays the value of land is touching the sky due to the immense pressure of population growth worldwide.

    Any kind of development related to a valuable piece of land holds an added responsibility for maximizing the economic potential of that land. Therefore,  architecture can be an essential tool for economic growth in a region. 

    Financial Growth and Architecture Industry

    The Architecture industry is one of the few industries that is continuing to grow despite the current economic conditions. In fact, the Architecture industry is predicted to grow by 3.2% in the next year. There are many reasons for the growth of the Architecture industry. One reason is that the industry is becoming more globalized. With more countries interacting with each other, there is a greater need for architects to design buildings that meet the needs of a global market. Another reason for the growth of the Architecture industry is that there is an increasing demand for sustainable and green buildings.

    As the world becomes more aware of the need to protect the environment, architects are being called upon to design buildings that are eco-friendly. Finally, the Architecture industry is benefiting from the current trend in the construction industry towards renovating and retrofitting existing buildings. This is especially true in the commercial sector, where businesses are looking to reduce their carbon footprints by renovating their office space. 

    financial growth

    As the Architectural industry has seen a tremendous amount of growth in recent years, this can be attributed to a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of “green” architecture, the need for more energy-efficient buildings, and the continued growth of the construction industry. As the world becomes increasingly focused on sustainability, architects are being called upon to design buildings that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly. Green architecture is a rapidly growing field, and many architects are now specializing in sustainable design.

    The construction industry is also booming, which is good news for architects. More construction means more demand for architectural services. In addition, the current economic conditions have led to a resurgence in the popularity of home renovation and remodeling. This has created a need for architects who specialize in residential design. The future looks bright for the architectural profession. The combination of increased demand for sustainable design and the continued growth of the construction industry is sure to lead to continued financial success for architects.

    There are a number of factors driving the growth of the architecture industry. The first is the increasing population. As the world population continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for housing and commercial buildings. This has led to a boom in the construction industry, and a corresponding increase in the demand for architects. Another factor driving the growth of the architecture industry is the increasing wealth of many nations.

    As countries become wealthier, they tend to invest more in construction and development projects. This has led to an increase in the number of high-end, luxury projects that require the services of experienced architects. The architecture industry is also benefiting from the rise of the green movement.

    More and more people are becoming aware of the need to conserve energy and resources, and this is leading to an increase in the demand for sustainable, green buildings. Architects who specialize in green design are in high demand as a result. Finally, the rise of technology is also playing a role in the growth of the architecture industry. With the increasing use of computer-aided design (CAD) and other technologies, architects are able to work on more complex projects than ever before.

    This has made the profession more attractive to a new generation of designers. The architecture industry is booming and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. This is good news for architects, who are seeing an increase in demand for their services.

    beitou public library
    Beitou Public Library, Taiwan: A notable example of green and sustainable Architecture

    The increasing demand for new and innovative buildings has been a part of the growth. As the world becomes more populated, there is a need for more space. This has led to an increase in the construction of new buildings. The Architecture industry is forecast to grow by 3.2% in the next year. This is a significant increase from the previous year. The industry is expected to continue growing at a similar rate over the next few years.

    There are a number of factors that have contributed to the growth of the Architecture industry. The first is the increasing population. As the world becomes more populated, there is a need for more space. This has led to an increase in the construction of new buildings. Another factor is the increasing wealth of people. As people become richer, they want to live in nicer and more expensive homes. This has led to an increase in the construction of luxury homes. The other factor is the improving economy.

    When the economy is doing well, there is more money available for investment in the construction of new buildings. Also the increasing demand for office space. As businesses expand, they need more space for their employees. This has led to an increase in the construction of office buildings. One more is the increasing demand for retail space. As the population grows, there is a need for more space for stores and businesses.

    This has led to an increase in the construction of shopping malls and other retail spaces. The Architecture industry is expected to continue growing at a healthy rate in the next few years. This growth will be driven by the increasing population and the increasing wealth of people.

    The increase in construction and development projects across the globe has also provided a significant amount of growth in the industry in recent years. The construction industry is one of the largest and most important industries in the world. It is also one of the most important industries in the United States, employing more than 7 million people. The construction industry is responsible for the construction of buildings, bridges, highways, and other infrastructure. The construction industry is also a major contributor to the economy, accounting for more than $1 trillion in GDP. The construction industry is projected to grow in the coming years. The US construction industry is expected to grow by 3.6% in 2019 and by 4.0% in 2020.

    This growth is driven by a number of factors, including population growth, the increasing number of households, and the growing demand for infrastructure. The population of the United States is expected to grow by 0.7% in 2019 and by 0.8% in 2020. This population growth will drive demand for new housing, as well as for new commercial and industrial buildings. The number of households is expected to grow by 1.5% in 2019 and by 1.6% in 2020. This growth is driven by the increasing number of millennials who are reaching adulthood and forming their own households.

    The demand for infrastructure is also expected to grow in the coming years. The US Department of Transportation has estimated that the country will need to invest $1.5 trillion in infrastructure by 2025. This demand is driven by the need to repair and replace aging infrastructure and build new infrastructure to accommodate population growth. The construction industry is expected to benefit from this growth in demand.

    The number of construction jobs is expected to grow by 1.1 million between 2018 and 2028. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for housing, commercial buildings, and infrastructure. The construction industry is an important part of the economy. The industry is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by population growth, the increasing number of households, and the growing demand for infrastructure.

    construction
    Architecture puts the place up on the map of the world

    The financial growth in architecture has led to an increase in the number of architecture firms, as well as the number of architects employed by these firms. This growth has also led to an increase in the salaries of architects, as well as the fees charged by architecture firms.

    The financial growth in architecture has also led to an increase in the number of scholarships and grant opportunities available to aspiring architects. This has made it easier for people from all backgrounds to pursue a career in architecture. The financial growth in architecture has been a positive development for the profession and has resulted in increased opportunities for architects and architecture firms.

    Architects are in high demand all over the world, and their skills are needed in many areas. The field of architecture is growing at a rapid pace. In 2018, the average salary for an architect was $76,000. This is a significant increase from the average salary of $60,000 in 2010. The demand for architects is expected to continue to grow as the world population increases and more people are moving into cities.

    Architects who can design buildings that are connected to the internet and are energy-efficient are in high demand. Cities are looking to become more efficient and sustainable, and architects are key to making this happen. The financial growth in architecture is good news for those in the field. It is expected to continue to grow in the years to come, and there are many opportunities for those who are qualified. 

  • Top 10 Best M.Arch Colleges in India

    Top 10 Best M.Arch Colleges in India

    Introduction

    Learning is essential and never-ending part of our existence. We learn in order to gain knowledge and skills that bring us opportunities and advancement professionally. Learning is a way to nourish our minds and become confident individuals.

    After completing a bachelor’s program many students get into a Master’s program in order to enhance their knowledge on the subject of their interest. Getting a Master’s will help individual gain expertise in a particular field which will help one grow professionally and move into a financially secure future.

    After finalizing to study further and getting a Master’s in the subject of interest you will need a list of M.Arch colleges in India and this article presents to you with a list of architecture colleges in India that offer a Master’s program and all the details one would need to get admission into these colleges.

    Top M.Arch colleges in India that offer a bachelor’s degree.

    1. IIT ROORKEE

    M.Arch Colleges in India
    INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, ROORKEE

    In IIT Roorkee, one of the top architecture colleges in India, offer two different Masters program which includes a Master’s in Architecture and a Master’s in Urban and Rural planning.

    M.ARCH

    The minimum educational qualification for getting in their Master in Architecture program is for the candidate to have successfully completed B.Arch with at least 6 CGPA on a 10 point scale. Candidate must have qualified GATE Exam as the selection is 70% based on GATE score and 30% on merit.

    The application is to be filled online and for the PG form, a fee of ₹300 will be charged.

    The tuition fee is around INR 1.5 Lakhs to 2 Lakh per annum.

    Students are advised to thoroughly go through their PG Brochure and keeping all the required documents and copies beforehand for successfully applying to IIT Roorkee.

    M.U.R.P

    For applying for a Master in Urban and Rural Planning, a candidate must have completed B.arch or Bachelors in Civil engineering/B.Planning. Apart from this, all other requirements are similar to their M.Arch program.

    2. CEPT, Ahmedabad

    CEPT, Ahmedabad
    CEPT, Ahmedabad

    Centre of Environmental Planning and Technology offers multiple Master’s programs to choose from. CEPT is considered the best architecture college in India as it not only provides its students an in-depth understanding of all processes involved in the construction and design of a building but also provides them with a vast number of research centers to develop professional-level skills. This University focuses on developing students to work and produce socially beneficial buildings. They train students into professionals who give importance to both Architecture and Design.

    Students are offered five different programs to choose from Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Planning, Faculty of Design, Faculty of Technology, and lastly Faculty of Management.

    Faculty of Architecture

    The Faculty of Architecture at CEPT believes an architect has the most impact on a societal change hence they aim at providing their students a broad cultural exposure transforming them into responsible and critical thinkers.

    Aspiring candidates are offered four independent Master’s degrees to choose from namely

    • Architectural Design

    Students with a Bachelor’s in Architecture or any equivalent course credited by COA can apply to this program. There is a minimum requirement of 55% marks in the bachelor’s degree to be eligible for admission. Candidates can apply online for selection. Students need to provide a portfolio of their academic and professional work, a list of references, and a CV along with a bachelor’s mark sheet while submitting the application. Once a candidate’s application is selected they are informed to give an interview as the next step followed by a test with multiple-choice questions based on their specialist selection.

    Course fee ranges between INR 3.5 Lakhs to 4 Lakhs per annum. CEPT prioritizes education and provides multiple scholarships between 25% to 75% of the tuition fee to its students. Candidates who need scholarships have been given a test in order to receive this scholarship.


    • Architectural History and Research
    Architectural History and Research
    Source Unsplash

    Through this program, they aim to prepare students to analyze and critique buildings and other forms of architectural practices. They equip students with skills that will help them narrate their vision in an engaging way to fascinate both academic and non-academic audiences. They prepare students for the next step that is to carry out a Ph.D. research.

    The eligibility criteria and admission process remain the same as mentioned above under the Faculty of Architecture section.

