The architectural services market is estimated at USD 351.69 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 485.24 billion by 2029. In the Indian context, the architecture industry is growing steadily with increasing demand for infrastructure development, booming real estate sector, and rapid urbanization. The Indian architecture space has undergone many transformations over the centuries and the revolutionary advancements in technology in the last few years have steered the industry in a futuristic direction. However, the academic sphere of architecture in the country could not evolve itself in tandem with the enormous shift in the outlook of the concerned industry. The educational institutions follow the age-old curriculum limiting the horizons of knowledge to traditional architectural practices, thereby weakening the industry-academia linkage.

This raises a dire need for reformation in architectural education to train young minds according to the latest industry trends, as rightly felt by Symbiosis Skills & Professional University (SSPU). The institution is dedicated to redefining the traditional curriculum for architectural learning to bridge the gap between the industry and academics and equip the students with the relevant skills to thrive in the professional world.

Inspired by the mission of Skill India, SSPU offers a diverse array of Bachelor's and Master’s programs in Architecture and Design to enable a skill-based education in Maharashtra. Since its inception in 2017, its vision of deploying hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom helps students to upgrade themselves according to the latest industry requirements. SSPU has been building on the idea of creating skilled architects in a divergent way and educating their students on the intricacies of architecture through adaptable pedagogy that transcends the boundaries of traditional architectural learning and provides the students with insights into modern architectural technologies.

Manifesting Progressive Approach to Education

“Tell Me and I Forget; Teach Me and I May Remember; Involve Me and I Learn”- Benjamin Franklin This is the Philosophy of School of Architecture, Urban Development and Planning (SAUDP). The aim of this School is to bridge the gap between industry and education. With its founding principles of academic excellence, hands-on practices, and research aimed at addressing real-world problems.

SAUDP focuses on creating an academic atmosphere for the students that is conducive to practical learning experiences through direct engagement with the industry. The institution structures curricula for various UG and PG programs in Architecture and Design that heavily focus on enhancing digital literacy by introducing their students to various software and AI. The attentive approach to training the students to grow as advanced architects prompts SSPU to develop a learning infrastructure that accommodates state-of-the-art lab facilities such as an exposed plumbing system, tilling yard, construction, and carpentry yard along with the 3D printer, laser cutting machines, and well-ventilated studios.

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SSPU’s School of Architecture offers a five-year bachelor's course in Architecture, a Bachelor of Design in Interior design, and a Master's in Planning in Urban planning. The programs mainly focus on sustainable solutions, watershed management, waste management, renewable energy technologies, building simulation, acoustics, thermal comfort, project management, modern building technologies, and future digital skills to address the pressing challenges in the field of Interiors and Architecture. To ensure industry exposure from the beginning of different programs, the students avail internship opportunities every year right from the First year of academics.

SSPU also introduced various scholarship programs for the students of Maharashtra and the students from SAARC countries and Nepal. The University also offers various other Sector specific academic programs in Engineering, Management, Beauty, and Wellness, and Data Science such as a BBA in Fintech, Logistics and supply chain management, Automobile engineering, and a B.Tech in mechatronics, Smart and Sustainable Energy, Construction and Infrastructure Management, etc. The courses are designed to help students gain a profound understanding of niche market segments. This determination of achieving Academic excellence through skilling has resulted into Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) securing the 1st position in the Skill Universities category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024. This prestigious ranking was released by the Ministry of Education on 12th August 2024 at New Delhi.

Dr. (Ar.) Gauri Shiurkar, Director at SSPU’s School of Architecture, Urban Development and Planning adds, “We have the freedom of exploring newer teaching methodologies and experiential learning methodologies. The academic freedom allows us to experiment with the methodology. Hence, as teachers, we get an opportunity to think out of the box, to implement different methodologies. Moreover, we need to constantly upskill ourselves, keep ourselves abreast of the ongoing happenings in the industry to equip the students with the latest technologies”.

Future Endeavours

As the latest technologies continue to influence the overall fabric of the architectural profession, the space will expect more technological expertise from future architects. SSPU interacts with industry leaders and gains further insights into the latest industrial practices to incorporate them into the curriculum. Their vision is to be at least five years ahead of the contemporary market scenario helps them stay ahead of the curve and facilitates their aim to prepare the students to be future-ready. “We envision emerging as one of the leading architecture schools both nationally and internationally in the next five years. We are striving towards the goal with the constant support of our management and with the guidance and academic freedom that our Honorable Chancellor Dr. S.B.Mujumdar and our Honorable Pro-chancellor Dr.Swati Mujumdar provide us with. We are planning on including more courses under the PG program and more design programs in the coming future”, Shiurkar concludes.