Indian Institute of Architects

The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) is the professional national body of architects in India. It was established in 1917 with its headquarters in Mumbai, India. It is associated with the International Union of Architects (UIA) Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation of Architects (SAARCH).

History
The history of the Indian Institute of Architects is closely linked to the evolution of architecture education in India. The Drawing Offices of the Public Works Department and Consulting Architects in pre-independent India required trained draftsmen to render drawings. John Begg who was a Consulting Architect to the Government of India suggested conducting classes in Architecture to meet this demand in around 1900. These classes were started in the Sir J. J. School of Art in Bombay and in 1907 they were formally recognized by the Government, whereby the students received a Draftsman’s Certificate. Also in 1907, George Wittet, the Consulting Architect to the Government of Bombay tweaked the draftsman course to a four year course for those who wished to work with Architects and Engineers. As the school developed over the next few years Robert W. Cable, member of the staff of the Architectural Association in London took charge of the school. When the World War I broke out in 1914, Professor Cable was serving in Mesopotamia and H. Foster King took charge. King was enthusiastic about field trips for the architecture students and during one such trip in March 1917 to Ellora, the participants discussed forming an institution where former students and members of the architectural fraternity could meet and collaborate.

The Inception of an Association
Upon reaching Bombay, the idea of establishing a body was mulled over and on 12th May 1917, a meeting was held in his bungalow that was situated in the Sir J. J. School of Art precincts. At this inception meeting the members formed an Association of Past Architectural Students of the Sir J. J. School of Art. Eventually it was decided that the name of body would be The Architectural Students’ Association with George Wittet elected as its first President and King as Vice President.

Early Days of the IIA
With an initial strength of 42 former students as members the newly minted Association soon attracted over a hundred members in a short span of time. The committee drafted the rules of the body and the objective of the Association was “The advancement of the Architecture and the promotion of social intercourse amongst the past student of the Sir J.J. School of Art, lecturers and members of the profession.” The Association was active with lectures being delivered and eventually even practicing Architects of Bombay and other cities sought membership. After Wittet’s term as President, Professsor Cable who had returned to Bombay after serving in the War was made original member of the Association and elected the next President in 1920.

The Bombay Architectural Association
Later in 1921 Claude Batley was elected President. Around this time the members thought that the Association ought to be renamed as it included not just past students but practicing Architects as well. Thus ‘The Bombay Architectural Association’ was the new name chosen for the body at a Special General Meeting held on 15th June 1922. One member did suggest the name ‘Indian Architectural Association’ but it was thought to be too ambitious at that stage. The formal inauguration of the newly named Association was only done on 3rd August 1922 by Batley in the 3rd ordinary meeting of the members after the changes in the Constitution and Bye-Laws were unanimously approved. The first President of the rechristened body was H. Foster King who presided from 1923 to 24 followed by D. W. Ditchburn (1924-27) and later Sohrab F. Bharoocha. The IIA was registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 as a voluntary organisation of Architects.

The Association proposed an affiliation with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), London in order to appeal to practicing Architects. This affiliation was formally done at a Special General Meeting on 14th May 1925 in the School of Architecture. The status of the Association was thus enhanced.

Indian Institute of Architects
Affiliation with the RIBA led to changes in the Constitution of the body. On 2nd September 1929, the Indian Institute of Architects was officially formed with 158 members, of both Indian and British nationalities, to represent the interests of Architects in India. King was the President of the first council. Vicajee A Taraporevala was the Vice President, Burjor S J Aga and Kersasp B Taraporevala were joint Honorary Secretaries and Dominic D’Silva was the Honorary Treasurer. Aga was the President later during 1931-32. By 1940 the IIA has 240 members and more that 30 of these were practicing in areas that are now beyond India’s present day political borders. Interestingly there was only one woman Architect, Perin Jamshedji Mistri and less that 10 percent of the members were British.

By 1950 the IIA had many more members and it was only after India gained Independence in 1947 that the profession of Architecture gained an identity different from Engineers and established itself as a separate profession. The chief objectives as stated in the memorandum of the IIA were – “To continue the work of the Bombay Architectural Association founded as the Architectural Students’ Association in 1917” and “To encourage the study of Architecture, to elevate the Standard of Architectural Practice and by mutual support to promote the interests of Architects throughout India”.

The only other organisation at the national level is the Council of Architecture established under the Architects Act 1972 with the statutory duty of Registration.

The Northern Chapter of the institute was started in 1956. Today it has Chapters in numerous states and further centers in major cities, within those states

The institute today has more than 20,000 members and plays a major role in promoting the profession of architecture by organising and uniting the Architects of India to promote aesthetic, scientific and practical efficiency of the profession both in Practice and in Education.

Overview
The institute conducts a professional examination in four parts. Students qualifying all the parts are awarded associate membership, which is a recognized qualification to work as an architect. It provides courses in architecture, town planning, and human settlement development. To join Indian Institute of Architects there are three type of Memberships 1.Fellow (Any person qualified under Bye-Law 4 (a) and desirous of becoming a Fellow) 2. Associate (Any person qualified under Bye-Law 4 (b) and desirous of becoming an Associates) 3. Direct Fellow. So if any person qualified then they can apply on Indian Institute of Architects official website.

Chapters

 * IIA, Andhra Pradesh Chapter
 * Northern Chapter, (IIA)
 * West Bengal Chapter, (IIA)
 * Kerala Chapter, (IIA)
 * IIA - Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter
 * IIA - Haryana Chapter
 * Solapur-Maharashtra Chapter
 * IIA Odisha Chapter
 * IIA Assam Chapter
 * IIA UTTARAKHAND Chapter
 * IIA Chhattisgarh Chapter