    • Conservation and Regeneration

    The course duration for Masters in Conservation and Regeneration is two years. The main focus of this course will be educating its students about the history of built environments, urban areas, and community engagement in order to explore the relationship between conservation practice and urban regeneration. They aim to help students learn and develop an understanding of the evolving conservation practices.

    • Landscape Architecture

    It is one of the most common courses found in colleges offering a Master’s across the country. CEPT has been teaching this program for the past 28 years and preparing its students for both natural and man-made design challenges.

    3. SPA, New Delhi

    SPA, New Delhi
    SPA, New Delhi by CareerWorld

    School of Planning and Architecture was founded in 1941. They aim at teaching students the cultural aspects of architecture.

    They offer a Master’s in Urban Design, Industrial Design, Landscape Architecture, and Building Engineering and Management. Candidates are eligible to apply if they have scored at least 55% in their bachelor’s degree and have a completion certificate of Bachelor’s in Architecture.

    Students have to apply online for a Master’s program and should provide their bachelor’s performance sheet, academic and professional portfolio, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

    4. Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai

    Sir JJ College of Architecture
    Sir JJ College of Architecture by Shiksha.com

    Sir JJ College of Architecture was established in 1913 and has a very good reputation when it comes to training its students in the field of Arts and Architecture. Their students are trained to design in a highly vivid and visual way to communicate their thoughts through Architecture.

    Sir JJ College of Architecture offers a Master’s specialization in Housing Projects, both urban and rural, Industrial projects, Institutional projects, Commercial projects, Infrastructure Projects, and Urban Design. They also provide specializations in urban renewal, interventions in heritage precincts, environmental design projects, and hybrid building projects. Their style of teaching is more research-based with architectural research as one of the subjects in all four semesters. Course details for each semester can be found at this link.

    For admissions, candidates have to apply online and will be selected through Maharashtra CET. The entrance test is called MAH-M. ARCH CET and once the candidate clears the test they will have to go through a GD-PI round and clearing that will ensure their seat for the desired course. A total of only 12 seats are available for M.arch in Sir JJ College of Architecture. The annual fee is around ₹18000.

    5. Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh

    Chandigarh College of Architecture
    Chandigarh College of Architecture by career360

    Chandigarh College emphasizes training its students to become critical thinkers with a better understanding of the environment. They provide a course that aims at addressing the various advanced subjects which are important in the current context of Architecture. Chandigarh College prepares its students to be good decision-makers with efficiency in their work. Training students to have a holistic approach towards establishing the new normals in building design with sustainability being the main focus.

    For the Master’s program, a total of 20 seats are available and students who have scored a minimum of 55% in their Bachelor’s degree are eligible for applying to Chandigarh College of Architecture.

    6.  Manipal School of Architecture and Planning , Manipal

    Manipal University
    Manipal University

    The two-year Master’s program offered by Manipal School of Architecture and Planning specializes in Urban Design and Development. A student is qualified to apply if a minimum of 50% score in B.arch is obtained by them. Candidates can easily apply online for admissions. Selection into this program is merit-based upon qualifying GATE exam and one must also submit a statement of purpose and portfolio of their past work while submitting their application online.


    The tuition fee for one year in this institution is ₹ 1,90,000 but a student who has scored 70% or above can apply for scholarships provided by the university.

    7.  Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad

    Jawaharlal Nehru School of Architecture
    Jawaharlal Nehru School of Architecture

    Established early in the year 1940 as Nizam College of Fine Arts and Architecture, this institute evolved over the years and finally emerged as the School of Planning and Architecture in the year 1989. They offer a Master’s in three different sectors Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Design, and Interior Design. The Urban and Regional Planning program falls under M.Tech and the other two are considered M.Arch programs.

    M.Arch in Environmental Design

    This program focuses on helping students learn the history of environmental design in order to reach maximum excellence while designing for society. They provide education encompassing all of the urban design, landscape design, and environmental design-related issues. Research methodologies are highly encouraged for preparing research papers as a part of the curriculum.

    Eligibility criteria for admission state for the candidate to have completed their Bachelor’s in Architecture from a COA credited college. And for final selection after application students have to pass the entrance exam conducted by the University.

    M.Arch in Interior Design

    For a Master’s in Interior Design, a student is expected to be highly passionate about this subject and the rest is taken care of. Jawaharlal Nehru School of Architecture and Planning offers a studio-based approach to encourage students to work in a professional and highly functional environment. Its fast-paced nature prepares students to make better quicker and efficient decisions in the future.

    The admission and application process remains the same as the Masters in Environmental Design.

    Course Fee for M.Arch here is ₹70,000 per year with the course duration being two years in total.

    8. Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai

    Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
    Source ihindustan

    Rizvi College of Architecture was established in 1992 and offers a Bachelor’s program as well as a Master’s program in Architecture. They thrive to work towards excellence and Sustainable humane development.

    To get into their Master’s program students have to complete a Bachelor’s in Architecture with a minimum of 50% from a recognized university. There are four different courses in their Master’s program for students to choose from – Architecture, Urban Design, Urban and Regional Planning, and Environmental Architecture. There are a total of 20 seats for Masters. Admissions are offered both online and offline but a student must clear the NATA exam before applying for Rizvi’s Master’s Degree. An application fee of ₹800 will be charged after applying online.  

    The course fee will be around ₹ 1.95 Lakhs for the first year. Candidates must carry legal documents mentioned in their application form while visiting for admissions.

    9.  SRM University, Chennai

    SRM University by sify
    SRM University by sify

    Sri Ramaswamy Memorial Institute of Science and Technology, formerly known as SRM University was established in the year 2002 and has since reached milestones that very few universities could. They claim to provide the most innovative programs across the country which prepares graduates to tackle all the challenges that come their way.

    M.Arch program offered by SRM is structured in a way to educate students who have aspirations for creating large-scale projects and metro-level urban facilities. This program trains scholars to specialize in designing and constructing high-rise structures, airports, stadiums, and environmental planning of large spaces. M.Arch program in SRM is considered one of India’s most comprehensive programs in Architecture as it focuses on handling the contemporary issues of the present-day, like sustainability and urban redevelopment.

    Minimum qualification for enrolling into SRM requires students to have scored at least 50% in their bachelor’s program. Admissions are done based on a student’s qualifying entrance exam score as well as the institute’s own entrance test. SRM Chennai takes pride in the plethora of achievements their students bring to their university making it really tough for every aspiring candidate to get admission into this college. Students are required to do thorough research and prepare themselves before applying to this university.

    10. Sushant School of Arts and Architecture, Gurgaon

    Sushant School of Art and Architecture
    Sushant School of Art and Architecture by Facebook

    Started as a flagship higher education institute of Chiranjiv Charitable trust in 1989, Sushant School of Art and Architecture has proved to be one of the top architecture colleges in the country. What makes this university stand out among others is them offers new programs with the intention of filling the gaps perceived in this architecture industry. Not only do they offer a UG and PG program but also have ongoing summer and winter school programs in order to train high schoolers about architecture and its education.

    M.Arch program here in SAA aims at taking in students and transforming them into leaders with the talent of critical thinking that will enable them to engage in evolving research and design techniques. The coursework includes design studio, critical thinking tracks, writing research papers, discursive seminars, and choice-based electives providing immense opportunities to expand and deepen the learning and understanding in the field.

    M.Arch in Built Heritage

    This program aims at educating graduates about built heritage and how it can be sustained. They help students learn by participating in real-world situations by involving private investors, government and non-government agencies.

    M.Arch in Interior Architecture

    It aims to inform the students by helping them understand the principles underpinning the design and how they should influence their choices of systems, materials, and construction methods. The main emphasis will be on spatial design as well as surface embellishments.

    M.Arch in Landscape Architecture

    They help graduates in establishing the best in the given environment and designing high-quality built and natural landscapes.

    M.Arch in Urban Design

    The program identifies the role of the urban designer in redefining the 21st-century urban landscape and develops new paradigms of research, practice, and pedagogy to meet the challenges of urbanization with a focus on sustainability and heritage. They provide students with opportunities to work closely with the city’s development authorities and address the concerns as part of the Master’s program.

    For all the above-mentioned Masters’s courses, the eligibility criteria are for candidates to have scored 50% marks in their bachelor’s degree and must clear the GATE entrance exam. Students with qualifying marks in GATE will be provided ₹7000 as a scholarship amount. After successfully completing the application process candidates will be required to sit for a personal interview only after that will the student be given admission into SAA.

  • Video Game Designing: Fascinating Relation Between Architecture and Game Design

    Video Game Designing: Fascinating Relation Between Architecture and Game Design

    A lot of individuals might imagine that the characters, the gameplay, or the problem levels during a computer game are what make it interesting and exciting to play. Still, people do not understand that the architectural aspects of virtual games are one of the most vital corridors of a good design. From the background of the game to the sound, character costumes, and light effects, virtual game architecture is single-handedly one of the most ignored yet essential aspects of game design. 

    Relation between Architecture and Gaming

    Architecture has always been a really broad term to use in any language. It is related to building a structure while also getting used to creating a nation. Yet architecture was always a medium that was experienced actually using the skin, our eyes, and our soul. But now, during the digital age, building a structure might not always be the answer.

    Restoring buildings to their former glory could seem to serve the aim, but it’s just a replacement way of covering up the scars of their destruction or decay. Therefore, a replacement path opened for architects, designers, and illustrators to explore their visions, actually, but virtually. Video Game designing, which has been present since the late 1950s, only had its breakthrough within the 1980s.

    Since games like Mario Kart, Road Rash, and Pokemon Red and Blue, video games are taken to a subsequent level by several designers or ‘architects’ who have designed these arenas. The creation of games like Pong and Asteroids has led us to the realm where the architecture of the game could change itself or the player could make the world.  The advancements of those games make us dream of achieving them in actual reality but also give us a shake of the strictness and hierarchy that’s oppressed us in the real world.

    Architecture in Terms of Video Game Design

    What we all know as “architecture” in our world isn’t equivalent to the gaming world. Architecture within the gaming world refers to a setting or mood that’s created within the sport. It’s how gamers witness the world within a game and how they interact with it. The architecture of a game design is often defined as this erected-in air and terrain. 

