Introduction to Research in Architecture

Architectural research forms an integral part of the academic experience of an undergraduate student in the School of Architecture at CEPT, Ahmedabad, India. Research not only helps the student evolve areas of special interest but also adds to his/her training and development of the analytical as well as communication skills. There were two broad aims of the course that Madhavi Desai designed and taught for more than 15 years. One aim was to prepare a background in architectural research for an advanced level student and two, to increase his/her awareness and ability to undertake the research thesis in the final year. The course, thus, attempted to give the student a general understanding of what is architectural research, its tools and techniques as well as to prepare the student for a specific task. The emphasis was on the development of the students' writing and composing skills, including an attitude towards analytical reading abilities. The course had a seminar-type method of teaching where the emphasis was on group discussions and on learning by doing.