02 April, 2026
We are pleased to share the successful completion of our guest lecture for the Tenth Semester Course AR504 on “Professional Practice and Work Ethics for Architects in India,” held on April 2, 2026, at the Department Seminar Hall. The session was delivered by Ar. Parthasarathi Dutta Gupta, Managing Director of Pithavadian and Partners (PNP), Chennai, who shared valuable insights from his extensive professional experience. The lecture covered key aspects of architectural practice, including project execution challenges, legal frameworks, documentation, and workplace ethics. Through practical examples and engaging discussion, participants gained a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining technical integrity, clear communication, and thorough documentation. We extend our sincere thanks to Ar. Parthasarathi Dutta Gupta for an insightful and enriching session.
25 March 2026
The the Architecture Students Association hosted an insightful guest lecture by Ar. Oveas Ahmed, Director at architectureRED, Chennai. The session provided a deep dive into the firm’s "two-fold" approach to design, which bridges the gap between large-scale urban ecology and localized architectural interventions. Ar. Ahmed challenged students to look beyond mere construction, asking how architecture can reclaim its role in fostering social equity and civitas. Using the "Design by Diagram" methodology, he illustrated how the practice negotiates the relationship between the "Figure" (the object) and the "Ground" (the context). He demonstrated how evolving a clear vision and strategy allows for a seamless transition from traditional city-making values to modern construction requirements.
12 March 2026
As part of Climate Responsive Architecture (AR302) under Prof. Amalan Kaushik, the department hosted an online guest lecture by Mrs. Sashikala Ananth, noted architect, Vaastu scholar, and educator with four decades of work in traditional Indian building sciences. Her philosophy centred on Vaastu as a holistic, climate-responsive design system that harmonises the five elements, human wellbeing and spatial geometry. She emphasised simplicity, proportion, movement and culturally rooted wisdom applying traditional principles flexibly and meaningfully to contemporary architecture.
26 February 2026
The Department invited Mr. Vanjul Aggarwal to deliver a guest lecture on “Cost of Housing” as part of the course AR552: Housing (Elective), conducted online on February 26, 2026. The session provided students with valuable insights into the economic dimensions of housing, drawing from the speaker’s extensive experience in multi-asset portfolio management. Key aspects such as investment strategies, asset valuation, and market dynamics were discussed, enabling a deeper understanding of housing costs within broader financial and real estate frameworks. The Department appreciates Mr. Vanjul Aggarwal’s contribution and acknowledges the value added to the students’ learning through his professional expertise and experience.
The Department extended an invitation to Dr. Vishal Chettry to serve as a Guest Lecturer for an online session on “Affordable Housing and Low-Cost Construction Materials” scheduled on February 26, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, as part of the course AR552: Housing (Elective). The session aimed to provide students with valuable insights into sustainable and cost-effective housing solutions, drawing from the speaker’s extensive expertise in housing and sustainability. It was expected to encourage innovative thinking among students regarding affordable housing strategies and the use of low-cost construction materials. The Department acknowledges the importance of such academic interactions and looks forward to the enriching learning experience for the students through this proposed engagement.
09 February 2026
The Department was honoured to host a guest lecture titled “From Studio to Site: Design Work as a Professional Pitch” as part of the Core Course AR504 - Professional Practice. The session was delivered on 09 February 2026 and focused on bridging the gap between academic design processes and professional architectural practice. The lecture emphasized the integration of design thinking with professional ethics, regulatory frameworks, and practical execution. The speaker shared valuable insights into presenting design work as a professional pitch, offering students a clearer understanding of real-world expectations and industry standards. The session also highlighted the importance of aligning academic training with professional responsibilities.
30 January 2026
The second year students also attended an intensive guest lecture and hands-on workshop by alumni Sarath Chandra (Alumni-NIT, Batch of 2017), filmmaker, and Naveen G (Alumni, NIT- Batch of 2007), architect and educator. They conducted multiple sessions on filmmaking, videography, creative direction, documentation techniques, rural architecture, hand drafting, and book-based research methods. They also accompanied the students to Sundarapandiyapuram, guiding them in on-site visual storytelling, spatial documentation, and narrative mapping. Their sessions offered exceptional insights into blending design thinking with creative media.
