ARCHITECTURE CANNOT BE TAUGHT BUT CAN BE LEARNT!

One wonders if above is true then what exactly is the role of mentor in an architecture college- especially in the final year when students are at the threshold of commencing their professional life.

Past five years of being a part of ‘Mentoring-Learning’ process as visiting professor at #Schoolofplanningandarchitecture, New Delhi and as ‘Adjunct professor’ at #Worlduniversityofdesign, Sonepat; following questions have always remained as ‘undercurrent’ to my actions with my mentees:

·         How can one impart the truth that – ‘whatever-we-design’ is actually a reflection of ‘who-we-are’. It is therefore as important to exert to ‘hone one’s own self’ as it is to acquire domain knowledge.

·         How to bridge the ever-increasing gap of moulding human beings who are courageous enough to take risks in life and walk untrodden path with conviction and rigor - individuals who do not limit the definition of their success in life to marks (while in college) and money & status (after college)

·         How can one drive home the value of ‘time and word’ amongst the next generation of professionals so that we can have dependable, trustworthy and empathetic architects…. People who know that each one of us has only two resources on this planet is: Time & Mind/ Energy – hence they value and celebrate both, not sell them to highest bidder!

·         How to effectively convey that a professional degree is merely a ticket to start the journey of learning architecture – a journey so beautiful and fulfilling only if one knows where to focus!

At the end of a rigorous semester when one receives an unexpected gift of a book or an unsolicited remark from a student (as below) it seems something was definitely done right…and it washes away all agony of the journey.

“16-05-2025 - Namaste sir, it was a warm experience under your shade, you are the best leader I have ever seen, the way you have understood that we are not able to push ourselves then you came…. but you extract such aspects that we won't be able to understand, why this is happening, it open up my mind and bring me more closer to you as learner to understand the life, I'm extremely happy and satisfied with what I have produced in my Thesis, i didn't know that I'll be in top 10, it's all because of you and ma'am , Thanks for being the ray of light in my life”

“Dear students, delighted to have been a part of your life journey and eagerly looking forward to how you shine forth! For me your smile and celebration of life will be the litmus test of your success!”

There is a deep sense of gratitude that one got an opportunity to impact lives and that evokes deep responsibility as well. My heartfelt thanks to my colleagues Prof. (Dr.) Jyoti Pandey Sharma, HoD- Dept. of Architecture, SPA Delhi & co-faculty in SPA thesis studio – an excellent researcher and an amazing ‘balancer’ in topsy-turvy studio ride); Prof. Shaleen Sharma (Dean FoA @ WUD Sonepat – a great friend and sounding board for new ideas!) and Ar. Harmanpreet Kaur (co-faculty in thesis studio and a most methodical mentor)