Career in Heritage and Conservation For Architects

"At the Best, preservation engages the past in a conservation with the present over a mutual concern for the FuturE    - William Murtagh

Shiv Temple at Ambernath                                                                

                                                                                                   

Measure Drawing of the ceiling of Sabha mandapa, Shiv Temple, 

Introduction:

The term Heritage in the real sense, can be implied to Build and Unbuilt spaces, tangible, intangible, antiquities, architectural styles of social, cultural significance. Also, areas or locations with unique natural phenomenon; geographically and geologically, such as hills, hillocks, mountains, water bodies, formations, etc., can be included under the term Heritage.

The term Conservation, is deemed to mean preserving, repairing, restoring, retrofitting, rehabilitate our built and unbuilt heritage, perceived in the long term interest of the Society. Conservation can be broadly understood as protecting everything under heritage, that adhere significantly to social, cultural, economic, environmental and emotional values.

Who can opt for a career in Heritage & Conservation?

If one is looking forward for a promising career in Heritage & Conservation as an Architect, then for this, we first need to understand the eligibility criteria to become an Architect. The Learner (aspirant) has to appear 12th HSC in Science stream, with 50% aggregate & 50% aggregate in PCM. Qualifying Entrance Exam - NATA or JEE Paper II.

For Further details, contact us at: 

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If the Learner has already a zeal towards Heritage and Conservation, the B. Arch. course curriculum offers plenty of opportunity in terms of Electives, College projects, Research activities, etc., by virtue of which, the learner gets a chance to learn about Heritage and Conservation, to inculcate attributes towards the same.                                                                                                                                                     

Also, the learner's zeal can be continued further by pursuing Masters in Architectural Conservation,in any recognized University, too. The eligibility criteria for Admission may differ for different Universities; Entrance Exams, GATE, Merit List, etc.

Some of the Universities along with their Courses are mentioned below:

1.  M.Arch in Conservation & Regeneration, Cept, Ahmedabad
2.  M.Arch. in Architectural History & Theory, Cept, Ahmedabad
3. M.A in Ancient History and Archaeology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh
4. M.A in History, Culture and Archaeology, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, APS University
5. M.A in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Banaras Hindu University
6. Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra
7. M.A in Archaeology, Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management, Delhi, New Delhi.
8.  Master in Archaeology and Heritage Management, New Delhi
9. M.A. Conservation National Museum Institute (Deemed University, New Delhi). Master in Conservation, Preservation and Heritage Management, Delhi Institute of Heritage Resources and Management, Delhi (Affiliated to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)
10. M.A. in Cultural Heritage and Conservation, Uttakal University of Culture, Orissa. M.A. in Conservation National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology (NMIHACM)  ........And Many More.

Architrave in Stone, Main Door of Garbha Gruha, Shiv Temple, Ambernath

Scope for Career in Heritage and Conservation

In a vast expanse like India, a country with immeasurable Heritage; both built & unbuilt alike, the scope for opportunities widens and there is no looking back. The Architect needs to know the methodology to conserve, preserve, restore, reconstruct, retrofit, repair, regulate the conjunct & context to its originality and aesthetics, though the user might change in due course. One learns Problem Solving techniques, mitigation and acquires Communication skills with various segments of the Society.

One will use appropriate representational media, such as traditional graphic and digital technology skills, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process, technically clear drawings, specifications, and prepare models.

The Architect also needs to know to incorporate modern interventions within the original, without losing the integrity of the Heritage value of the Structure. Also, to maintain the fabric of the place, in its existing stage or by retarding deterioration, by removing accretions or by reassembling existing components, without introducing new components.

Hence, one nurtures an entrepreneurship, which comprehends building technology and be able to apply that comprehension to their services thereby enhancing the Communication Skills.

The scope also includes, that the above should be done in consultation with the Authority, Competent Authority, existing Law and regulations, intensive Documentation in terms of event, process, photography, intensive measure drawing (before, during & after restoration), etc.

Organizations such as Archeological Survey of India (ASI), The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), International Network For Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU), Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI), The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), Ministry Of Culture, Ministry Of Urban Development, etc., are actively involved in the Conservation of Heritage Monuments & precincts.

These organizations also keep collaborating with various experts & other allied institutions in the form of Competitions, inviting Research oriented projects,  Documentation, etc., where the Learner can register at even undergraduate level, can actively participate and get the work recognized or published, giving a boost to One's Career.

Some of the ongoing projects for INTACH are: Chhatar manzil Palace at Lucknow, Saint Andrews Church at Daman & Diu, Restoration of Balaji Ghat at Varanasi

Demand for Architects in Heritage and Conservation

Being an Architect and into mainstream Heritage and Conservation offers a dual entrepreneurship with multiple opportunities. Built & unbuilt Heritage in the Indian context, is continuously in need of expertise and attention, simply, due to the vastness and diversified monumental Architecture, along the Indian Sub-continent.

Hence, The Authority, Competent Authority, National and International Organizations, increasing awareness of preserving the heritage, has truly added value to the Career in Heritage and Conservation as an Architect.

Key Skills & Knowledge pursual, required for an Architect to pursue Career in Heritage & Conservation are:

History, Architecture, Design Sensibilities, Archeology, Engineering, Culture & Community, Art Legality, Documentation, Research Attribute, Project Management

Along with Application of ethical principles and commitment to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of Architectural practices, one can be more knowledgeable, Researcher, Entrepreneur, a person preserving the values of Society and make him....

Explore... Experience... Educate... Express... Encourage... Evolve...

Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur 

Restored painted ceiling in Ajanta Caves                                              

 - Ar. Rajesh C.Parmar, Associate Professor, Thakur School of Architecture &Planning