A thesis is the very last step in
the completion of graduation. It offers an opportunity to the students to
explore a particular issue relevant to the field they are working in. These
kinds of investigations are based on conceptual beliefs and values. Students
working on the thesis have to define their interest and solve questions on the
topic chosen by them.
Thesis assignment is given in almost
all departments of a school or college. An architectural thesis is one of them
which require the student to question about architecture and define concepts
like a theme, site and a program. Such projects are intellectual pieces of work
which need to be advanced. It is a combination of discussion and reasoning.
1.
You can speak confidently about in
front of your thesis guide and jury.
2.
You feel best employs your skills
and knowledge base. Agreed, architects have to be good at all parts of the
process, but obviously you'd be better at some things than others. So if you're
good with materials, pick a project that is not a complex typology, so you can
play with materials. If you want to concentrate on playing with human scales
and proportions, pick something like a residential college campus that would
help you do so, etc.
I've found that most Indian architecture colleges do not encourage research-based projects, so this is one way you can make research based on a particular material or playing with scales etc a part of your main project (if you want to).
I've found that most Indian architecture colleges do not encourage research-based projects, so this is one way you can make research based on a particular material or playing with scales etc a part of your main project (if you want to).
3.
You understand thoroughly. Be it
from your professional training or your personal experience.
4.
Your thesis guide understands
atleast 50% of it (so that he can support you and not rip you off in front of
the jury)
5.
Interests you.
6.
Would look good in the future, with respect
to what you want to pursue professionally or for your masters if you intend to
do one.
7.
Do not take a topic for the sake of
being unique. On the other hand, do not take a topic just because its tried and
tested and is easy.
8.
Do not take a topic just because you
know somebody who has done it/ has info on it. It might help, but, then again,
it might not work.
9.
I would also advise that you choose
it keeping in mind your future interests. Be it your masters or your
job. Take a topic that appeals to the future prospects.
Form
of architectural projects:
- Programmatic
- Socio cultural
- Historic
- Typological
- Contextual response
- Theoretical
- Preservation
- Adaptive
Architectural projects are
classified into the following famous categories:
- Urban planning and infrastructure
- Cultural facilities
- Leisure and fun facilities
- Public offices, buildings and institutions
- Houses
Some popular topics which can be
selected for an architectural thesis are:
- Development of waterfront property
- Creation of low cost housing
- Heritage museums
- Designing of an airport
- Airport functioning
- Cinema and theatre architecture
- Skyscraper design
- Suburban homes for multifamily
- Aquarium-Aqua design and display