    This is the job of a game architect. These talented individuals create a sensible virtual background and scenery for every computer game, making the interaction and knowledge for the player more realistic and exciting.

    The experience of a gamer hugely depends on how well the sport architecture is made and designed. Moreover, good gaming architecture has the power to convey subtle emotions, thoughts, ideas, and ideas to the player without using overt signs and signals.

    Importance of Architecture in the Gaming World

    photograph
    Photo by Archdaily

    In video games, architecture plays a way bigger role than simply being a backdrop of a virtual city or an authentic render of an existing one, it is, in fact, a fundamental component of transcending gamers into a virtual world that feels even as authentic because the world does, but with extra adrenaline.

    One might think during a virtual environment where anything is feasible, that the architecture of those ephemeral environments might reach new heights. That it’d break away from the bonds of physical and budgetary limitations and become something such a lot greater.

    Architecture can finally be liberal to become wholly narrative, filled with meaning, instigate a strong user experience, and convey a deep connection to the sports plot and player perception. Occasionally it gets there, but rarely. In fact, it’s usually worse. 

    This pervasive phenomenon of architecture that permeates nearly every frame of gameplay, deeply impacting player experience, is at the best a background support mechanism. Beyond multi-million-dollar triple-A budgets, game architecture is essentially a knee-jerk regurgitation of a number of the worst habits and vestiges of real-world design practice, suffering from cliche and after-thought design gimmicks.

    Characteristics of Video Game Architecture

    Video game architecture is full of secrets and focuses on four characteristics of architecture that architects of real buildings will be very familiar with: space, construction, material, and light.

    Architecture can tell a story, elicit emotion, and shape player experience more effectively than any other aspect of your game. You can have stylish characters, plot, and UI plates, but without an inversely considerate approach to the armature, your player experience will always fall suddenly to its fullest eventuality.

    By balancing and contrasting different types of spaces, architecture can unfold and choreograph the player experience to supply a way more powerful emotional impact and reaction to gameplay.

    Video game architecture is full of secrets and focuses on four characteristics of architecture that architects of real buildings will be very familiar with: space, construction, material, and light.

    Use of Light

    The use of sunshine in architecture is often utilized in an identical way, to draw attention to a crucial piece or subsequent area the player should move to. A space that’s well lit with many windows and skylights can feel uplifting and contrast (or balance) your darker scenes. Transitioning between the two can enhance the qualities of every. Even if you would like your game to feel damp, dark, and scary, those sensations are often more apparent and defined when occasionally contrasted by spaces filled with natural light.

    Use of hierarchy

    gaming
    Photo by Archdaily

    Another important and incredibly useful tool in game design is the use of hierarchy. An architectural experience where all design elements carry an equivalent visual weight is not as meaningful or organized as when some elements are differentiated through scale, color, texture, shape, etc. By contrasting rhythm with hierarchy, the player can enhance the game’s wayfinding strategy by making it easier for the player to ‘read’ a building to assist remember their relative position in space and to know where important elements of gameplay are often found.

    Sky and Ground Interface

    Another useful connection to consider is the interface architecture of the ground and sky. The wall face of a structure infrequently dives straight into the terrain without any transition, the way most video games portray. There’s nearly always a concrete foundation or else solid plinth upon which the structure stands. Accentuating this base plinth can be a way of conveying a kind of strength, endlessness or sense of being forcefully predicated (useful when you want a structure to look fortified or imperishable). In discrepancy, a structure with a weak foundation can feel temporary, transitory, or weak. 

    Use of materials

    literalism
    Photo of Archdaily

    Understanding the use of materials beyond the aspects of shades and texture is also a vital player in architectural design. Materials can contribute much further than simply helping to achieve literalism. The emotional and physical impact of soft and warm materials is fully different from hard and desaturated materials. Using the cerebral impact of different face textures and colors can shape a player’s experience and attract or propel them to or from colorful gameplay rudiments.

    Exteriors and Urban Setting

    Urban design and the way building exteriors work together to shape outdoor space can also play a role in the design of your game. A yard girdled by 4 story structures feels well defined and enclosed, even though it is an exterior space. Placing a monument or statue at the end of a visual axis can help acquaint the player, and make it easier to remember where the player is located in relation to the rest of the position. 

    These are just a couple of the various aspects of architecture that will be wont to design simpler video games and virtual worlds, but it barely scratches the surface.

    Video game architecture can be perpetually dynamic, potentially shifting shape of real-time inputs and conditions. It is often laced with interactive features, bringing the architecture to life in ways no physical building could ever achieve.

    The Current Image of Virtual Reality

    The current technological advancements created and used in the gaming assiduity are breaking walls. It allows the contrivers to suppose and imagine a whole lot of lost mortal surroundings. The term virtual architecture has been now chased to understand the spaces created in these virtual games as well. 

    Virtual architecture as an amalgamated entity 

    Virtual architecture has now become an amalgamated entity between the items that are real, that would be real, and which are fictitious. The complex part is to segregate the particular reality and computer game within the game that causes difficulties thanks to entanglement and thus, creates huge differences within the game environment and the gamer as well. The solution might be how one uses architecture to differentiate both realities while also allowing the user to flow within the built environment without breaking the rhythm. 

    Hence, the reflection of the gaming industry has become focused on making the sports plunge into the game to make an invigorating environment. It, within the end, this reduces the excellence in what it’d feel in virtuality and what it seems like in reality.

    Diverse and Futuristic Virtual architecture 

    The other viewpoint toward gaming industries is totally diverse and futuristic. One school of thought practices the rebirth and cultivation of the past while the opponent tries to make several such planes where the longer term is clear in each unit and element. 

    These futuristic games are based in several projected worlds where an apocalypse, dystopia, and utopian occurrence dictate the entire world or storyline. Basic genres like horror, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, and drama also are utilized and woven through these complex simulations. 

    Mirror’s Edge, Cyberpunk 2077, Control, Remember Me, and Quantum Break features these nuances where the gamer can create changes within the virtual environment which will desire to generate impact in the world. Most of the architecture depicted in these games are brutalist, modern, and post-modern era buildings, which in a way give the user satisfaction in either damaging them or destroying them.

    Storytelling through Architectural Details

    All video games are created with one objective storytelling. The story can only come to life when the small print within them is embedded to determine authenticity and reality. Tangible aspects like weight, mass, texture, materials, exteriors, and finishes play an enormous role in allowing the user to perceive and knowledge of these spaces. Contrast, scale, proportion, appearance, and quantity; these intangible aspects allow the user to grasp and relate to spaces created to immerse themselves in.

    Architecture and Interior Design play a crucial role in creating these details within the environments. Environment Designers got to think within the sort of three-dimensional compositions and configurations instead of two-dimensional figures and graphics. Therefore, tons of architectural design and interior design principles are an inherent play in assisting in understanding the space and the way people use it. The basic three principles that require to be abided by are:

    Order

    Establishing the orientation and spatial configuration to permit the player to locate themselves within the built virtual environment.

    Enrichment

    Enhancing the shape and its complex, manipulative nature for the rationale behind the spaces.

    Expression

    The visual storytelling narrative suggests the mood, story, or gist of the space.

    The virtual environment can work as intended only when these principles are holistically incorporated, else, it might result in the user getting frustrated or losing interest in the game.

    Learning from Video Game Designing

    Virtual Reality could seem a world distant, but it is present within the current dynamic world. We could seem ignorant of its influences, but it dictates our day-to-day life. Architecture, on the opposite hand, which is now a highly saturated artform, has found a totally different platform through video games. Architects, who want to build for this and the future, are now ready to build their pasts within the present timeline while also adding their personal imaginative touches thereto.

    Virtual Reality through the computer game industry has not only created employment for the highly saturated market but has also allowed dreams and imagination to become “real”, an escape. The often-overlooked subject concerning the gaming industry is the diversity of data that one acquires through video games. 

    Languages, influential figures, history, art, technology, weaponry, architecture, interior design, urban design, photography, physics, and various other fields have culminated thanks to such cohesive singular environments created in these video games. It allows colorful openings for literacy and makes sure the knowledge does not stay retired. And now, further than ever, knowledge has been a growing demand for people. 

  • 10 Best Architecture Firms in Chennai India

    10 Best Architecture Firms in Chennai India

    Introduction

    Chennai is an interesting blend of the old and the new, hence, it is  “Detroit of India.” The capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is a metropolis that combines serene architectural heritage with industrial progress giving a rich mosaic of diversity and vibrancy. This nickname was given to Chennai because it has the most car manufacturing units in India. It’s not just this type of industrial area that has modern architecture such as concrete design which is efficient both in aesthetics and usage.

    The top architecture firms in Chennai must be known because Schools and universities frequently use projects from leading firms as case studies, providing real-world examples of design challenges and solutions. Leading firms often engage in public discourse on urban planning, sustainability, and architectural ethics, influencing policy and public opinion. For clients, being aware of the top firms helps them to make informed decisions that differentiate their projects in the market, potentially adding significant value to investments. 

    Ensuring this list represents these firms’ positions fairly was an uphill task due to the limited information obtained about most of these firms.  Notwithstanding, the following criteria were used to determine the position of these top architectural firms in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The confirmation from other articles sites on excellence in providing services by these firms, the number of awards received, the number of confirmed Google reviews about the services of these firms, Projects completed and recognized by the public, and of course the firms’s reputation from their view and that of the public.

    Ansari Architect- Best Architecture Firms in Chennai

    Ansari Architects is a leading architectural firm in Chennai driven by a strong belief in innovative and sustainable design solution provision. The firm has established a name in residential, commercial, and institutional projects for providing outstanding service concerning creating spaces that interact with functionalities and aesthetics.

    Their design philosophy is a harmonious union of modern technology and traditional concepts about architecture to devise structures that will not only be visually appealing but also turn out friendly to the environment. Ansari Architects offers an incredible platform in terms of delivery: personalized and context-sensitive design to meet the specific needs of the clients enhancing the built environment.

    History

    The firm was founded in 1996 by the visionary architect Dameem Ansari.

    He obtained his architecture degree with distinction from the School of Architecture and Planning at Anna University, Guindy in 1994. He was inspired by the unique style of architects that he met during his initial consultancy. The experience he gained in his early years of practice through exposure to such architects was a major factor in developing his style and that has made his firm top the list of architectural firms in Chennai. 

