‘Architecture is all about crafting contextual narratives’

Architects today are involved in urban planning, green infrastructure, heritage conservation, interior design, and smart city development. “Now with increasing global focus on climate resilience and sustainable living, the demand for innovative and eco-conscious architectural solutions is rising,” shares Tanya Agarwal, who passed out of Apeejay Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Greater Noida (AIT-SAP) in 2015. In a candid interview, she further adds how architects are instrumental in shaping skylines to improve lives.

How is the scope of Architecture as a profession?

The trends in India and across the globe are increasingly converging. The Indian architectural landscape is embracing digital tools, sustainable practices, and innovative design solutions that are in line with international standards. The scope extends far beyond traditional building design, encompassing Urban Planning and Smart Cities, Infrastructure Development, Heritage Conservation, Interior Architecture and Design, Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Digital Architecture and BIM, AI and Prefabrication, International Collaboration, and so much more.

What is the core pedagogy of architecture about?

In my opinion, the core pedagogy of architecture is embedded around cultivating design thinking as a fundamental skill. It’s not merely about teaching how to draw plans or construct buildings, but about fostering critical thinking and problem-solving. Architecture education must encourage students to move beyond obvious solutions and engage in critical analysis of both design as well as social problems.

It should also embrace digital tools and technologies, not just for representation but also for analysis, simulation, fabrication (3D printing, CNC machining), and collaboration.

Any advice for the aspiring students?

To all aspiring architects embarking on this exciting journey, remember that your education is about developing a profound understanding of the world you will shape. I urge you to cultivate one crucial pillar of architecture, i.e., deepen your contextual awareness and cultural sensitivity. Look beyond the immediate brief and ask these questions: Can your designs minimise energy consumption and maximise comfort? Can your designs respectfully integrate traditions, values, and social patterns of the people? What materials and construction techniques are locally accessible and sustainable? Can you integrate the diverse perspectives of individuals and communities into your architectural visions?

Developing this sensitivity will enable you to create architecture that is deeply rooted in its place and responsive to the people it serves.

How has AI redefined architecture as a subject of academics?

From an academic standpoint, AI has instigated a significant redefinition of architecture, prompting inquisitive shifts in what we teach and how we teach it. This transformation touches upon several key areas such as Expanding Design Toolkit, use of computational design software, AI-powered rendering and simulation tools, etc.

This necessitates stronger collaborations with disciplines like Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, and Environmental Studies. Curricula are beginning to reflect this need for interdisciplinary knowledge and also the evolving role of the architect as a curator, interpreter, and ethical steward of the built environment in collaboration with AI.