Architectural colleges of India are the budding points of future architects of the country. Therefore, the importance of an institute of credibility is unquestionable. Surfaces Reporter (SR) surveyed the top architectural colleges of India offering Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) courses to aid the future architects in choosing the right institute to fulfil their dreams. This list is not made depending on any ranking but only based on credibility as per the collected information from the industry.
Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, Ahmadabad
Founded in 1962, the institute specializes in the different areas of the natural and developed environment of human society. Although the institute offers courses in a number of related disciplines, the architecture course here is particularly famous. It has a number of dedicated research wings that specialize in producing architects of exceptional calibre. Some veteran architects such as Bimal Patel, Rahul Mehrotra, Chitra Vishwanath, Hamsukh Patel have graduated from the CEPT.
School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi
With over 1000 students pursuing their degree in architecture and planning in this institute, it has separate blocks for planning and architecture. With an excellent infrastructure to its credit, the institute has already finalized plans for setting up a new campus at Vasant Kunj. A major part of the college's funding comes from its alumni, most of who are well placed in life. Some notable alumni of the institute include Raj Rewal, Sonali Rastogi, Eugene Pandala, and Revathi S. Kamath.
Indian Institute Of Technology, Kharagpur
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, offers many courses from multiple disciplines including the architecture course. This course focuses on taking students out for outings to see various architectural marvels across the lengths and breaths of the county. That way the students are exposed to a more practical learning approach and they are able to apply what they learn in the classroom to what they see in these excursions.
Sir J. J. College Of Architecture, Mumbai
Established in the pre-independence era, this was the first architecture college in Asia. With architects, planners and even writers like Arundhuti Roy making their way in the institute's distinguished line of alumni, the institute has always ensured that creativity remains in the pinnacle of learning in the institution. This old institution has adapted itself with the changing times to establish a strong foothold in the field of architecture in the country. It has an array of latest software and technology that is introduced as a part of the curriculum of the institution. Ar Prem Nath is one of the notable alumni architects of the college.
Chandigarh College Of Architecture, Chandigarh
Established in 1961 under the Punjab University, this institute has a number of notable alumni to its credit. Baburam Bhattarai, the 35th Prime Minister of Nepal was one of them. Other than the classroom teaching that happens on the premises of this institute, the focus is also on the all-round development of the students. That is why the college focuses on fests and other events. The celebration of ‘Corbu Day' is among the best among the architectural colleges of the country. Some notable alumni are Sahil Kaushal, Maninder Bajwa etc.
National Institute Of Technology, Tiruchirapalli
Started in the year 1980, the architecture department of National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, specializes in producing professionals of exceptional calibre who take the environmental concerns into consideration while designing human structures. Another key point to be noted here is the fact that most of the students who have graduated out of this department are seen to fare very well in life.
RV College of Architecture, Bangalore
R.V. College of Architecture (RVCA), established in 1992, started off as Department of Architecture in R. V. College of Engineering (RVCE). In 1995, the department shifted to an independent new building within the RVCE campus. The department was renamed to R.V School of Architecture in 2009. In 2014, it shifted to a new campus with affiliation to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, Karnataka. This campus is an iconic example of contemporary architecture housing Academic Block classrooms, seminar halls & studios, Administration Block and Hostel Block.
Department of Architecture and Planning, IIT Roorkee
The Department of Architecture and Planning belonging to the renowned IIT Roorkee imparts high-quality education in the professional fields of Architecture and Planning. It started providing the B.Arch in 1956. The department has the singular distinction of being the first in India in instituting a Masters Degree program M. Arch. in the year 1969-70 and later another one, MURP in 1973-74. The Department has facilities like Climatology Lab, Computer Lab, and Computerized Design Studios equipped with state-of-art equipment and software, an Art Lab and a Workshop. A prestigious lab on Net Zero Emissions, set up under the INDO-UK program, is the latest addition in the department.
Birla Institute Of Technology, Mesra
The five-year architecture course at BITS Mesra is one that has been consistently excelling in terms of placements. Other than that, it also offers a post-graduate degree of masters of Urban Planning. These courses are highly appreciated by the Institute of Town Planners, India. The research facility in the college is commendable with the best of technology being made available to its students.
Nirma University, Ahmadabad
In 2003, the Nirma University was established under a special Act passed by the Gujarat State Legislative Assembly by the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF). It is a research-oriented, student-centric, multidisciplinary, not-for-profit state private university. Since its inception, it has emerged as a nationally renowned higher education institution. The University and its constituent institutes are highly ranked by different ranking agencies.
This list was brought to you by an exclusive survey done by SR among the industry experts. We have another list with more names.
Read here: Best 25 Architectural Colleges of India for you