    Notable Projects

    House of Voids

    It is one of the architectural firm’s prominent works, located in the KK Nagar region of South Tamil Nadu, on a plot area of 3750 sq ft designed in 2019 for a client named: Mr Ranjit.  It has a built-up area of 7516 sq ft.  They call it the introvert house for a purpose. Elements of nature are incorporated inside the interior space of the building so that the resident wouldn’t need to go outside their home to get the feel of nature. 

    Architecture Firms in Chennai
    Contemporary house in India with a striking wooden facade and bright white walls, merging elegance with modern architecture.

    Adyar Ananda Bhavan

    Located in Karaikal, an Indian Union Territory of Puducherry, this project was designed for Mubarak in 2004. It is a 6000 square foot built-up space. The main idea behind the design consisted of merging two houses into one – each with a sitting room, guestroom, master bedroom, children’s bedroom, store and Kitchen cum pantry, dining room, 2 bedrooms, and utility area – both houses sharing a common circular courtyard with water pond. The most fascinating thing about this design is the beautiful landscape enhanced by falling water. The use of such remarkable features made the company outstanding compared to other architectural firms in Chennai.

    Awards and Recognitions

    Ansari Architects has received several awards for its participation in giving the architecture of Chennai a lift. Some of these awards are The BEST HOUSES Chennai Region 2013. This award was presented by DALMIA CEMENTS & VIJAY TV,   to ‘The House of Boxes’ in KK Nagar, Chennai. This prestigious architectural firm in the region of Chenna also received the same award in 2011, it was presented to  “House of Colors” in Palawakkam, ECR. In 2014 the CEO received the  AAB Best Achievers of the Year 2014. Award

    Dwellion Architects- Best Architecture Firms in Chennai

    Dwellion has been known as one of the best architecture firms in Chennai. Consistently amazing the residents, Dwellion’s strategy relies on the use of simple design elements along with elegance to make them look modern and classic at the same time. Therefore, those constructed homes are easily enriched with a visual charm that reflects a practical way of living. The award-winning architectural firm in Chennai is constantly discovering creative relations and connecting design with the more scientific part of it like geometry to shove a client’s aspirations into a properly organized and physical thing.

    Notable Projects

    The courtyard House 

    From the beginning, the design approach aimed to harmoniously integrate contemporary aesthetics with traditional features, such as incorporating classic elements into the house. It was focused on blending the old with the new, using prominent conventional building techniques. This fusion of time-honored methods with modern design principles created a residence that showcases architectural creativity.

    A standout feature of The Courtyard House  “Mottram” (courtyard in Tamil), thoughtfully designed as a space for family gatherings. Understanding the family’s dynamics, an area envisioned that promotes connectivity and provides a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. An innovative automated system for closing windows and doors was implemented, offering convenience and peace of mind for the inhabitant.

    A contemporary house featuring wooden gates and lush trees, showcasing a blend of nature and modern architecture.
    A contemporary house featuring wooden gates and lush trees, showcasing a blend of nature and modern architecture.

    Awards and Recognition

    He was awarded the fourth Global Business Leadership Award – “The Best Architect of the Year, Chennai” at New Delhi in 2018 beating all other architectural firms situated in Chennai. The firm was honored with the “Top Architecture Firm Award, Chennai” from the Award for Excellence in Elementary Education 2018. It also bagged the “Top Architecture Firm Award, Chennai” in 2018 presented by the Architecture and Interior Design Excellence Awards. Also Won “The Best Luxury Interior Designers” listed by the Indian Business Awards in 2016

    OCI Architects- Top Architecture Firms in Chennai

    Renowned for its international projects and numerous awards received. Oci Architects is notably a top architectural firm in Chennai. Architect Dr. Oscar G. Concessao and Architect Dr. Ponni M. Concessao, a married couple, both graduated with a B.Arch Degree from the Regional Engineering College, which is now known as the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, in 1986 and 1987. Following their graduation in India, Dr. Oscar G. Concessao pursued a Master’s degree in Architecture in Urban Design at the University of Oklahoma in the USA in 1987, thanks to a scholarship he received. Dr. Ponni M. Concessao also traveled to the USA with a Tata scholarship and obtained her Master’s in Architecture from Cornell University in 1989. 

    At Harvard University Dr. Oscar G. Concessao and Ponni M. Concessao completed their career-changing professional studies on advanced studies. The University of Malaysia and Universita of Milano conferred Honorary Doctorates in Modern Architecture and Architectural Science to Dr. Oscar G. Concessao and Dr. Ponni M. Concessao respectively.

    While working together as partners in various projects involving leading architects who specialized on skyscrapers, institutional buildings hotels, hospitals, and stadiums they resided in New York City for some time before moving back home where they started an architecture firm that became one of the top ten within the region due to certain notable works such as: Telangana Secretaries Hyderabad; Subregional Science Centre Rajhaymundry; Kalaignar Dr. M. Karunanhidi Museum Thiruvarur.

     A stunning view of the Telangana State Secretariat from the Necklace Road
     A stunning view of the Telangana State Secretariat from the Necklace Road

    Awards and Achievements

    Awards and achievements received by this top architecture firm in Chennai are so many that it would require an entire article to mention them. The firm received the Architecture And Interior Design Excellence Award 2020, Awards From The Indian Buildings Congress For Institutional And Hospitality Projects from Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister Of Housing, Urban Affairs And Civil Aviation At Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Architect Dr. Ponni M. Concessao Received The International Inspirational Women Awards 2020 From Dr.D.S.Chauhan, President, of the Association Of Indian Universities, at Noida, the Architecture And Interior Design Of Excellence 2019, the 

    Bic Award 2019, the Design Dialogues Award 2019 Mumbai.

    DLEA – Top Architecture Firms in Chennai

    DLEA means Design Lab for Experimenting Architecture,  is a multidisciplinary Architectural design firm based in Chennai, that designs spaces, interior design, master planning, and graphic design. The principal architect:  Ar. G.Dhayananth is a graduate of Ana University Chennai. The practice comprises experienced architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, landscape consultants, MEP consultants, and lighting consultants specializing in residential, commercial, and institutional projects. This team of experienced people helps the firm handle any scale and type of the project according to the client.

    Notable Projects

    Susendran Residence is one of the firm’s prominent works, located at Mugalivakkam in Chennai, in the Sriperumbudur taluk of Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu. It’s a house design project for the client: Susendran hence the name Susendran’s Residence. The three-story building has red facades that fit well with the bricks used in making it. The living room, dining area, master bedroom, and toilet are the main rooms on the first floor. The good blend of colors and the professional crafting of the interior spaces make the firm known as one of the top architecture firms in Chennai.

    A building featuring a red brick facade, exemplifying a timeless architectural style with a warm and inviting look.
    A building featuring a red brick facade, exemplifying a timeless architectural style with a warm and inviting look.

    Awards and Recognition

    It is necessary to point out that Ar.G.Dhayananth, the Principal Architect of DLEA was selected as one of the prominent architects & interior design awardees of India 2017 and as one of the “best architects in Chennai’’ for his/her use of this company which is a pioneer in this field besides being reputed for marketing research called ‘Merit Awards and Market Research (MAMR)’.

    On 24th March 2023, D.L.E.A was recognized by Construction World among its recipients of ‘Construction World – Stalwarts of the South, Chennai’ during the CW Design-Build Conclave” at Taj Vivanta in Chennai. Global Business Reconnect decided upon D.L.E.A for the distinguished Architect’s WOW Awards at The Architecture Reconnect Summit that took place on September 16th, 2022 at The Taj Wellington Mews, Chennai.

    Midori Architects- Best Architecture Firms in Chennai

    Midori Architects is a national and international award-winning firm established in 2015 under the leadership of Suraksha Acharya, a cognitive member of the sustainable architecture field in India. It’s a young team of new-age designers, planners, thinkers, and consultants from Chennai who create everlasting structures through innovative form, modern flow, and versatile function. The firm is a process-driven architectural firm in Chennai, with an uncompromising sustainable approach towards every venture taken up so far. The firm delivers quality urban space by offering clients integrated, efficient, and forward-looking solutions for the future of our projects. Using advanced technologies and simulation techniques that simplify environmental complexities,  clients can engage in a creative process leading to a much larger sustainable solution.

    History

    Suraksha Acharya, the chief designer, has been leading the way in incorporating eco-friendly techniques into contemporary architecture, highlighting the significance of visually appealing and environmentally friendly. Since starting, Mādori Architects has become known for its creative method, fusing conventional architectural concepts with modern solutions to produce distinct and environmentally friendly designs. Under the guidance of Suraksha Acharya, the company has finished numerous projects demonstrating its dedication to sustainability, such as residential, commercial, and institutional buildings gaining recognition as one of the top ten architecture firms in Chennai.

    Notable Works

    Villas By The Bay (Contemporary Living by Ocean)

    It’s a villa design for the client named: Chaitanya Builders, on a plot area of 409 m2

    located in a gated community on the coastal stretch leading into the Bay of Bengal, this beach villa combines style, comfort, and privacy. The design integrates an infinity pool on the terrace with extensive glass walls and windows, offering clear views of the Bay from every room. The villa allows residents to adjust their level of privacy with blinds that can be controlled easily. The interiors are primarily neutral, with wooden elements adding warmth and texture.

    Aeon House 

    This project is one of the prominent works of the architectural firm in Santhome, Chennai, on a plot area of 1650 sqm for the client: Varun Acharya. This distinctive and contemporary home exemplifies the fusion of modern design with sustainability and functionality. Created in response to environmental considerations, it is poised to achieve the pioneering Zero Carbon & LEED Platinum Certification while offering luxurious comfort and energy efficiency. Featuring corridors that wrap around courtyards, linking private spaces with rooms that have double-height glass walls, this home exudes understated elegance and intelligent design. The courtyards, curves, and inclinations are carefully crafted to maximize self-shading, sunlight, and ventilation, resulting in a modern aesthetic further enhanced by a wooden exterior.

