‘Beware of Non-Registered Architects’- say Indian Institute of Architects Members
Mangaluru: A press conference was held at Mangalore Press Club by the members of Indian Institute of Architects of Mangaluru Manipal Centre in order to create an awareness among the general public about the issues related to the profession and education of architecture, as a social responsibility of the IIA-MMC. This is in wake of many architects who are practicing their profession without being registered under the Architects Act 1972. There have been many complaints launched in this regard, and many cases are still pending in the court for the final verdict.
Addressing the media persons, Ar Vijay Garg- Vice resident, Council of Architecture (COA) -New Delhi said, “Architecture as the art and science of built environment is engaged in meeting the needs of people, societies and nations for providing shelters, evolving habitats and developing infrastructural services and systems. As we all know, this has been the role of architects since the time immemorial. Architects have continuously contributed to improving the quality of human habitat and settlements. The Council of Architecture (COA) is a statutory body, where the parliament of India enacted the Architects Act, 1972. This act came into force on the 1st day of September 1972 and it extends to the whole of India. Since Independence and more particularly with the implementation of five-year plans, the building construction activity in our country has expanded almost on a phenomenal scale.”
“A large variety of buildings, many of extreme complexity and magnitude, like multi-storied office buildings, factory buildings, and residential buildings are being constructed each year. With this increase in building activity, many unqualified persons calling themselves as architects are undertaking the construction of buildings which are uneconomical and quite frequently are unsafe, thus bringing into disrepute the profession of architects Various organizations including the Indian Institute of Architects have repeatedly emphasized the need for statutory regulation to protect the general public from unqualified persons working as architects. With the passing of this legislation, it will be unlawful for any person to designate himself as “architect” unless he has the requisite qualification and experience and is registered under the act.” added Ar Garg.
He further said, “The legislation is generally on the same lines as similar acts in other countries. With the passage of time, national concerns have further extended these objectives in the realm of energy conservation, environmental protection, optimal utilization of natural resources and building materials, aesthetics and overall quality of life in urban and rural areas. The purpose of this act will only be fulfilled if public receives architectural consultancy of the required proficiency from persons having requisite competence. The council of Architecture was constituted under section 3 of the architect’s act 1972, by the central government. The COA has been entrusted with the functions to provide for the registration of architects and for matters connected therewith, including regulating the architectural education and architectural education.”
He continued saying, “Architectural education has expanded in the last 3 decades from 80 to 432 colleges, which impart degree level architectural education, and that the country produces 15,000 number of architects annually. Presently there are about 4 lakh 50 thousand architects registered with the council for architecture. To achieve the objectives of the act, a number of actions were required to be initiated by the central government, state government., local self-government, panchayats, municipalities, development authorities, public sector undertakings etc. however in most states development authorities, and local self-government which is charged with a responsibility of planned development including architecture, town planning and construction have not amended the local laws to be in consonance with the provisions of the architect’s act 1972, particularly with regard to the functions to be performed by an architect.”
“Therefore, the benefits of enactment of the architects’ act have not yet filtered down to the public. The Indian Institute of Architects is the national body of architects in the country. Established in 1917, the institute today has more than 20,000 members and plays a major role in promoting the profession of architecture by organizing and uniting the architects of India to promote the aesthetic, scientific and practical efficiency of the profession both, in practice and education. IIA is represented on various national and international committees connected with architecture, art and the building industry and is also actively associated with international union of Architects (UIA) commonwealth association of Architects (CAA) and South Asian Association for regional cooperation of architects (SAARCH) Indian Institute of Architects- Mangalore Manipal Center (IIA-MMC) incorporated in the year 1992, is one among the 50 centers across India affiliated to the national body. Among its members are most of the key architects of Mangalore-Manipal region who actively contribute to the city and society in the field of architecture and Urban design” concluded Ar Vijay Garg.
Ar Kumarchandra M R- Chairman-IIA-MMC; Ar Venkatesh Pai- Hon. Treasurer-IIA-MMC; Ar Suprith Alva- Jt Hon. Secretary-IIA-MMC; and Ar Sharun Anchan- Executive Committee member, IIA-MMC were present on the dais during the press meet.
Architecture as the art and science of built environment is engaged in meeting the needs of people, societies and nations for providing shelters, evolving habitats and developing infrastructural services and systems. As we all know, this has been the role of architects since the time immemorial. Architects have continuously contributed to improving the quality of human habitat and settlements. The parliament of India enacted the Architects Act, 1972. This act came into force on the 1st day of September 1972 and it extends to the whole of India. Since Independence and more particularly with the implementation of five-year plans, the building construction activity in our country has expanded almost on a phenomenal scale. “
He further said, “A large variety of buildings, many of extreme complexity and magnitude, like multi-storied office buildings, factory buildings, and residential buildings are being constructed each year. With this increase in building activity, many unqualified persons calling themselves as architects are undertaking the construction of buildings which are uneconomical and quite frequently are unsafe, thus bringing into disrepute the profession of architects Various organizations including the Indian Institute of Architects have repeatedly emphasized the need for statutory regulation to protect the general public from unqualified persons working as architects. With the passing of this legislation, it will be unlawful for any person to designate himself as “architect” unless he has the requisite qualification and experience and is registered under the act. “
“The legislation is generally on the same lines as similar acts in other countries. With the passage of time, national concerns have further extended these objectives in the realm of energy conservation, environmental protection, optimal utilization of natural resources and building materials, aesthetics and overall quality of life in urban and rural areas. The purpose of this act will only be fulfilled if public receives architectural consultancy of the required proficiency from persons having requisite competence. The council of Architecture was constituted under section 3 of the architect’s act 1972, by the central government,” added Ar Garg.
The COA has been entrusted with the functions to provide for the registration of architects and for matters connected therewith, including regulating the architectural education and architectural education. Architectural education has expanded in the last 3 decades from ……. to 432 colleges, which impart degree level architectural education, and that the country produces …….. a number of architects annually. Presently there are about …… number of architects registered with the council for architecture. To achieve the objectives of the act, a number of actions were required to be initiated by the central government, state government., local self-government, panchayats, municipalities, development authorities, public sector undertakings etc. however in most states development authorities, and local self-government which is charged with a responsibility of planned development including architecture, town planning and construction have not amended the local laws to be in consonance with the provisions of the architect’s act 1972, particularly with regard to the functions to be performed by an architect. Therefore, the benefits of enactment of the architects’ act have not yet filtered down to the public. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (IIA)- A PROFESSIONAL BODY The Indian Institute of Architects is the national body of architects in the country. Established in 1917, the institute today has more than 20,000 members and plays a major role in promoting the profession of architecture by organizing and uniting the architects of India to promote the aesthetic, scientific and practical efficiency of the profession both, in practice and education. IIA is represented on various national and international committees connected with architecture, art and the building industry and is also actively associated with international union of Architects (UIA) commonwealth association of Architects (CAA) and South Asian Association for regional cooperation of architects (SAARCH) Indian Institute of Architects- Mangalore Manipal Center (IIA-MMC) incorporated in the year 1992, is one among the 50 centers across India affiliated to the national body. Among its members are most of the key architects of Mangalore-Manipal region who actively contribute to the city and society in the field of architecture and Urban design.
