Academics
Course Structure
The college conducts a five-year (10-semester) course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), which is recognized by the Council of Architecture. The total course is divided into two stages: Stage One is from the first semester to the sixth semester, awarding the Degree of Bachelor of Building Science. A university examination is held at the end of each semester. Stage Two is from the seventh semester to the tenth Semester, awarding the degree of Bachelor of Architecture. A university examination is held at the end of each semester.
Practical Training
The students in their seventh semester undergo a 24-week practical training in approved architectural offices/firms. This helps them in gaining practical knowledge in office and on the site. It also helps in eliminating the gap between the theoretical and the practical approach to handling a project. About 50% of the students undergo their practical training in foreign countries like, Germany, France, Austria, Vienna, and Switzerland , etc.
Thesis
In the tenth semester every student undertakes a thesis project in which he gets an opportunity to prove his ability to independently handle all phases of a building design. The thesis project comprises the following:
- A typed and illustrated report which includes validity of the chosen subject, methodology, aims and objectives, prototype studies, client's and architect's briefs, conclusions and design criteria along with sketches, photographs, tables, diagrams, etc.
- A fully worked out design proposal along with models and three dimensional views.
Students are encouraged to develop expertise in the areas of their own interest and to develop a sound base for pursuing further studies in their chosen fields of specialization for which a large number of elective subjects like interior design, landscape design, advanced structures, town planning, urban design, architectural journalism, construction management, energy-efficient buildings, computers in architecture, Lighting Design, Sustainable Architecture, Disaster Management, etc. have been provided in the eight and ninth semesters, apart from the major subjects of Architectural Design and Building Construction.
Projects
HSOA has about 40 B.Arch. thesis successfully completed by its alumni. Many thesis, embodying research, documentation, analysis, design proposal and presentation, on a wide variety of subjects, have won acclaim from external examiners from various parts of India and abroad. Some of the thesis projects are pioneer works in the annals of architectural education in India
