Orientation Week

The orientation workshop of Pillai College of Architecture, New Panvel, First year students of B.Arch. was conceptualized on 31st July to 9th August, 2019 in co-ordination with Principal Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar and faculty associated with first year. The sessions were aimed to be conducted by communicating through workshop / hands-on work / lectures / screening, city walks etc.

It includes different tasks such as Cognitive Mapping, Architecture as a Discipline, Theater, City walk, Postcard Making, Map making, Landmark Appreciation and Criticism, understanding structures, Music and painting, Film Screening, etc. and culminated in the Class Exhibition.

Outcomes and Decisions:

• The main theme of the program was to induce the method of learning through personally experiencing it in the rightful context. Right at the onset- City tours / walk were introduced as medium of learning.
• The purpose of a comprehensive orientation program is to go beyond familiarizing students with the campus, other fellow students and Staff.
• Integrate new students into components of learning; – weekly lectures, and studios.
• Familiarizing students with the Role of an Architect in the built environment, Building process as well as role of other professional in design process and construction.
• The program shall comprehend with Acclimatize students with Bachelors of Architecture program.
• Appreciation of architecture; introducing the notion of Architecture as a discipline/ language.
• Basic introduction to aspect of design and Building Systems.
• Explaining, importance of self-learning as well as collaborative learning / working in architectural profession.
• Engaging students in a group-based task and exercises, pertaining to developing basic skillset – analytical and problem solving, sketching, painting, visualization, design, model making etc.
• The program shall also introduce tools of personality development and communication skills, equipped with etiquettes and mannerism.

The sessions are aimed to be conducted by communicating through workshop / hands-on work / lectures / screening, city walks etc.

Orientation Week Schedule

Details of day events:

1. Induction day was held in Pillai campus- Auditorium. Program was attended by Students along with parents and all faculties of architectural department. Lead by Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar who introduce the vision of MES education society, the program unfolded with presentations on administrative structure, campus attributes, discipline, periodic evaluation and exam formats. Associate professor Sasmit Acharekar addressed the audience about work culture and discipline in architectural education. Assistant Professor Kavita Sawant addressed the audience about council structure and administration. Council head addressed the audience about council activities. To give a glimpse and insight of submission and task, the program ended with exhibition of student works in 1st year studio.
2. Orientation week began with Cognitive Mapping exercises, which concentrated on depicting of memories and interpretation in form of sketches.
3. Followed by a presentation Prof. Jinu Kurin, who introduced the multi-disciplinary approach toward architecture education and multiple facets of architecture.
4. The city walks were impeded due to heavy rain in the city which continued for couple of days. The transportation was severely affected in the city; thus these walks were cancelled after attempting on multiple days.
5. The orientation week re-started on Tuesday with post-card making exercise. Student designed post card for their native places or a place of memory. Second half of the session include public speaking, group discussion and performance.
6. Wednesday was completely dedicated towards understanding of structure. Student were divided in groups and using a unit of construction (Candy Stick) they built structures having span, height, loading and surface.
7. Thursday morning session being with Architect Sabu Francis discussing influence and relation of music in architecture. He along with students played musical instrument in the studio. Second session included screening of movie – “Gods Must be Crazy”, followed by a discussion on the same.
8. Final day of the Orientation week was exhibition of all the work done during the orientation week. The exhibition was formally inaugurated by principle Sudnya Mahimkar and all student and faculties form Pillai were invited.