A STRONG EDIFICE

THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING AT IIT ROORKEE IS KEEPING ONE EYE FIRMLY ON THE FUTURE, AS IT INCORPORATES SUSTAINABILITY INTO ITS PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICE

- PRASHANT SRIVASTAVA

The Department of Architecture and Planning at IIT Roorkee was set up in 1956 and is one of the oldest to offer the BArch degree in the country. The department currently has 164 students doing BArch, 50 in the master's programme and 117 students carrying out doctoral research. Backed by strong institutional support, a highly skilled faculty and a student community known for their creativity, the entire ecosystem is now geared to adapt to the latest advances in technology.

Says IIT Roorkee director Prof. K.K. Pant, “The department of architecture and planning at IIT Roorkee has an unwavering commitment to shaping the future of architectural education and practice in India. With a rich history of over 65 years behind it, the department has earned a strong reputation for providing high-quality education and producing talented professionals. The multidisciplinary curriculum equips students with comprehensive knowledge and the focus on sustainable design exemplifies the department’s commitment to the country’s future. The department has shown that it occupies a pivotal position in architectural research, education and innovation in the country, striving as it does to create professionals who will shape an inclusive and sustainable agenda for the future.”

The department of architecture and planning has a strong research focus with interdisciplinary outlooks on various urban and built environment challenges, ranging from climate change to energy conservation, sustainability to heritage values, social inclusion to futuristic built forms. 

It also has some of the best facilities to pursue their projects. The virtual collaborative tools have also ensured creative ways of delivering outcomes. The facilities on campus include a climatology lab, an art lab and a computer lab with state-of-the-art equipment and software. There are also abundant workshop spaces.