The Higher Education Review

Established in the year 2013, SJB School of Architecture and Planning has been aspiring to provide a pro-poor, pro- rural focus to a profession that is otherwise perceived to be elitist and urban. Based in Bangalore, the institution was established under the auspices of Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust, part of a thousand-year-old monastery that is running over 500 educational institutions.

With a vision to `think global and serve locally', SJBSAP is approved by the Council of Architecture (COA), India, and is affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, India.

The Institute aspires to be a `one-stop' destination for courses encompassing most disciplines that can be classified as part of the `Built Environment', in collaborations with international universities and professionals.

Having a tag of being the only School of Architecture in Karnataka that has studios & workshops open 24x7 for students' benefit, SJBSAP believes in Hands On experience (Haptic Teaching-Learning) through Study Tours, Workshops and site visits (Local/International). SJBSAP Faculty-Led Architecture Appreciation & Cultural Tours are most admired across the country with many older, established schools encouraging their students to be part of it.

Shaping Bright Future in a Conducive Environment
SJB School of Architecture and Planning aspires to be a `one-stop' destination for courses encompassing most disciplines that can be classified as part of the `Built Environment', in collaborations with international universities and professionals. In the last five years of its journey, the institute has evolved into a three program School with B.Arch, M.Arch (Construction Project Management) and University recognized Research Centre for Ph.D. In its early years, two programs have been conceived

Bachelor of Architecture and Masters of Architecture in Construction & Project Management along with university-recognized research Centre.

Few more Masters' Programmes in Urban Planning, Design & Development are in the conceptual phase. As soon as these two primary offerings of the school achieve stability, the focus will shift to bringing about specialized disciplines such as Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design and Construction Management emerging as the most comprehensive School in south India, with the aim of providing world-class planning for cities and rural areas.

"SJB School of Architecture and Planning aspires to be a `one-stop' destination for courses encompassing most disciplines that can be classified as part of the `Built Environment', in collaborations with international universities and professionals"

SJBSAP believes that the curriculum is 1/3rd of learning while the remaining 2/3rd has to be drawn from extensive travel both domestic and international as well as Industry and Site visits. The institute is known to harbor global ambitions having successfully participated in several joint studios in countries ranging from the US, Australia, Spain, Canada and UK and tours of works of masters like Frank Lloyd Wright and Tadao Ando, earning peer respect and laurels for its various innovative approaches to teaching.

The institute is also planning to help students develop a global outlook and for that it is planned that student exchange programs will be initiated with leading universities from the UK, USA, Australia, and the Far East. To bring students and professors from around the world to SJBSAP, the School will offer `Curated Architectural tours', giving them the option to explore Indian heritage and Architecture.

SJBSAP students have visited five countries under faculty supervision before they completed one year of the course. Apart from that, the institute happens to be the first in Karnataka to introduce Hands on Construction Workshops where students actually build various building components themselves. It also has the tag of being the only

School in Karnataka offering `Open House' sessions, allowing prospective students to attend sample classes conducted for B. Arch students, with prior appointments.

Setting Strong Foundation for Prosperous Future Today, in an Architectural Education, deep knowledge in academics, future trends in global practice, new emerging technologies, collaboration in working, expertise in specific fields, and understanding the skills required are the driving force in the future. Acknowledging this scenario, the institute offers a wonderful environment wherein the students get good opportunities to learn within the boundaries and also, they get opportunities for being part of internships.

The school organizes visits of professionals who recruit the students for internships under their guidance. Also, the institute has collaborations with MNCs for PG internships like RITES, Synergy & JLL. With all this, the institute is aspiring to equip their students with the needed skills required to thrive in the modern world and guide their students so that they realize their true potential.

A good number of webinars & workshops (online mode) have been conducted by the faculties of SJBSAP during the lockdown period which has really helped the students to grow. Annual Workshops on building performance simulation ( in association with The Energy Resources Institute, TERI, Bengaluru), parametric design workshops, green building related workshops, mud architecture workshops, alternative building technology workshops, designuru festival cum workshop, and others were on the list of the workshops that are organized by the institute.

The school also conducts seminars by experts from Industry, alumni students working in abroad, and others which became a good learning session for the students of the institute", says Shilpa Madangopal, Dean (In charge) SJBSAP.

Shilpa Madangopal, Dean (In charge):
A pioneering educator that aspires to create the perfect learning environment for their students could thrive and hone their skills in the best possible manner.