    Awards and recognitions

    Participated in an architectural competition called Skyhive Skyscraper Challenge, and won 1st place (United States). Also, the firm has received the A’Design Award & Competition, Silver Winners (Italy). This top architectural firm’s selling point involves working together and combining efforts to conserve resources and attain energy self-sufficiency. Our designers, ecologists, sustainability specialists, and engineers work together to develop environmentally friendly terms of resource usage, ecological effects, and impact on the local economy and culture. We provide unique certification for green buildings on all our projects and certify buildings for consultants worldwide. It also provides consulting services through its expert sustainability team.

    MTA Architects- Architecture Firms in Chennai

    Principal Architects Ar. B. Ramesh and Ar. D. Uma Shankar

    MTA originated from a strong desire to design unique and cutting-edge environments that improve the quality and visual appeal of people’s lives. MTA was established in 2001 with locations in Chennai, Tirupur, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The team consists of skilled experts with the knowledge and techniques to help you reach your goals. This top architectural firm in Chennai recognizes each client’s requirements and collaborates to develop breathtaking solutions. The happiness and satisfaction of its clients are a priority because they are their most valuable assets.

    Notable Works

    Bancasella

    It’s an office interior design project located at Perungudi Chennai, with a project area of 0.75 acres it was completed in 2018. The goal of the design was to maintain the space’s advantage, enhance its visual perception, establish an information commons, and encourage continuous sharing. A completely see-through office offers a sensory experience in a shared space. An interactive environment is set up that combines physical space with technology to aid individuals in brainstorming fresh ideas and progressing with them.

    Awards and Recognition

     Was awarded “Best Architectural Firm in South India” India’s Most Prominent Architect and Design Award 2016 presented by Merit Award and Marketing Research (MAMR). The firm was honored to publish its work in “Architectural Footprints”. This was conducted by India’s Institute of Architects “Tamil Nadu Chapter” The firm also received good remarks from important figures like the Director of CDM Smith: Karthikeyan Deventhran, Shriram Properties & Infrastructure Pvt LTD, the chairman of Sify: Prasan Vidhya Mandir among others within the region for their outstanding services

    Unique Selling point

    At MTA, there’s a commitment to the community and promoting positive relationships. Therefore, strategies consisting of three levels of corporate social responsibility are implemented: economic, ecological, and social sustainability, to create a brighter future. That is to advocate for architecture as a social issue by utilizing design to bolster and uplift communities. To advance this ideal, they have performed many tasks for free. Unpaid projects include a cemetery in Coimbatore, another in Tirupur, a school block for Vanshi Manthan Vidhyashram, and so on. Additionally, staff members are urged to volunteer in established aid groups.

    Ceebros Design Works 

    CDW, one of the top architecture firms in Chennai, India, is a design practice that works across various disciplines. Established in 2013, the company is known for its skill in combining modern influences with traditional values. The company’s collection ranges from big commercial projects to personal home design and accommodation, covering every part of the project such as choosing materials, creating custom furniture, and finding sources. CDW prioritizes establishing a functional connection between nature and the built environment, emphasizing the importance of promoting a certain way of life while being mindful of the environment and how it interacts with the spaces around it.

     An interior space showcasing polished wooden floors complemented by a large, ornate chandelier above.
     An interior space showcasing polished wooden floors complemented by a large, ornate chandelier above.

    Notable Works

    An interior design project for a hotel located at Raintree Street, St Mary’s Road. The hotel’s interior was made to complement the reflective feel of the marble interior walls.

    CDW is known for its rare capacity to merge the avowed ideals of modern influences with heritage. Their portfolio ranges from large-scale developments to private residences and hospitality spaces. The distinction is carried on in every project with the material selection and custom furniture design and sourcing, creating functional interfaces where nature and the built environment coexist. Another notable work of this top architectural firm is the Experience Centre, Chennai. It involves the design of the Architecture, Landscape, and interior workspace among others.

    P8 Architects- Best Architecture Firms in Chennai

    P8 Architects is a respected design company that offers architectural and interior design services for various sectors including residential, commercial, hospitality, and healthcare. The distinguished P8 team collaborates with innovative minds to produce architectural adventures that prioritize clients and showcase excellence in every project. P8 is dedicated to meeting clients’ needs and demands without sacrificing design, standards, or service quality. Its notable works include the Commercial complex, Anjali Tower, located at Vettuvankeni on a plot size of 4200 sq ft. in the year 2024

    Agraharam Veedu, a project for a client named: Mr Raghu Snakaran, located in Thulasecdrapulam, on a plot size of 4000 sq. ft. The project was done in 2023. The firm handled the architectural design and interior design. The Agraharam Veedu was recreated with care by integrating pieces that were salvaged such as old stone and wooden pillars as well as heavy rafters, thereby creating a space that honors our traditions while accommodating modern necessities. This project shows that this architectural firm in Chennai respects traditional designs thereby preserving heritage through innovation

    Amer and Ani Architects- Architecture Firms in Chennai

    Amer & Ani Architects, ranked the top 8  Architecture firm in Chennai, is a structural, and Interior design firm based in Tamil Nadu, India since its inception in 2009. The firm has completed projects, including luxury villas, multistory residential buildings, and commercial and hospitality spaces. Amerani’s approach is to remove and manage elements and maintain the basic simplicity of areas. No matter how big or small, every project is treated with utmost detailing and artistic awareness of the short life in light, space, and form. Charting a course for the user through a unique setting; and defining graceful spaces that inspire, invigorate, and delight the senses–this is the objective of Amerani architects.

    Tamil Nadu Agricultural Export Facilitation Centre
    Tamil Nadu Agricultural Export Facilitation Centre

    Notable Project

    This top architectural firm is recognized as one of the top firms because of its project, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Export Facilitation Centre, a project on a plot size with an area of 60,000 sq ft., located in Guindy, Chennai. The client of this project was the Tamil Nadu Govt. Another project by this prestigious firm is the Casagrand Esquire. A project covering 68,000 sq. ft, located in Perungudi, Chennai. The firm has completed projects for recognized organizations within the region like Casa Grande,  Chaitanya, Kauvery Hospital, Basshyaam, Dac promoters, Concordia, Lifestyle Housing, Radiance Realty, Voora, Urban Tree, and Akshaya among others

    Studio 7 Architects- Best Architecture Firms in Chennai

    Studio7 Architects has completed over 400 projects of different sizes, scales, and values ranging from 5 Lakhs to 500 Crores. It’s a top architectural firm in Chennai that oversees every project from start to finish with the exact Cost, Quality, and time required by our clients. Its Portfolio includes Residential Projects, Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, and Institutional projects. It has a diverse portfolio and the team can help with Design, Project Management, Cost Control, Legal Advisory, Financial Project Planning, Environmental Management, Marketing, and liaison needs. Studio 7 Architects has been engaged in numerous esteemed projects within the Retail and Commercial sectors. Some include Seven Stories in Colombo, Asokan Jewellers, Jeyachandran Textiles, and Hotel Le Temps in Trichy. 

    Conclusion

    Chennai’s architecture is indeed diverse. Different people have put certain endings that match the urban setting of Chennai. We have discussed the ten top architecture firms in Chennai owing to their interior designs and other things that combine modernity with the local culture. They deliver both innovative interiors and timeless exteriors in their designs.

    You can easily integrate these designs if you want a modern approach or need something from centuries ago. These architecture firms in Chennai will always be a reference point for those looking for such end products in the contemporary market. Therefore, the essence of individuality is expressed through change over time in the lives of these architects as they lead a dynamic city like Chennai into the future it deserves.

  • Architecture and Set Designing: An Interesting Crossover

    Architecture and Set Designing: An Interesting Crossover

    “The Art that is closest to cinema is architecture.” – René Clair

    What is set designing?

    Set design, scenic design, theater design, or stage design is the formation of the physical space in which the action of a performed event takes place. Primarily used to describe a film or theatre production, it is comprised of all the scenery, furniture, props, appearance, and overall look of the stage. Set Design is more widely known as Art Direction, as it contains a bit of all three sections, i.e., Art, Architecture, and Interior Design – the dependency of Set Design is more on Art and Replication.

    Set designing is creating a space with the quintessence of a few specific feelings, figments, and states of intellect that a story requires. A collected set, moreover, speaks for a certain location for a motion picture, theater, or event. The prime distinction between architecture and set design is the aging of the made structure. Architecture is about built structures that last for a more extended period and speak to the territorial contexts. In differentiation, a set is developed for a shorter span, possibly indeed less than a day to portray a location, genuine or hypothetical, for a movie, theater, or any other kind of show.

    Crossover between Architecture and Set designing

    Architecture and set design go hand-in-hand. To create a believable and convincing set, the architecture must be carefully considered. Every element of the set must be designed with the purpose, to create the desired effect. The first step in the set design is to understand the script. What is the story trying to tell? What is the mood of the piece? Once the story and mood are clear, the set designer can start to conceptualize the world that the story takes place. Next, the set designer will create a floor plan for the set. This is a bird’s-eye view of the set, showing all the elements and how they are arranged.

    A floor plan is a critical tool in set design, as it ensures that everything fits together logically and that the set can be built within budget and time constraints. After the floor plan is complete, the set designer will start to flesh out the details of the set. What kind of furniture will be used? What colors will dominate the palette? What kind of lighting will be used? All of these details must be carefully considered creating a believable and effective set.

    Once the set is built, the final step is to dress it. This includes adding all the small details that make a set come to life. Things like books, dishes, and personal items are added to make the set feel like a real place. Set design is a critical part of any production. A well-designed set can transport the audience to another world, and help to bring the story to life.

    set designing
    SET OF GAME OF THRONES AT LINEN MILL STUDIOS

    Hence, the relationship between architecture and set design is a close one. The skills of an architect are often called upon in the design of film, television, and theatre sets. In turn, the work of set designers can inspire architects and influence the design of buildings. The art of set design can be traced back to the Renaissance, when painters and architects began to work together to create stage sets for theatre productions.

    In the 19th century, the development of new stage technologies, such as electric lighting and fly towers, allowed for more elaborate and realistic sets. Today, the work of set designers is as varied as the productions they work on. They may be involved in the design of simple television sets, or create entire worlds for big-budget films.

    Whatever the scale of the project, set designers must have a good understanding of architecture and be able to visualize how their designs will work in three dimensions. As well as being skilled designers, set designers must also be able to work within tight budgets and deadlines. They may be required to make last-minute changes to their designs, or to find innovative ways to reuse existing sets and props.

