The Higher Education Review

Architecture is the balanced integration of artistic sensibility and scientific methodology and hence is referred as the art and science of building. Architectural education combines creative approach and the critical thinking. R V College of Architecture, located in Bangalore has been a frontrunner in the field of architectural education and research in India since its inception over two decades ago.

The college focuses on imparting education, which equips students with multi-faceted skills and enables them to become well-rounded intellectuals and professionals. “The pursuit of Architecture at RVCA is a passion and a way of life. A well- defined vision and mission policy empowers and guides all our academic, practice and research endeavors.

At RVCA, we provide the ideal environment that inculcates a questioning attitude and yet inspires budding architects to be innovative, creative and let their imagination soar,” says Dr. Om Prakash Bawane, Principal, R V College of Architecture.

R V College of Architecture was instituted in 1992-93, as a Department of Architecture within the premises of the R V Engineering Campus, with an initial intake of 30 students. In the initial stages, the department brought in reputed architects in Bangalore as visiting faculty to add expertise in the teaching panel, which is practiced as an institutional policy in the school till date. The department started to make a mark by its academic rigor and earnestness in the cause of architectural education and shifted to its independent new premises within the RVCE campus, in 1995.

The course was accorded autonomy status by Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) and University Grants Commission (UGC) during 2009. With this new status, the college broadened its horizon by introducing the postgraduate program in Urban Design under the aegis of VTU.

Today, RVCA offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in Architecture approved by Council of Architecture and affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum. Dr. Bawane opines, “The learning process, for a discipline like architecture needs to be interactive, participatory and creative at its core. Interaction with architects from the field, eminent academicians and illustrious alumni can vastly impact the quality of education. Guided design collaborations amongst students to improve learning from peer groups, is another method practiced at RVCA. The intense involvement of practicing architects in design studios provides students an insight of various facets of the profession of architecture. The seminars, talks, interactive sessions with renowned architects and consultants keep students abreast of current practices in the industry.”

He further adds, “The syllabus offers the right mix of knowledge and studio based subjects. With a balanced focus on creativity technology and sustainability, the curriculum at bachelor and master level program prepares the students to confront the challenges of the coming era.”

RVCA has been widely recognized by architecture professionals and Institutes across the world as a Centre for Excellence in architectural education. “Since architectural education is primarily design centric, practicing architects form a large section of the faculty members teaching the B.Arch and March core courses like design studios. At RVCA, the faculty members’ expertise in various fields like interior design, urban design and sustainability contributes to the diversity of the teaching panel and encourages new collaborations

. Hence, our relationship with the architectural fraternity is a very sought after association,” states Dr. Bawane. He continues further and adds, “The architects who teach at RVCA take immense pride in their association with the college and recommend the college as a beacon of academic pursuit in architectural education worldwide.

As of 2016, over 64 architects were associated with RVCA as adjunct and visiting faculty. These associations with the practicing architects help students immensely in getting some real hands on feedback for their design pursuits. At institutional level, RVCA is in active collaboration with Institute of Architects, Institute of Interior Designers and consultants from the industry in HVAC, lighting and building automation.” Dr. Bawane says, “The graduates from R V College of Architecture are highly valued for their creative abilities and design capabilities.

Most of the students succeed in securing place for internship in leading design firms during their Professional Training or Internship Semester, which eventually turns into placements. The Training and Placement Cell facilitates the students in seeking placement in various Architecture and Urban Design firms across India.

The institute receives 100 percent placements every year. The students are placed in various firms both national and international with initial annual package ranging between Rs. 2.5 – 3.6 LPA.” “Selection of high caliber teaching talent, specialization by faculty members, academic rigor, devotion to the cause of learning architecture and altruism towards education are the core values that set RVCA apart from the other architecture institutions. These values create an ideal environment for learning architecture and distinguish R V College of Architecture from the rest across India,” concludes Dr. Bawane.