#architecturalassociationschoolofarchitecture

[doodledialogue]

Interview series - What after B.arch? #6

Interviewee: Rahul Paul Post-graduation: MA in Landscape Urbanism | Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, United Kingdom

How did you hear about the University/program?

In the last few semesters in under-graduation, there was a kind of a pull towards open spaces, public spaces, and the idea of parks, nature and its corroboration with the city. In a very naïve manner at that age, I just found the idea of nature and city – especially in the current context to fairly limiting. This thought guided me towards learning about the program and in my case the discipline of Landscape Urbanism. The university/school/city was quite secondary.  

Photo source: Wikipedia;  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architectural_Association_School_of_Architecture 

What about the University/program appealed to you?

It was the discipline that appealed to me. It was, I felt the need of the hour to consider cities where ecology was the guiding factor to shape and program cities. The notion was always there in the past, got lost in the present and was recently heralded back as an idea into the academic, albeit this time in a formalized manner. For me, it was always about the discourse of the discipline rather than how the program was structured.

Photo source: Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architectural_Association_School_of_Architecture

How was the experience at the University?

I think every experience of any University – is something to learn from. All are equally intensive, sometimes daunting and at times completely meaningless. But that is the story of all schools offering a post-graduate degree. No exception. I would just add that AA, being non-conforming to regular methods of a university – allowed for different exchanges between disciplines at times even diluting the hierarchy of an academic set-up.

What lessons/insights did you gain from the experience?

Every bit of the time spent during post-graduation. It may be related academics directly or indirectly. I always say this and now it may sound like a cliché for people who have discussed with me. It goes like this – the time you spend during masters is by the self – it is your own belonging – and if one can keep it to that – a post-graduation course can mould you not just academically but more surely personally. My theory is actually more prolonged, but that I should I reserve for my publication!!

Which semester did you attend? How did you plan the entrance exams?

I did not have to give any entrance exam except for the (silly) IELTS exam. Don’t quite remember when I appeared for it. But it is just meaningless for us – who have studied English as a first language for more than 10 years to appear for such an exam. Period.

How did you manage the finances?

I was supported partly by bank loan and I also received a bursary from the college who paid one-third of my tuition fees. I lived quite like a pauper – so managed the finances alright.

Were you involved in research work/competitions while studying?

Every post-graduation program is a research and an opportunity. Depends completely on whether you can frame the research question by yourself or are capable to take the opportunity of the program offered.

Did you work a part-time job while studying?

Yes, in the institute museum and the library. But it was not intense… Just a few hours to earn money enough to buy a few books. It was a 12-month course, so never really had the spare time for traditional part-time working.

Did you have post-masters plans in mind when you went to do masters? Or did you go with the flow?

Never one with well-framed plans. So I would say I went with the flow – though I would barely know at the moment what that flow was. Maybe it was about getting back to the working place where I was before, embarking on post-graduation study.

Did you travel while/after studying?

Yes, both related to academics and personal. It is just an experience to travel – and one must find time to travel especially while undertaking a post-graduation degree – adds immensely to the learning experience.

What message would you like to give to future students of Post-graduate studies/ B.Arch students?

Go ahead and study if you feel like gaining knowledge and just make the most of the time while pursuing masters. More than anything else – it is a time for self-learning – in every aspect.

How is your master’s degree helping you in what you are doing right now?

In many ways, not just a direct relation to the professional works that I am involved. A post-graduation done well really shapes the way you perceive different aspects of the profession and relates fields so it is quite difficult to quantify exactly how it helps.

Currently, I am working with INTEGRATED DESIGN, a Bangalore-based environment and landscape consultancy firm working on large-scale infrastructure projects – both urban and natural. But that is the only definition of my working condition, not the capacity of how post-graduation has helped me.

How different was it coming back to India and working here in Indian scenario?

There is no difficulty and yet there is difficulty – not just in INDIA but anywhere across the globe you work. I am always the one who sees an opportunity rather than a difficulty - I am not being philosophical here – It is how the profession is really shaped by all the multitude of factors.

Please tell us about your current work and future plans.

Again, a very quantifiable question which I think is slightly irrelevant. My work involves cross-sectorial approach and inter-disciplinary learning and that is what I intend to keep doing in the future. The projects or works that I am associated or may be associated will only be a manifestation of this idea.

Thank you, Rahul, for giving us a peek into your experience at the AA School. We’re sure it will help future students of architecture who wish to pursue post-graduation.

About the Interviewee:

Graduated as an Architect from the KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, India, and subsequently completed his MA degree in Landscape Urbanism from the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London. Currently, he is working as a Landscape Urbanist at Integrated Design (INDÉ), a multi-disciplinary consultancy practice based in Bangalore and works. As a design team member, he has worked on several large infrastructural projects on various fields of operation – Urban Design, Environmental Planning and Landscape Conservation. Rahul has additionally participated in several international and national design workshops in the academic sector and also has been involved in presenting research papers focused on Landscape Urbanism, Infrastructure Urbanism and Urban theory at international conferences during both academic and professional curriculum. Specialties: Landscape Urbanism Strategies, Large Scale Interventions, Urbanism, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Development; Architecture and Sociology.

You can view his work/ contact him here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/labyrinth/

https://www.facebook.com/labyrinthrp

https://copysta.com/profile/mat_labyrinth/1613067670/

https://twitter.com/mat_labyrinth

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