An architect’s musing
“From a young age, I found solace in writing – mostly short stories and poems and always thought I’d make a career in journalism and mass communication. However, my father insisted I pursue science in high school, which is what I ended up doing.
After graduating, I started a degree in aeronautical engineering but dropped out within a year and returned home. I ended up choosing architecture almost by accident. It was a safe option that aligned with my parents’ wishes for an engineering field and included a creative component that I liked. Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying the course by the end of first semester and decided to stick with it.
I worked in various architectural roles after graduating to gain experience before pursuing a Master’s degree at IIT Roorkee. The academic environment there sparked my interest in research, something I had not considered before.
I did not start my PhD immediately after my Master’s though. Instead, I started working as an architect at CPWD. 4–5 years later, I realized I wanted to delve deeper into research to enhance my practical knowledge. So, I enrolled as a part-time PhD student at Jamia Millia Islamia while maintaining a full-time job. Initially, the pandemic made this manageable with online courses. Eventually, I took a study leave, committing to complete my degree within 2 years and return to work.
At the beginning of my PhD, I intended to research a topic aligned with my supervisor’s expertise. However, she encouraged me to choose something I was genuinely interested in. This led me to study the thermal efficiency of vertical greenery systems, a relatively new field in India with limited resources. Despite the challenges, my supervisor has been very supportive, connecting me with essential resources and relevant people to help progress my project. What I appreciate most about my PhD is its direct application to my job. This practical relevance has kept me motivated, even while facing the emotional challenges of caring for my ailing mother and raising a young daughter, often resulting in extended periods off work.
Looking back, I am concerned about the state of architectural education and research in India. Although the number of architecture colleges has increased, job opportunities have not kept up. Architecture courses do not prepare young graduates for industry and its challenges. Additionally, pursuing a PhD in architecture remains challenging due to limited financial support and resources, particularly in universities like Jamia, which, despite being a central university, lack the structured research environment of IITs. Research in architecture is not valued enough.
When I started my PhD, I had little understanding of what it would entail, leading to a loss of valuable time. Our education system needs to better prepare students for the realities of a PhD and provide a structured and supportive environment to prevent researchers from feeling lost and directionless.”
-Irfan Haider, PhD in Architecture, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Interviewed and written by Payel Das