    The close relationship between architecture and set design means that there are many opportunities for architects to work in the film, television, and theatre industries. Whether you’re interested in designing sets for blockbuster movies or smaller-scale productions, a career in set design could be the perfect way to combine your creativity and technical skills.

    Architecture and Set Designing: An Interesting Crossover Set designing is creating a space with the quintessence of a few specific feelings, figments, and states of intellect that a story requires. A collected set, moreover, speaks for a certain location for a motion picture, theater, or event. The prime distinction between architecture and set design is the aging of the made structure. Architecture is about built structures that last for a more extended period and speak to the territorial contexts. In differentiation, a set is developed for a shorter span, possibly indeed less than a day to portray a location, genuine or hypothetical, for a movie, theater, or any other kind of show. Careers in Architecture
    SET OF INCEPTION_©vanityfair.com

    The architectural space has numerous correspondences with cinematic space, i.e., space on the screen. The audience enters the movie theatre and latterly becomes immersed in the body of a film or a theatre as they would a building. While creating a movie or theatre scene, the director arranges shots or scenes in sequence as the architect designs a floor plan, framing and confining, anatomizing, and condensing rudiments through which the onlooker is encouraged to partake in the flow of movement.

    Set designing, just like architecture, is a pure representation of space, how one space can be used for the definition of a particular emotion, and how it can foster a sense of connection between the onlooker and the scene. Thus, both architecture and a movie or theatre set retain the capability to affect the followership in a kindly unconscious manner.

    A Parallel between Architecture and cinema

    Cinema and Architecture stand as distinct arts, dynamic and static respectively, whose complex association gives life to each other. Architecture gives movies their believability by setting the mood, place for the character, time, and action. Movies, on the other hand, give an outlet for realizing perceptions that live or can live and solicit experiences that in reality have occurred or haven’t occurred, when we talk about both pictures grounded on the real world and science fiction respectively.

    hogwarts castle
    SET OF HOGWARTS CASTLE_©core77.com

    “Film provides a vibrant representation of architecture” – Christophe Gérard.

    According to Christophe Gérard, film, as a medium, develops the generality of architecture with both the mental picture and the art of conceiving. He developed this content by describing how the filmic space confronts the observers with specific aspects of physical space that the architects can contribute to.

    Architecture compliments the process of Set design

    The art of architecture and set design can be seen as a form of communication. It is a way to tell a story or convey a message through physical space. These two disciplines have a long history and are constantly evolving. They are integral to the film, television, and theatre industries, and continue to be a source of inspiration for artists and audiences alike. The notion of design and architecture entwines various fields of art and creativity.

    Accordingly,  architecture as a field constantly evolves and hence offers a lot of possibilities for the process of set designing to reach advanced points of imagination. Set designing is a field of creativity and set designers play a vital part in depicting and defining space on the screen. And having a piece of detailed knowledge of the paradigm of space arrangements, Architects hold the capability to enrich the field of set designing.

  • 10 Best Architecture Firms in Delhi 

    10 Best Architecture Firms in Delhi 

    Delhi, India’s capital city, is a treasure of architectural marvels. The city has a wide spectrum of architectural styles, from historical landmarks to modern skyscrapers. Behind the development of these marvels and the cityscape are some of the best architecture firms in delhi, who have developed breathtaking designs that will withstand the test of time. Their original ideas, imaginative solutions, and attention to detail have completely reshaped the city’s skyline. The article represents the 10 firms that contributed to the development and evolution of the city.

    Morphogenesis Architects- Best Architecture Firms in Delhi

    Best architecture firms in delhi
    Image Source

    Morphogenesis maintains offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, and New Delhi. The business reinterprets Indian architectural traditions, often employing passive design techniques to produce a unique contextual language. Its projects span architecture, interior design, and landscape urbanism. With projects in eight countries, 95 international and national honors, and hundreds of publications globally, it is the first Indian firm to earn the Singapore Institute of Architects Getz Award for its contributions to shaping Asia’s changing landscape. Images Publishing created a monograph about the firm’s work as part of its Master Architect Series.

    Renesa Architecture Interiors Studio- Architecture Firms in Delhi

    Renesa Architecture Interiors Studio- Architecture Firms in Delhi
    Image Source

    Sanjay Arora leads the design studio Renesa, which is based in New Delhi. The studio has formed various agreements with manufacturing industry experts, resulting in projects like a brick manufacturer’s showroom in New Delhi, where Renesa used brick materials to complete the building’s floors, walls, ceilings, and facades. Renesa’s portfolio encompasses many projects, from major commercial to residential, restaurants, and pubs. 

    Architecture Discipline- Architecture Firms in Delhi

    Architecture Discipline- Architecture Firms in Delhi
    Image Source

    Akshat Bhatt launched Architecture Discipline in 2007 as a multidisciplinary studio with completed projects ranging from retail to hotels, residential, and public infrastructure. The studio explores regional forms of expression through full-scale prototypes and extensive material research. One of its projects, the Common Room, is an adaptive reuse project that converted a previously abandoned Delhi warehouse into an office complex filled with rich natural materials. 

    Studio Lotus- Architecture Firms in Delhi

    Studio Lotus- Architecture Firms in Delhi
    Image Source

    Studio Lotus was created in 2002 as an innovative multidisciplinary design practice. The work of the practice, led by Ambrish Arora, Ankur Choksi, Sidhartha Talwar, Pankhuri Goel, and Asha Sairam, is built on the ideas of ‘Conscious Design’, an approach that embraces local resources, cultural influences, an inclusive process, and attention to detail. Studio Lotus’ concept for a metal and stone dry construction project won the competition to build a new visitor center at Jodhpur’s 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort. 

    Anagram Architects- Best architecture firms in Delhi

    Anagram Architects- Best architecture firms in Delhi
    Image Source

    Anagram Architects is a consultancy founded in 2001 in New Delhi by Madhav Raman and Vaibhav Dimri. The portfolio includes offices, factories, infrastructure, and homes. The firm’s philosophy focuses on promoting and connecting with nature, ecology, and sustainable lifestyle with design articulation and innovation. 

    Studio Symbiosis 

    Studio Symbiosis 
    Image Source

    Studio Symbiosis is an architectural, master planning, and interior design firm based in Stuttgart and Delhi. The philosophy of the practice is to develop integrated design solutions that are efficient, robust, and sustainable, ultimately leading to performative architecture. The research and practice aim to develop sustainable, smart buildings by using performance as a design motivator. Amit Gupta and Britta Knobel Gupta launched the practice with the belief that computational tools may be used to develop elegant, performance-driven design solutions.

    Space Matters

    Space Matters
    Image Source

    Space Matters is a design firm created in 2005 by Amritha Ballal, Moulshri Joshi, and Suditya Sinha. The portfolio includes public Tragedy memorials, urban village planning initiatives in India, as well as commercial and residential spaces. The practice incorporates environmental, socioeconomic, technical, and cultural considerations, and has established research collaborations with Delhi’s School of Planning and Architecture Delhi, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the University of Gothenburg, and the University of Tokyo. 

    SPA Design

    SPA Design- best architecture firms in delhi
    Image Source

    Stephane Paumier, a French native, started S.P.A. Design in 2005 alongside Anupam Bansal and Krishnachandran Balakrishnan. The firm has designed and built prominent projects such as the Tarun Tahiliani headquarters, which was nominated for an AGA Khan Award in 2010, the Triburg headquarters, and the O.P. Jindal Global University. The practice’s design methodology includes extensive site context investigations, historical research, and technical development that employs local construction techniques, materials, and traditional spatial layout. S.P.A. emphasizes structural solutions as a technique of expressing and clarifying. 

    Anupama Kundoo- Architecture Firms in Delhi

    Anupama Kundoo- Architecture Firms in Delhi
    Image Source

    Anupama Kundoo’s work starts with the purpose of human need, sanctuary, and social connection. Her design communicates through nuances that encourage intimacy and variety, both sensory and spatial. Her portfolio includes her dwelling, the ‘Wall House,’ which was designed around a courtyard and built of vernacular compressed earth, handmade brick, and terracotta. A full-sized version of the Wall House was on display at the 2014 Venice Biennale.

    Vir Muller Architects

    Pankaj Vir Gupta and Christine Mueller founded Vir.Mueller Architects in 2003. The firm comes together on architectural research, education, and design practice. The approach responds to the character of its clients’ program, site, and budget, with a particular emphasis on material purity and workmanship to generate strong links between the physical environment and the art of architecture. Vir. Mueller Architects has designed office buildings as well as multifamily dwellings. 

  • 10 Best Architectural Government Scholarships: State-Sponsored and Within State Universities 

    10 Best Architectural Government Scholarships: State-Sponsored and Within State Universities 

    Public Scholarships for Indian Students 

    Scholarships primarily aim to ease the lives of students and reduce their financial burden allowing them to concentrate on their passionate major. Scholarships are funded by both private bodies like private institutions and organizations, charities, NGOs, and MNC social welfare foundations and governments at both state levels like Post Matric Scholarship Bihar, Digital Gujarat Scholarship, Odisha Scholarship and central level including Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses, National Scholarship Scheme, etc.

    While Reliance JIO Infocomm Limited Scholarships, CCB Welfare and Scholarship Scheme, Tata Trust Vocational Scholarship, Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship, etc. are private scholarships, governments, and government institutions also offer scholarships based on various criteria for the welfare of the youth of the Nation leading to the betterment of the Nation itself. Government scholarships are either merit-based or need-based and at times awarded based on social call. This article enlists and describes a few arbitrarily selected state-sponsored scholarships and scholarships in public universities, both regional and international for Indian students who are willing to pursue a course in Architecture. 

    AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF)- Government Scholarships

    government scholarships
    AICTE (The All India Council for Technical Education)_aicte-india.org

    AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) aims to foster a rich transfer of knowledge in AICTE-approved institutions or AICTE-affiliated Universities via funding for research and scholarships for research fellows. ADF intends to encourage doctoral research in the fields of Engineering & Technology, Management, Design, Planning,  Applied Arts, Crafts and Design, Hotel Management and Catering Technology, and Computer Application and the subsequent formation of collaborative knowledge societies in the respective fields in AICTE-approved institutions.

