Distinctiveness

7.3.1 Portray the performance of the Institution in one area distinctive to its priority and thrust within 1000 words

Smt. K.L. Tiwari College of Architecture, founded in 2016, which was earlier located in Nallasopara in the Thane district, a location that initially presented significant challenges for students due to it’s disconnect from the main city. The college’s remote location made commuting difficult and limited students’ access to essential urban infrastructure and technological innovations necessary for their architectural education. Students often faced challenges in engaging with the city’s dynamic environment, which is crucial for understanding urban design and development. The need for a strong interaction with the city and exposure to its infrastructure and innovative technology became apparent as students sought to enhance their educational experience and connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.

The primary aim of Smt. K.L. Tiwari College of Architecture has always been to develop the individual traits of students, ensuring that they become aware of their passions and interests when it comes to choosing placements and pursuing higher education. To achieve this student-centric goal, the college emphasized the implementation of critical consciousness and self-awareness activities. These activities are designed to help students reflect on their strengths and interests, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future career paths and educational pursuits. For the same we targeted the following main objectives:

1. Career opportunities awareness – It was important to make student aware of the diverse and varied career and higher education opportunities provided by this multidisciplinary B.Arch. Program.
2. Critical conscious initiatives- To understand their capability and try to find the passion of every individual student through these initiatives.
3. Experiential learning initiatives – Opportunities to be made available for working with professionals in the area as per the realised capacity of every student.
4. To be able to evolve the consciousness of the student such that they choose their passionate work options during internships as well as their post-graduation.

To enhance students’ awareness of diverse career paths within and beyond the traditional architecture syllabus, Smt. K.L. Tiwari College of Architecture established collaborations with various allied fields. These fields, although not included in the standard curriculum, offer significant professional opportunities. Examples include Set Design, Graphic Design, UI/UX design, Heritage Conservation, Vaastu Shastra, Architectural Journalism, LEED/green building strategist etc. There are more than 40 career options available for the students pursuing Architecture.

By categorizing these areas based on students’ individual traits and capabilities, the college ensures that students can explore and pursue careers that align with their interests and skills. This approach allows students to engage with firms and professionals in these specialized fields, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of potential career paths and helping them make informed decisions about their future careers.

At Smt. K.L. Tiwari College of Architecture, the academic process is enriched through a module which has series of carefully curated electives and workshops that foster strong bonds between expert faculty and students. These initiatives are chosen depending on the hobbies, capabilities and interests of students in various allied fields.

For example: Students with the traits of writing, photography and travel were exposed to writing Architecture and Architectural Journalism workshops and course during the academic semester. They were further sent to work in their summer vacations at professional firm “People Place Project” of Ar. Nisha Nair, who works in writing Architecture. For having this as a seamless continues process every year, the institute planned a strategy to engage professional Architects and their firms from varied allied fields to collaborate with college for conducting workshops in the semester and provide practical experience of working in their firms in summer/winter vacations on their live/real project.

This collaborative learning environment has opened numerous doors for students across the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years, providing them with invaluable experiences and opportunities. To give few examples of notable workshops apart from “People Place Project” by Nisha Nair, we had the Set Design Workshop, where students gained hands-on experience in theatrical design. Workshops by “Graphic Beyond” offered insights into advanced graphic techniques, while “Design Jatra” provided 2nd and 3rd-year students with an immersive design experience in Vernacular architecture. The “Sankraman Studio” and “Alternate Angles” for Documentation and research based workshops further enhanced students’ skills in documentation of heritage structures and creative expression. These activities not only deepen the students’ understanding of architecture but also cultivate a strong mentorship culture, paving the way for future success.

The outcome:

1. There was a holistic conscious awareness in all students about their capabilities and future irrespective of their grades in subjects.
2. The institution have students getting placed in internships in their passionate fields. A resource pool of professional architects was available whom they had already interacted with during initial years due to the module format.
3. Students had clarity in choosing master’s courses for post-graduation, they were confident to use their evolved skills and capabilities in start-ups/ entrepreneurships.

Recognizing the importance of location in providing students with a comprehensive educational experience, the college eventually relocated to Mira Road, Thane. This strategic move placed students in closer proximity to the vibrant urban environment of Mumbai, keeping them connected with the hustle and bustle of city life. The new location offered better access to the city’s infrastructure, diverse culture, and professional opportunities, enriching the educational journey and preparing students for real-world challenges.