The Power of the Profession

The time has come for us to know the Power that we possess. The Power of the knowledge imbibed in us, the Power of the Mandate vested in us by Parliament, and the Power of the Experience we have gained as Civilizations roll along.

Arguably, and often favorably, the Oldest Profession in the whole wide world (www???), Architecture professes the creation of multifaceted built environment. The ability to weave this to a higher level of imagination, at the same time ensuring its clarity as a reflection of our civilization is of paramount importance in itself, subject that the users are to our whims and fancies, often hidden.

We are at certain times faced with the creation of a living space for a family, albeit residence. Do we not have the capacity to ensure peace and happiness in the household via the media of the built / enveloped space? Alternatively, do we not have the power to subject the family to eternal misery by thoughtful or sometimes wrong planning? and wrong decisions. There then lie within us the Powers to ensure peace and prosperity, or the Power to destroy the fabric of the Family.

We are creators of a parallel economy. A Two Rupee / Quarter Dollar tea @ the local tea shop is elevated to the status of a 200 Rupee/ 5 Dollar “pot of tea” at say the Hyatt or the Marriott, only due to the Décor/Ambience created by the designer added with good service and a “dash of a name”. Are we, by the powers vested in us, not creating a parallel economy here? The same is true of famous buildings or Environment, where the saleable market goes up due to the tenacity of the creator. That is the Power we have over the Economy.

My mind goes back to the days of my Architectural schooling, to an event which completely re defined my role in my chosen profession (not by default). Prof Ravindra (currently teaches at Bangalore, India) was a well dressed teacher, however very distant beneath his thick spectacles. Favorite pass time (so it seemed) was to smirk with hands over lips at the basic design models of first and second semester students. Really helped upcoming Ego’s! Nobody knew where he ate, nor what the inside of his cabin looked like.
But all knew that he used to come in at 8.00 AM and leave at 5.00 PM, always opening out a big old umbrella with a curved wooden handle. Now, Manipal is often Hot Hot during the summer days, with horizontal rains during the Monsoon. But the hillock used to be pleasant at 8.00 AM and the sun would have normally retracted by 5.00 PM, bringing in the cools of the Arabian Sea on to the ‘walkers’. But our Profy used to have his wide umbrella open on his entry and departure from the seat of education.
I was a bit mesmerized by this chap, and decided that there is more to him then he would let out. As adventurous as I am, I embarked on the dark journey to his abode @ the college, greeted by a surprised ‘yes’ to the knocks on his porch. On entry, after being asked to take a seat addressed as “Mr. Mohandas” (knew his decency) – he peered at me quizzically, posting a look at his first visitor in maybe years, the early marauder!!!
I, a bit ruffled, ventured to question him on his open umbrella in times of good weather, during the entry and exit. He did look at me quizzically once more, as if “how did this chap land up here, both in the cabin and for the course?”

His answer was sudden: Mr. Mohandas, when I come in and go out, the whole college is doing the same thing, resulting in a rush at the gates and other places. My umbrella creates a space around me, into which no one can enter without my permission.

Things dawn on me in flashes. This was the essence of my new profession. I went back and destroyed the basic design model I was engaged in (which was supposedly OK for a first year student, as per the decision of more experienced seniors)!!!!!

Exercise our powers with the diligence it requires, but primarily understand the POWER we are vested with.

Ar. Mohandas Kalipurayath, B.Arch, FIIA
Past Jr Vice President & Council Member, the Indian Institute of Architects
Assessor, Council of Architecture (India)
Past President, NASA (India)