    Either the student or the concerned university can approach AICTE ADF authorities or visit the AICTE ADF portal to apply for the scholarship given they fulfill the eligibility criteria. In addition to qualifying from graduate and post-graduate courses from the AICTE-recognized universities from their respective fields, they have to attempt and obtain pass percentages in the qualifying examinations like GATE/SRF for Engineering and Technology, GATE/NET for Planning and CEED/NET for Design. 

    Under the scheme, the Junior Research Fellow obtains a scholarship amount of Rs. 37,000 per month while the Senior Research fellow gains an amount of Rs. 42,000 per month. Further, the candidates are provided with housing allowance or hostel accommodations besides the Contingency Grant of Rs. 15,000 per year to fund the other expenses of the research. More information about the scholarship for students is available at https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/ADF-Scheme

    AICTE PG Scholarship (GATE/GPAT)

    AICTE PG Scholarship aims to facilitate postgraduate education of needy meritorious students in the fields of Engineering, Technology, and Design in AICTE-recognized institutions. GATE/GPAT/CEED qualified students admitted as full-time students in Master of Engineering, Master of Technology, and Master of Design or enrolled in the 9th semester of dual degree integrated programs holding a valid Adhaar ID are eligible to apply for this scholarship. 

    According to this scholarship, an amount of Rs. 12,400 per month is granted to the selected applicant for a period of 24 months if enrolled in Masters programs. More information about the scholarship for college students is available at https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/PG-Scholarship-Scheme/General-instruction or https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/PG-Scholarship-Scheme.  

    Türkiye Scholarships

    Türkiye Scholarships aims to extend equal opportunities for deserving students irrespective of their nationality to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral courses of their choice in prestigious Turkish institutions. Applicants who are citizens of any country except Turkey can apply for this scholarship provided they meet the age limit and minimum grade criteria. The applicants must not be above 21 years of age for undergraduate programs, 30 years of age for master’s programs, and 35 years of age for PhD programs. While undergraduate candidates require a minimum of 70% grade, graduate candidates require that of 75%.

    The successful candidate receives 3.500 Turkish Lira per month if he/she has availed a scholarship for an undergraduate program, 5.000 Turkish Lira per month for a master’s, and 6,500 Turkish Lira per month for a Ph.d. More information is available at https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/. https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/about 

    Study in Italy Grant, MAECI scholarships

    MAECI_di Romina Ferrante
    MAECI_di Romina Ferrante

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers this scholarship in an attempt to bolster its international presence and cooperation in cultural, scientific, and technological fields, in addition to nurturing the Italian language and culture and boosting its economy. Both Italian and international students residing abroad instead of in Italy willing to pursue a course in Italy can apply for this scholarship. Further, the applicants must be less than 28 years old at the time of applying, hold an undergraduate degree recognized in Italy, and have proof of proficiency in either English or Italian depending on the medium of instruction. 

    The successful candidate will receive a monthly stipend of 900 euros for either a six-month or nine-month study period. Additionally, they will not have to pay tuition fees, except for a regional tax of 140 euros and a duty stamp of 16 euros. More information about the scholarship for students is available at https://www.esteri.it/en/opportunita/borse-di-studio/per-cittadini-stranieri/borsestudio_stranieri/ or https://www.unipi.it/index.php/tuition-fees-and-financial-support/item/9725-maeci-scholarships

    ASEM DUO-Sweden Fellowship

    Established in 2010, the primary purpose of the ASEM-DUO Scholarship is to facilitate the exchange of students between those enrolled in Sweden universities and selected Asian countries’ universities which includes India. Unlike other scholarships discussed herein, this is an exchange fellowship and thus requires two willing students from different universities. For the same reasons, the eligibility criteria are complex and institutional-based, not just individual student-based.

    The total scholarship amount is 8000 Euros and based on the scholarship, the Asian student is awarded either 3,500 or 4000 Euros, and the Swedish student is awarded either 3,500 or 3000 Euros depending on whether the Asian country is identified as a high or low-income country. More information about this fellowship is available at https://asem-education.org/news/asem-duo-sweden-programme-2024-open-call-for-applications/

    IDEX Université Grenoble Alpes Master Scholarships, Université Grenoble Alpes

    The one-year-long scholarship is funded by the government of France and offered to international students willing to pursue a postgraduate degree offered by specific departments of the Université Grenoble Alpes. The students must apply for master’s in architecture at École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Grenoble (ENSAG), Université Grenoble Alpes, a public research university, before applying for the scholarship.

    The student is awarded 5,000 – 8,000 euros for one academic year based on the chosen program structure including internship period, academic performance, and demonstrated need.  More information about this scholarship for students is available at https://campusbourses.campusfrance.org/#/program/999

    MartinSimmons Graduate Scholarship for Locally Focused Architecture, University of Waterloo

    University of Waterloo_uwaterloo.ca
    University of Waterloo_uwaterloo.ca

    Deeply rooted and indebted to the Waterloo region, MSS Architects Inc. and the Amy Hallman Snyder Award Fund at Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, support the MartinSimmons Graduate Scholarship for Locally Focused Architecture with a noble cause of supporting and spreading local architecture.

    This scholarship is available for graduate students registered full-time in the first term of their thesis work in the master’s program in the School of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering. Students whose thesis research focuses on a local project in Waterloo Region or Wellington County submit their research proposal and abstract to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Research in Architecture for perusal. Upon selection, the student is notified in the Spring usually and awarded a scholarship worth $6,000.

    More information about the MartinSimmons Graduate Scholarship for Locally Focused Architecture is available at https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/awards/mss-architects-graduate-scholarship-locally-focused  

    AUT International Scholarships, Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies

    The target recipients of this scholarship are international students who are enrolled in a program within the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, Auckland University of Technology for the first time. Additionally, students must be enrolled full-time in a study program of 120 credits in order to apply for the scholarship. Deserving students from a master’s program are awarded an amount of 5000 Newzealand dollars for one year while undergraduate students are granted 5,000 Newzealand dollars in the first year, 3,000 Newzealand dollars in the second year, and 2,000 Newzealand dollars in the third year. More information about this scholarship for students is available at International scholarships and study with New zealand

    Architecture Centenary Award, University of Auckland

    On account of the centenary of the establishment of the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland, the alumni of the School initiated an Award; Architecture Centenary Award to recognize and applaud the accomplishment. This Award intends to financially assist a student pursuing a postgraduate degree in the field of Architecture and conducting research with an additional focus on innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to architecture and urban design within New Zealand.

    The candidate is selected based on merit, and successful students usually possess a minimum GPA of 7.00. Both the regional and international students are eligible for the award irrespective of other scholarships they hold. According to the scholarship, a lump sum payment of $2,000 is given to the chosen student during the third week of the first semester when they start their thesis year. 

    More information about the Architecture Centenary Award is available at https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/architecture-centenary-award-p162-cai.html#:~:text=The%20main%20purpose%20of%20the,of%20rapidly%20evolving%20social%20diversity.   

    Kevin Theobald Memorial Scholarship, Ball State University 

    Unlike other scholarships discussed herein, the students don’t apply for this scholarship instead fellow students nominate students who deserve the scholarship at the end of the third year. The scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate caliber and brilliance in their field of study and display financial need. More information is available at https://www.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/architecture/applications-financial-aid/scholarships#accordion_kevintheobaldmemorialscholarship

    FAQ

    1. What is AICTE?

    The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is a national-level council overseeing technical education in India. Initially formed as an advisory body in November 1945, it was later granted statutory authority by an Act of Parliament in 1987. The AICTE plays a crucial role in planning and advancing the technical education and management education system throughout the country.

  • Architectural Photography: An Alluring Artistic Expression of Architecture

    Architectural Photography: An Alluring Artistic Expression of Architecture

    Photography, as a form of artistic expression mediated by technical equipment, has risen to prominence among the arts, like the one that can most faithfully reflect reality and, thus, architecture, alongside the cinema. There is no doubt that architectural photography has become more accessible to people, who have progressed from viewers to authors of images, thanks to enormous wooden boxes carrying silver emulsion plates, digital cameras, and eventually our cellphones.

    History

    Since the invention of photography, one of the most popular topics has been architecture. The earliest surviving photograph is Nicéphore Niépce’s ‘View from the Window at Le Gras,’ which was taken in 1826 or 1827 and shows building rooftops. Buildings were especially well-suited to early photographic processes, which required lengthy exposure times and stationary subjects. As a result, architectural photography was one of the first specialties in photography.

    The relationship between architecture and photography has always been mutually beneficial, as evidenced by the selling and popularization of modern architecture in the 1920s and 1930s, which was aided by a group of progressive architectural photographers who used unconventional perspectives, lighting, nocturne, and other new techniques to help create a new vogue out of modern architecture.

    architectural photography
    Photo from ResearchGate

    Architectural photography was not immediately regarded as a “serious” art genre, despite the prominence of its practitioners. In reality, by the mid-1940s, few commercial architecture photographers had acquired the degree of prominence that art photographers had in consumer magazines.

    One reason for the late acceptance of commercial architectural photography was that countries that promoted new modern architecture, such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands, did not establish a new technique for photographing it in the early twentieth century.

    Elements to consider for architectural photography

    Aside from aesthetic concerns, photographers in this field face technical challenges because they must picture enormous subjects (such as buildings) while on location. They are frequently confronted with scenes that feature color casts from artificial lighting sources, as well as a contrast range that is greater than that of film or digital sensors.

    Photographers have worked around the above aesthetic and technical challenges since the origins of architectural photography 170 years ago, evolving through a succession of styles as the industry grew with advances in enterprise, technology, and fashion.

    Styles and philosophies

    When commissioning architectural photography, there are a few things to keep in mind. Photographers have a variety of techniques and ideologies, so it’s crucial to do your homework before committing to one. It’s critical to figure out whether the customer wants photographs for archival purposes, for sales, or for the photographer’s artistic flair.

    In an endeavor to depict detail as finely as possible, the elevation technique viewed photography as an extension of architectural expertise, and in many respects, appeared like a sketch. The “elevation” photograph was a head-on, virtually two-dimensional depiction of the building facade for these reasons.

