An architect is someone, who gives shape to the dreams of people. To become an architect, one does not only require a clear vision of thoughts but also a natural talent of being able to visualize.

First and foremost, to become an architect you must have cleared your ten-plus two with physics, chemistry, mechanical / engineering drawing and mathematics with a minimum of 60 percent marks.

After that, start preparing yourself for the entrance exam. Entrance to an architecture course is through national and state level entrance examinations.

• A national level entrance exam is conducted by the Council of Architecture for entry to undergraduate programmes in government and private institutes

• Tamil Nadu holds separate entrance exams at engineering and architecture colleges

• Private Architecture Iinstitutes in India conduct their own entrance exams

• One can appear for entrance in architecture programmes at the India Institutes of Technology through the Joint Entrance Exams (JEE) held in May every year

• You have to also appear for an aptitude test. This test is conducted to assess your ability in the following areas:

• Visual and Spatial Perception

• Colour Concepts

• Freehand Drawing

• Aesthetic Aptitude

What are the skills required to become an architect?

1. Good judgment and that power to analyze which is mainly seen in business people, artists and scientists are essential for an architect.

2. Good academic skills and background.

3. Analytical approach to look at things.

4. Observing vision.

5. Attitude to appreciate social and environmental factors.

6. Intense knowledge about the history of architecture.

7. Basic knowledge of well-known architects and their styles of working.

8. Keen interest to be a part of political, religious and historical events.

9. Good imagination and dynamism.

10. Responsible and disciplined approach to things.

11. Ability to work in a team.

12. Well-versed with legal language related to the profession.

13. Healthy body and physical stamina, which will be needed in the sites.

14. Good communication skills and the ability to build up a convincing image of the project.

One the whole, a successful architect must be talented, practical, interpersonal and organizational skills

Colleges to study architecture:

Sir JJ College of Architecture

78/3 Dr D N Road

Fort

Mumbai -- 400 001

College of Architecture

S No 341

Opposite Kherwadi

Bandra East

Mumbai -- 400 051

Rizvi College of Architecture

Rizvi Educational Complex

Off Carter Road

Bandra West

Mumbai -- 400 050

Indian Education Society's College of Architecture

791, Bandra Reclamation

Bandra West

Mumbai -- 400 050

National Institute of Construction Management and Research

Trust Office

Walchand Centre

Tardeo Road

Mumbai -- 400 034

Marathwada Mitra Mandal's College of Architecture

302A Deccan Gymkhana

Pune -- 411 011

Specialisation:

Some architects opt for specialisation at the post-graduate level. One can choose from an array of option available like urban designing, regional planning, building engineering and management, architectural conservation, industrial design, landscape architecture, naval architecture, architecture concerning traffic and transport planning, etc.

There are architects who also work in construction housing societies and apartments, schools, hospitals, commercial complexes, etc

Where all you can work:

i. Government organizations: In this case, pay scales are as per the rules set by the government. An architect in such an organization gets fixed salary and it is not as lucrative as the private sector. However, as we all know that there is job security in government jobs and also enjoys the advantage of perquisites like pension after retirement.

ii. Private architectural firm: The starting salary (stipend) in such a firm is around Rs 3,500 that increases to Rs 8,000 with a few years' experience.

Third is the category of consultants. They charge anything between 4 and 10 percent of the total cost of construction for apartments and multi-storied buildings. For independent houses and bungalows, they charge 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of construction.

To choose architecture as a career is definitely an interesting option. A career like this not only gives a vent to your creative abilities but also the visibility it deserves. Such a work, is seen and appreciated and if you build something extraordinary, it gets known to the world. So, get set and start preparing for your dream career now.