Key Academic Principles for setting up an Architecture College

There are nearly 500 schools / colleges offering a course in Architecture, with very little variation in their curriculum with content adhering to the minimum standards prescribed by the Council of Architecture. The key for any innovation or self-identity for any college does not lie in the structure, but:

- in the ethos of the college, and creating an environment for all the stakeholders (teachers, students, staff) where joyful "learning" happens, and

- in the operating principles that all the stakeholders understand as important for learning, and respect in order to maximise learning exchange.

Both these have a strong influence from the local culture, with family and other formal traditions that must be taken into account, and affect learning. The points is not to be "different" but to be effective and make a great place to learn and work in.

It is hence, most important for the first stakeholders, (trustees, founders, principals) to brainstorm and align on their prime motives and fundamental beliefs. These can be cultural, ideological, intellectual or operational. All the faculty members can then be informed / alignd any college to make a cohesive institution.