Going outdoor is part of learning process

History of architecture is the history of civilization. Creative architects dealing with vision can analyze problem, innovate solution, rationalize process, and optimize resources. In Bangladesh there is an increasing awareness of the value of architectural heritage versus the needs of a modern society and the socio-economic and cultural context of the built form. Architects, the leaders of the building sector, influence the society by shaping the habitat. Well recognized and in good demand, they also excelled in other creative medias through an education enabling them to be self-employed.

Program: The architecture program at the North South University with strong philosophical grounding pivots on local tradition, culture, building materials and modern means. It presents a great expectation and promise, harnesses pedagogical learning, and responds to the social and professional needs by aiming to produce a brand of thinkers and makers. The School manifests a culture by offering paradigm to root architecture for the locality. The program stresses the theoretical, historical, cultural, creative, disciplinary and intellectual forces shaping the work and research of the contemporary building profession. It negotiates alteration of the social, cultural and economic landscape that describes the prophetic, utopic, and therapeutic dimensions of the imaginary.

The North South Architecture School commits to the value of design supported by the mutually reinforcing aspects of creativity, investigation and technology. Steadfast in providing professionally relevant, socially aware, and environmentally sensitive directions to learning, it actively engages with the changing needs of modern society. The Program aims to create socio-culturally and environmentally aware building professionals for this century who will bring order, vitality and beauty to the built environment. The brilliant young academics encourage creativity, hand-on learning, integrated theory and studio, and contextual response.

'Framing the Nature' at Jahangir Nagar University Campus

'Proximity to Greatness' outdoor sketch class in front the National Parliament Building

Curriculum: Unique in structure and content in Bangladesh, the curriculum is based on the best American model transformed to cater for the local context. It gives cognizance to the requirements of the International Union of Architects, UNESCO, Commonwealth Association of Architects, National Architectural Accrediting Board of USA and ArcAsia.

The content of the professional B.Arch. program blends creative and communicative, theoretical and professional, humanistic and scientific, and artistic and technical courses and their social, technical and environmental applications. It provides a foundation on which individuals would develop their architectural intellect and professional values. The balanced curriculum, focused on relevant skill learning, knowledge accumulation and awareness development, encompasses the arts and sciences of creating spaces with desirable environment, and encourages the students to develop awareness of the global and local issues influencing the built environment.

The 172-credit program, consisting of general education (21 credit), core (124 credit), optional (15 credit) and elective courses (12 credit), covers:

The dynamic and flexible 5 years program progresses from general subjects at the junior level to subjects instilling specific professional and academic competence at the senior level. The year-wise sub-themes are- 1. development of skills and appreciation of art and culture, 2. preparatory and basic theories, 3. intermediate and advanced knowledge, 4. environmental and contextual awareness, and 5. professional knowledge and skills.

'Searching Tradition' field trip to Mymensingh Rajbari

Among the novel courses are Artistic Appreciation; Architecture Sources; Visual Studies, Word & Images; Design Parameters; Aesthetic Theory; Art, Craft & Design Observation & Documentation; Building Physics; Integrated Building Systems; Construction Workshop; Design Media; Space, Culture & Design; Contemporary Asian Architecture; Independent Study; Special Topic on Technology, Environment or Science; Special Topic on Design, Theory or Settlement; Building, Land & Cultural Traditions; Ethics & Society; Space Psychology; Management & Business Administration in Architecture; Contemporary Design Precedents and Analyses; Land-Use, Infra-Structure & Transport Planning; Human Geography, Settlement & Development; Urbanism & Dhaka; Pedagogy & Discourse; Automation & High-Tech Architecture; Building Economics; Methods of Inquiry; Seminar on Art, Architecture, Society & Culture; etc

Teaching:The theories are applied in culturally, environmentally and technologically appropriate problem solving, addressing the universal and timeless concerns of metaphysical nature in the design studios- the cauldron of all knowledge. Hence the theory lecturers and studio instructors interact to orient study contents as theory courses are tied with respective studios to supplement inputs for informative and authentic design exercises. Each studio with a defined focus cultivates fundamental habits and attitudes, artistic orientation, appreciation of creativity, and understanding of the local context in order to form a design vocabulary that will remain with the student forever. These inculcate creativity and skill through a command of media and method and open the wide specter of imagination, also helpful in pursuing any creative media, e.g. graphics, interior and product design. Design is a continuous thinking, development, learning and interactive process. Encouraged to learn from each other in addition to from the specific instructors, and often to work in a group, architecture students spend more time in the design studios, to develop an unique ambient. Generally, hand-on experience through components like observation and documentation, study tour, field trips and workshops, site and office visit, etc. are encouraged. These are complemented by seminars and lectures by visiting designers and eminent professionals. Fieldworks are integral part of each theory course, which make the students think and be inquisitive, and learn from reality. For example in Building Construction course students would be asked to erect walls or build arches themselves; those studying architectural heritage would make models of various types of domes, others would document heritage structures while students taking digital graphics will develop archives from it. Often these are of investigative nature. For example, students would build a heliodon themselves and measure sunpath and shadow pattern on models that they would design in the corresponding studios.

Activities: To celebrate its second anniversary, the NSU Architecture School is introducing four programs- a Portfolio Grant, a See Bangladesh Grant, an Architect's Day-Out Scheme, and a Community Outreach Scheme.

The School believes that university teachers should hunt and distribute uniquely found knowledge. To encourage such efforts it has started SEARCH (Settlement Environment Architecture Research Collaboration Help) undertaking various activities. For example, it is documenting heritage buildings with an intention to go for actual conservation work. Before that to promote the cause, SEARCH would hold exhibitions, walking tours, seminars, and publications with the participation of the students and faculty, authority and the area people.

As a part of the same motto, SEARCH is partnering the University of Lancashire in publishing Global Built Environment Review- an international journal.

Kothon is a regular dialogue session where renowned personalities from various areas, both local and foreigners, make deliberations on their work, thoughts and ideas, with the students including those from other schools.

CAD (Club Art & Design) is formed by the students that arranges extra-curricular activities which are of both recreational and academic nature, like study tours, debate and discourse.

Admission: Architecture students need to be creative and aware of the environment and context to become successful professionals. The intake students for the program are selected, in addition to the basic NSU-criteria , on the basis of their creative aptitude, analytic capability, visual perception, general awareness, knowledge of the environment and culture, and communication skill. There will be an additional drawing test of 30 minutes. The applicant would be asked to draw a view of a common built form, e.g. a bus shelter, and make a composition with a number of geometric shapes, words, items etc.

Credit transfer from other North South University programs or from other Universities is available.

For more information, please call: Dept. of Architecture, North South University, 9885611-20 Ext # 171,
log into www.northsouth.edu or mail to mmrahman@northsouth.edu