3D Architecture: Building Landmarks Goes Digital

Prof. Dr. P.S.N. Rao is currently the chairman of Delhi Urban Arts Commission, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India and the Head of the Department of Housing, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India.  Prof. Dr. Rao is an architect-engineer-planner, spearheading urban management affairs, noted speaker, writer, architectural journalist, consultant and urban development expert with more than 28 years’ work experience and over 100 publications including 4 books. He is also an adviser to various organisations. His impressive work experience includes various research projects related housing and urban development, designed townships and housing projects, worked in the area of Affordable Housing, consultant to various organisations including World Bank, USAID, DFID, etc. Dr Rao has also been honoured with an SPA Gold Medal, Indian Building Congress Medal, Shiksha Rattan Puraskar, Scroll of Honour Award for Contributions to the Real Estate Sector. 

1.       What are your inputs on Architecture in India as a career option today? Architecture is a multidisciplinary and very creative field.  One needs a background in basic maths, science, history, construction technology, fine arts and aesthetics.  One also needs to have a grasp of the fundamentals of Civil Engineering to be a good architect. It is a very good career option provided one has a taste for it.  With increasing population numbers, urbanisation and migration to metropolitan cities and the aspiration for a better quality of life, the awareness of architecture is increasing.

2.       What are the positives of going ahead with a career in the same?  There will be a good demand for architects in the times to come.  The present Government is pro-development at an accelerated pace.  There is a need for skilled professionals in the area of housing, infrastructure and urban development.  More architects are needed in our cities as the opportunities are going to increase in the times to come.

1.       What are the career options in Architecture that are trending and offer a promising future to students? One can start one’s career by first working in the office of a senior architect.  Then one can start out independently in private practice.  There are many options for developing specialisation in niche areas also.  Many post-graduate courses are also available to provide specific inputs. An additional post graduate degree in Town Planning would be very useful. Further, there are many real estate developers for whom one can work. 
 

2.       Your views on Architecture as a profession in the years to come? As a profession, architecture is maturing now.  People do recognise the specialised skills of an architect and are willing to pay a fee for the services provided by an architect.  I do see a bright future for the architecture profession.

5.       What is 3D Architecture?

Architecture is all about proper space planning and design, blending function and form, using the appropriate structural elements, employing latest and appropriate technologies and materials in order to give the desired effect to create a pleasing and harmonious environment.  To do this, in the olden days, we used to use pencils and paper and make the drawings by hand.  Three dimensional (3D) drawings or perspective views were also made by hand. Today, we do this by using the computer to generate 3D views so that the architect as well as the client gets a realistic feel of the building proposed.  Youngsters are now specialising in using these software as it has become a need of the hour.

6.       Your views on the blend of digital field and architecture.

Digital advancements help architects and clients visualise the buildings even before they are built.  More than perspective views, the ‘walkthrough videos’ help to a great extent in proper visualisation.  This is a great help today to the architect.

7.       Any specialized courses or training that is available for the same?

There are many institutes which provide requisite training in use of computers in architecture.  This has become an integral part of the profession.  However, I have seen most students actually learn from each other, much better than joining a computer institute.  Most people just learn it as a ‘hands on’ experience from their peers.