Visits during my Architecture course

As a former architect student during my B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) @ AMS Academy of Architecture, I was quite fortunate to visit many places and buildings present locally, nationally, and internationally. Purposes of these visits were usually either of the following; site study, Still-life sketching exercises, research and documentation of areas, case studies, Class trips, Architectural competitions, and so on. 

It has been an epic journey so far and so let me share with you some of my iconic trips and places visited along with a short note about them, and the purpose of my visits during my course.

1. Art study & Sketching @ Dakshin Chitra & Semmozhi Poonga

In the first few months of Architecture, we were asked to explore different cultures present locally and understand the characteristics of their dwelling. No better place to visit than, Dakshin Chitra – Chennai’s Best Heritage Museum to get an exciting overview of cross-culture, art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts, and performing arts of South India. Following are some of the sketches done and details acquired during the 1st semester of my course. 

Divided into small groups of 3 we were asked to document, sketch, click loads of pictures and enjoy the experience of indulging in some hand-made crafts, pottery lessons, and other exciting activities with rememberable items to take back home or buy from souvenir shops at this beautiful center of heritage. 

Speaking of sketching, a visit to Semmozhi Poonga - a lush botanical garden visited for the purpose of still-life drawing of the colorful gardens was a feast for all the senses of the mind. With sketch-pads, pencils, and cameras, we found ourselves a comfortable shaded spot and began our sketching spread at different parts of the garden sketching various elements found there. Some being shared below;

2. Rural Study @ Udayalur, Kumbokonam

Towards the end of our 2^nd year, the studio focused on a holistic understanding of the socio-cultural, geographic and economic aspects of a rural settlement at Udayalur - a village in the Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.

We stayed in a resort close to the Udayalur village as the survey & rural study carried out for over 4-5 days from sunrise to sunset. With beautiful scenic views & an ancient history behind it, the place & its experience was one of a kind. Some of the photos of 3D models done by our group of the rural settlements have been shared below:

3D Physical models of Rural settlements @ Udayalur

The emphasis on the importance of designing the built form and open spaces that meet the aspirations of the community was looked upon. Enabling us to present concepts through 2D and 3D presentation including sketches and models for proposals for a “Heritage stopover.”

3. Architectural events, competitions, panel discussions @ NASA

The National Association for Students of Architecture a.k.a NASA was the one epic platform for colleges all over India to showcase their works in the form of various exciting competitions, on-spot events, cultural performances, and other exciting extra-curricular activities. 

Visited colleges in India at:

· Annual NASA events at cities like New Delhi, Surat, Coimbatore, etc.
· Panel discussions at Trivandrum.
· Zonal level sports competitions at Architecture colleges in Chennai for Dodgeball, Throw Ball & 

  Chess competitions.

All these events and their participation had their own joy and fun. Traveling with other numerous aspiring architectural students, discussing projects and when luck favored, even to be fortunate enough to have been awarded for some of them. 

The whole process was amazing. As a group, we also got a chance to present at a GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) National Summit in Delhi and got featured In “Nav-Bharat Times” Newspaper – Delhi, India.

4. North India Tour

By the 4^th year, a class trip of a North India Tour was made possible amidst our Practical training. The aim of this tour was to visit as many monumental, historical, and architecturally renowned structures as possible,, that would offer their features & characteristics thoroughly. The cities visited were Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaiselmer, Chandigarh, Old Delhi, New Delhi, and Agra.

At the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Experiencing this activity of observing the ancient architectural features of the many structures visited with their intricate designs and their history was every architect student’s dream. Along with me, my entire batch was living the dream too. To name a few of the places visited in these cities where:

1. Jama Masjid, Ahmedabad

2. Adalaj Step Wells, Ahmedabad

3. CEPT- Centre for Environment Planning & Technology, Ahmedabad

4. Mehrangarh fort, Jodhpur

5. Golden fort, Jaiselmer

6. Desert Safari with Musical dance & campfire, Jaiselmer

7. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

8. Virasat – E – Khalsa, Chandigargh

9. The Capitol Complex, Chandigarh

10. Qutub Minar, Red Fort - Old Delhi

11. India Gate, Lotus temple - New Delhi

12. Taj Mahal, Agra

Exploring so many wonderful spots and places in a span of 2-3 weeks was tiresome yet enjoyable. Approx. 2-3 days per city, traveling, jumping from one station to another - we were on a roll! Clicking photos, sketching, finding routes, talking to the locals, trying different dishes and specialties of various cities and not to forget the shopping! – everything was a surreal experience.

5.       Thesis Research & Documentation trip to UAE

Coming to the end of my B.Arch course, my thesis proposal was a Tourist destination and site chosen as OMR, Chennai – the project comprised of a resort, paradise garden, and a marine entertainment complex with the incorporation of an Indo-Saracenic styled architecture (also known as Indo-Gothic, Mughal-Gothic, Neo-Mughal, Hindu style)

Taking this project more seriously and vital, I took it up a notch and was open to the option of even making it an international trip to make this one count! With the right list of places researched prior, the decisions to visit UAE for this type of topic seemed preferable, specifically Dubai. 

Study visit at Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

Accompanied for this trip to UAE by my lovely supportive mother was a true blessing. My adventurous study trip became far more enjoyable with my favorite travel companion! 

My mom and I at the Dubai Miracle Gardens.

To name a few places visited for my Thesis study included:

1. For the research of my Marine entertainment complex proposal – Visited Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Lost Chambers Aquarium, Ossiano underwater restaurant - Dubai 

2. For the research on resorts & touristic activities – Visited Madinat Jumeriah - the Arabian Resort is a 5-star resort in Dubai, the largest resort in the Emirate.

3. For incorporating intricate designs & adding a unique style to the project – Visited Souk Madinat Jumeriah- Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Mosque – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace - Abu Dhabi

4. For the design of Paradise Gardens in the tourist destination – Visited Miracle Gardens, Dubai.

Other sites seeing spots visited in UAE related to Architecture include Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Ibn Batuta Mall, Louvre Museum - Abu Dhabi, Yas Viceroy Hotel, and Masdar city. 

At the Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Mall.

Special mentions: Case study @ CMBT, Adyar Riverfront & other site visits.

During the 5 years course of Architecture, the design studio focused on topics that required visits for case study locally in the city too, resulting in utmost thrill. For instance, the 3^rd year studio projects of an Inter-city Bus terminus required our group to study the CMBT (ChennaiMofussil Bus Terminus) around a bustling group of individuals at the bus stand spotting us conducting our study was so different and a bit weird too, for us as students during the survey and for them as spectators too! 

And then in 5^th year for an Urban design project of a Waterfront development required to document the specified stretch at the Kotturpuram region of the Adyar River @ Chennai. 

The design projects in the course also offered sites at various locations, widely spread all across the city situated at interesting nook & corners. With endless walks, hikes to sites and their surrounding location, interacting with related officials, and visiting government offices – all of it seemed tedious at times but was important to get done. It was crucial to understanding the site as we needed to reciprocate decent proposals for the project by understanding the site at its best & neighboring factors too.

Being AWSOMATIC! 

I am so grateful to have been part of this course and which is why I take a lot of pride in being an Architect and studied architecture. As I was fortunate to have visited all these dynamic and extra-ordinary places, which I was truly blessed with all this while. 

Each visit, trip, tour, and experience will truly be cherished forever. All this hard work and dedication was all worth it, as I came out in flying colors as a University Rank Holder which was the icing on the cake! Anyways hope you enjoyed reading it too and visit any place mentioned if you could, you would truly thank me later!

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