    Similar to an architectural drawing of the time, the perspective of the image was generally centered around mid-height of the building. The photographer should ideally snap the image from an elevation in a nearby structure to obtain such perspective, hence the name “elevation” for this technique.

    On the other hand, the perspective approach stressed three-dimensionality. The photographer’s goal was to depict how the structures seemed; hence, the buildings were captured from a corner perspective.

    On the other hand, the perspective approach stressed three-dimensionality. The photographer’s goal was to depict how the structures seemed; hence, the buildings were captured from a corner perspective.

    Perspectives

    focus
    Photo from iPhone Photography School

    The photographer may opt to show some of the building’s surroundings, as well as unusual angles and views. Controlled viewpoints with a focus on non-converging and parallel vertical lines are frequently used.

    Light

    architectural photography
    Photo from Creative Boom

    Exterior architectural photography can take advantage of natural or ambient light, whereas interior photography frequently necessitates the use of supplemental lighting, such as electronic flash ‘strobes’ or incandescent ‘hot lights.’ This may take longer to set up, but it is ultimately more controllable than outside lighting, where shadows move, people and cars pass by, and so on.

    Space and objects

    camera
    Photo from Melbourne Photography

    Photographs are transformed into sets of the idealized image of architecture by relocating props such as furniture, objects, and art. When a photographer, for example, moves a couch from the perimeter wall to the centre of the room and puts the camera behind it, he is demonstrating a “space of activity” by positioning the furniture in relation to an assumed event. A table with place settings, goods on display for a cookout, or personal possessions strewn over a room can all contribute to this.

    photography
    Photo from Fast Company

    Whether a person appears in the frame or there is an implied presence, most architectural photography depicts occupied areas. The voids in the shot can now be occupied by the spectator. When individuals are placed within the frame, they become symbols of the events that are taking place, and they are shown in the right lifestyle or way for the structure or residence.

    Education

    architectural photography
    Photo from B&H

    Architectural photography is a branch of photography that focuses on capturing photos of buildings and other architectural structures that are both aesthetically pleasing and accurate representations of their contents. 

    Architecture photography is divided into two categories: exterior and interior. From the outside, photographing architecture. Images of a structure’s exterior are referred to as this. Interior architecture photographs. This refers to images of a building’s interior.

    Universities

    California Institute of the Arts

    California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) - Directory - Art & Education
    Photo from Art & Education

    CalArts, or the California Institute of the Arts, is a private art university in California. It was created by Walt Disney and his brother, among others. It is regarded as one of the best art schools in the United States.

    Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees in photography and media are available at CalArts. You’ll be encouraged to try out numerous mediums as a student.

    Parsons School of Design

    International Students | Parsons School of Design
    Photo from The New School

    The Parsons School of Design, which was founded in 1896, is one of the greatest art schools in the United States. It’s a for-profit art and design school. Parsons, located in New York City, offers budding photographers a choice of degrees (BFA and MFA).

    Students learn about analogue and digital photography in the full photography course. You’ll also learn about various mediums that will help you develop your design skills.

    Yale University School of Art

    Yale School of Art is an MFA-only institution in Connecticut. If you want to pursue a BFA, you must apply just to Yale University.

    Yale School of Art | Architect Magazine
    Photo from Architect Magazine

    Yale is regarded as one of the world’s most elite universities. Every week, photography students may expect extensive assessments of their work. Also included are introductions to various photographic materials, such as non-silver processes. Each year, only ten students are accepted. With an MFA from Yale, you’ll have a better chance of landing a great photography career.

    Tokyo Zokei University

    Zokei is a private university in Japan that is regarded as one of the greatest art schools in the country. “Zokei” means “formative design” in Japanese. After graduation, students can expect to have extensive understanding of both photography and design.

    Tokyo Zokei University - Wikipedia
    Photo from Wikipedia

    The photography academics at Zokei focus on documentary photography, artistic photography, and how our images are connected to the current world. Workshops, archiving, and other key areas of photography are also introduced to students.

    Royal College of Art

    Royal College of Art: Dyson Building | Haworth Tompkins | Archello
    Photo from Archello

    Royal College, in London, is the world’s only university that offers postgraduate art and design studies. Photography is one among them, and you can get a Master’s degree in it.

    The two-year programme is designed to assist photographers in developing their own personal style. As well as laying a strong foundation for their job.

    Rodchenko Moscow School of Photography and Multimedia

    Rodchenko Art School, Moscow - Der Greif
    Photo from Der Greif

    This school, which opened in 2006, offers a three-year programme. Students study a mix of Russian and foreign art forms. It teaches students about traditional and digital photography, video, post-production, and picture editing.

    Students must choose a specialized field. Documentary, art photography, video art, new media art, sound art, object, sculpture, and installation are some of the types of art.

    You will be allowed to study for free if you pass the entrance exam. The catch is that you must have a basic understanding of Russian in order to participate in classes and interact with other students.

    Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture

    HR services – School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Aalto University
    Photo from www.aalto.fi

    Aalto University was founded in 2010 after three prestigious Finnish universities combined. Aalto University was established as a societally connected research university.

    Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki University of Technology, and Helsinki University of Art and Design were the three universities. These are institutions with a lengthy and illustrious history.

    Former students of this famous university founded a major photographic movement in the European art scene. The Helsinki School is a collection of artists that trained at this university, making it a historical landmark in the field of photography. Since then, Aalto has occupied a prominent position among the world’s leading universities.

    Syllabus

    Topics Covered:

    • Fundamentals of Design Communication – Light, Colour, and Character of the Material
    • Computer Applications in Architectural Photography – High Dynamic Range
    • The perspective of History and Theory of Architecture – Control of Parallax
    • Visual Communication and Graphic Expression – Dusk Imagery
    • Architectural Photography – Film and Digital – Processing in Adobe Bridge and Photoshop
    • Batch Processing – Monitor Calibration
    • Color Management (Colors/Level) – Advance Eleven Color Profiled Printing

    Career opportunities

    27 Careers You Can Pursue Beside Architecture - Arch2O.com
    Photo from Arch20

    Multinational enterprises, foreign agencies, and non-profit groups are all possible employers for an architectural photographer.

    After five years of service, a Senior Level employee’s starting compensation ranges from INR 6,50,000 to INR 11,00,000. Architectural photography, like India, is a burgeoning field with a promising future. The real estate and architectural markets contribute significantly to GDP.

    team - The Construction of Villa Além
    Photo from The Construction of Villa Alem

    Candidates with good photographic and managerial skills can rise swiftly in their professions, reaching to the position of Director of Photography, where they must assess and develop photographs in order to make the operational process more practical and seamless.

    Photographers At Work Photo Contest Winners! - ViewBug.com
    Photo from ViewBug

    Candidates with a passion for research will always be in high demand. The candidate must be up to date on current architectural photography trends around the world.

    Depending on skill level and on-field experience, a fresher’s estimated average annual income could range from INR 3,00,000 to INR 8,00,00.

    Famous Architectural photographers

    Fernando Guerra

    Fernando Guerra, focus on architecture - gallery - Foto Abitare
    Photo from Abitare

    Fernando works as an architect for a living. It’s unsurprising that his photography gives the central building an unusual viewpoint. He approaches architecture photography with intention, inverting the structure and function of each subject. To illustrate the tremendous disparity in scale, he frequently inserts humans in his scenes.

    Fernando Guerra: A Photography Practice Under X-Ray | ArchDaily
    Photo from ArchDaily

    Tekla Evelina Severin

    bell collective
    Photo from Bell Collective

    Tekla is a photographer, colorist, and designer. She captures inventive and colorful building images with a touch of whimsy. She recognizes the small details that can add interest to images, such as furniture, colorful props, and other artistic features.

    ScandinavianDesign
    Photo from ScandinavianDesign

    Karen Vikke

    minimalist
    Photo from New Atlas

    Karen is a minimalist urban photographer from Denmark who captures breathtaking photographs with only her iPhone. The contrast between the sky and the buildings is particularly striking in her photographs. She uses vibrant colors to bring out the beauty and whimsy of even the most mundane structures.

    urban photographer

    José Luis Sáez

    José is an iPhone photographer, just like the preceding artist on this list. He shoots in black and white to emphasise contrast and texture. With the addition of human silhouettes, his images appear strange. To direct his audience through his images, he uses leading lines and diverse perspectives.

    How José-Luis Sáez Takes Amazing Black & White iPhone Photos
    Photo from iPhone Photography School

    Pascal Krumm

    colored subjects
    Photo from YouTube

    Who says building photography has to be monotonous? Pascal has a knack for spotting beautiful perspectives and brightly colored subjects, resulting in brilliant, life-filled photographs. He frequently photographs models in front of structures to give movement to the images. He’s also a music video director.

    director
    Photo from Pinterest

    Paul Eis

    Architecture Images: Paul Eis: colouring architecture
    Photo from Floornature

    Paul is a young German visual artist best known for his brightly colored architecture makeover series. He realized that grey buildings bore him, so he uses Photoshop to bring color to them. As a result, you’ll have a cheerful and fun appearance. In the realm of architectural photography, Paul’s technique is one of a kind.

    About Paul Eis - PAUL EIS - architecture and photography
    Photo from PAUL EIS

    Chris Hytha

    A Look at the Philadelphia-Area Winners of HOK's 2020 Futures Design  Challenge - HOK
    Photo from HOK

    Chris is an architecture student who began photographing buildings while still in school. He does elaborate and exact sketches of structures to assist him concentrate on the details when photographing them. Chris creates images that are full of movement and energy by posing individuals in his photographs and employing a variety of dynamic compositional approaches.

    A curated collection of Photography — HYTHA.CG
    Photo from HYTHA.CG

    New technologies such as stop motion photography have grown in popularity, particularly for documenting progress on the job site or in manufacturing processes, and there is a growing need for video footage for platforms like YouTube. With the introduction of new technologies such as drones, previously pricey approaches such as aerial photography have become more accessible.

    Tech can take your photography to the next level | Engadget

    There is considerable fear that traditional architectural photography may be threatened by the development in popularity of visualization technologies like as CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) and virtual reality. Despite the rising sophistication of available technology, high-quality photographic representations are typically thought to provide more accurate and dynamic portrayals of structures than computer simulations.