Prof. Archana Singh Rathore is a Professor at the Aayojan School of Architecture, Jaipur. She is a Graduate in Architecture , Post Graduate in Town & Country Planning and currently she is pursuing Ph.D . She has an experience of over 2 decades in academics and research. She has received several recognitions and awards in her field and is an expert academician.

Aayojan School of Architecture

Have you introduced any new programs at your college?

“Building a Heritage Bank to create documents for heritage structures across Rajasthan”

We have commenced a Heritage Bank, wherein the purpose is to create documents for heritage buildings/ precincts or towns across Rajasthan, in the form of monographs.

Aayojan Documentation Cell has initiated the creation of these Monographs- which are essentially resource documents consisting of a brief history, drawings, structure details, construction techniques, etc for future use. 

So far under this document series, the first four Monographs namely Chood Singh ki Haveli at Amber, Madhavendra Palace at Nahargarh, Hawa Mahal at Jaipur & Jaigarh at Amber have been published; in their efforts to disseminate knowledge and promote the architectural heritage of Rajasthan. 

What do you think your role and responsibilities to the college and the students are?

“Working towards making Aayojan a state of the art facility where thoughts and ideas are propagated”

Creating and fostering a conducive and explorative learning environment for students. It should stimulate and encourage progressive critical thinking in future generations to let go of their inhibitions and surpass their perceived capabilities.

Check Aayojan School of Architecture Courses & Fees

What are the challenges you face to uplift the quality of education of your department?

“The students today want a great deal of freedom in terms of explorative learning methods”

Studios are no longer confined within four walls as students like to work from unconventional spaces such as canteen, corridors, steps, etc. At the same time, the challenge is also to sensitize students who come from all walks of life and break their conditioning to look beyond what is and strengthen their observation. This is necessary to understand the various issues at local, regional, national as well as international level and develop solutions which are people and their environment centric. 

What makes Architecture different from other professional courses?

“A unique amalgamation of conception, creation, and innovation for societal growth” 

Architecture in the early modern period was totalitarian, meaning thereby that the Architect used to provide all the services required for planning, designing, and construction, right up to the occupancy of the building. However, they were all individual and customized to the core.

In the present-day world, Architects now have to find solutions to the problems related to energy, food, water, as well as that of Climate Change. Architecture, in the current age, works along with so many other fields such as AI, and other innovations. This course allows individuals with multiple interests to explore design for the greater good.

How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects and make it industry-oriented?

“Interactive programs and interactions with renowned experts for a modern outlook towards this field”

Architecture as a course is essentially a practical subject as it engages one’s mind to provide design solutions to present-day needs. Hence the course and related curriculum itself make it an imperative factor that the students learn about developments in the construction industry, explore new-age innovations. So, whether they are age-old or new materials, energy-efficient techniques, or 3d printing, we engage with industry and professionals and facilitate interaction programs for our students. This keeps them updated with regards to changes in our lives and environments.

What was your vision when you joined this institute?

“To implement education that allows for continuous and efficient learning”

It has been an honor as well as my pleasure to have been associated with Aayojan since its initial 

days of being the only college offering an Architecture course. Since the beginning of my journey as a teacher, I have been focused on giving the students my best and developing an affinity with them. Students bring forth varied ideas and question existing norms, hence pushing us teachers to keep evaluating and updating ourselves. 

So, even after twenty years, I have been able to bring out the best in my students and have been able to push boundaries alongside them.

Read Aayojan School of Architecture Placement

What are the benefits and career options after pursuing this course?

“An opportunity to design, create and construct structures of social importance”

Nowadays, an architect is not restricted to work only at a professional firm across cities. 

  • Today they can work with several key international agencies such as UNDP, UNCHS, World Bank, etc, to work in any part of the world.
  • Involve themselves with national organizations such as ASI, PWD, CSE, JANAGRAHAA, INTACH, etc. to experiment and work at the society level. 
  • An architect may even break out and work in other fields combining their architectural knowledge base with other fields. To develop solutions w.r.t. agriculture, hygiene, sanitation, and education at the grass-roots level. 
  • Also, architecture as a course helps an individual to develop and hone interpersonal skills as they are to work with clients & consultants.

Do you have any extracurricular activities that enhance the skills of the students?

“Hands-on learning programs, workshops, and city-level exercises to expose our students to new skills”

  • We run several joint research collaborations with institutes from across the globe. One such is with ENSA Toulouse France, wherein our students not only get to uncover and document the riches and wisdom of our ancestors but work alongside international students and faculty. 
  • We also have several student chapters such as IGBC, MOUs with INTACH, and have been working for key state government departments, and the DST govt. of Rajasthan.