Ar.Jaim G Koippallil, Assistant Professor, DC School Of Architecture and Design, Vagamon
What if architecture education could do more than shape buildings? What if it could shape futures? In a world that constantly goes through crises, like environmental damage, urban disconnection, and social inequality, architecture’s role is changing. It’s no longer enough for spaces to be attractive; they must have meaning. The most important questions in design today are not about looks or trends, but about impact: What does the world really need? How can architecture heal, connect, and empower?
Visionary architects have always asked these kinds of questions. They haven’t settled for the usual approach. Instead, they have challenged norms and redefined how we live, interact, and build. A recent study of such pioneers revealed a powerful truth: architecture is not just about construction; it’s about ideas. When these ideas appear at the right time, they can shape generations.
When cities were turning into mechanical grids of concrete and steel, Frank Lloyd Wright envisioned buildings that grew naturally from the earth, blending into the landscape. Louis Sullivan, the father of the modern skyscraper, argued that “form follows function,” prioritizing purpose over decoration. Responding to Europe’s post-war housing crisis, Le Corbusier saw homes as “machines for living,” promoting efficiency, modularity, and standardization.
In India, B.V. Doshi offered a unique take on modernism, one that embraced climate, culture, and community. His work reminded us that design should serve people, not overpower them. Architecture education means responding to people’s lives, not just their needs.
Yet the era of masters is not finished; it is changing. Contemporary leaders like Francis Kéré, Vinu Daniel, and others are tackling today’s global issues—climate change, material shortages, social division, and cultural decline—through innovative and inclusive design approaches.
Today, as we confront ecological challenges and societal change, architecture faces a choice. It can reflect the temporary wants of the market or address deeper, lasting human needs. The direction it takes will depend on those willing to think outside the box.
Choosing architecture as a field of study goes beyond mastering tools or techniques. It’s about building a mindset based on curiosity, ethics, and responsibility. Designing today means engaging with systems, environments, and identities. Architects need to be observers, listeners, and questioners, always asking, “What does the world need now?”
A master’s legacy is not measured by the number of buildings they leave behind. It is defined by the clarity of thought and purpose that their work conveys. Great architecture comes from the blend of time, context, and bold ideas.
For anyone considering a career in architecture, remember this: it is one of the few fields where science meets art, where logic combines with emotion, and where space reflects values. That is architecture education. You don’t need to be a genius to start this journey. What you need is an inquisitive mind, a caring heart, and the desire to make a difference.
You are not here to imitate what has already been done. You are here to question, to rethink, and to create. The world needs designers who see differently, think deeply, and act with intention. DC School of Architecture and Design, Trivandrum, and DC School of Architecture and Design in Vagamon provide the best B. Arch course that is more than a degree but a real-world experience.
