Request to reinstate 'Basic Design' in the B.Arch curriculum under VTU.
Request to reinstate 'Basic Design' in the B.Arch curriculum under VTU.
The Issue
The VTU have sent a B. Arch course curriculum for first year in which the tried and tested method of the subject of Basic design and art appreciation have been removed for the first semester.
Basic design subject has been part of the architecture studies since 1940s in India. While internationally Bauhaus school integrated artists to teach few subjects for the architecture and design students.
The artists have been teaching architecture students basic design , visual arts introducing them to freehand drawing, medias and materials, introducing them to art movements, important artworks and artists many of whom practiced architecture as well.
No university in India has removed Basic Design from architecture syllabus.
Removing the basic design subject is a big loss to the students as it weakens the foundational skill set required for higher semesters. Integrating a couple of modules relating to art in a regular architecture subject is not enough for the student’s advantage.
The first-year students have always enjoyed attending basic design giving them the joy to do creative works with their hands using different medias and materials. The artists teach the students visual language and grammar which they apply later in their studies and also in their careers. Visits to galleries and museums and explaining to them about it are part of basic design for the first or second semester. This first hand experience will be lost to the students.
The curriculum for architecture studies have always involved various professions and discussions for any changes should ideally involve the related professionals within teaching. Many established and practicing artists have been teaching Basic design since 30 to 40 years in Karnataka.
Taking such a drastic step in the curriculum is a loss for the students.
We the concerned artist educators, architects and designers request the Board of Studies, VTU and the Council of Architecture to review the decision and reinstate Basic design as a core subject for the architecture students.
From Concerned teachers, students, architects, artists and designers.
Umesh Kumar PN (Artist, Art Educator)
Ravi Kumar Kashi (Artist, Art educator)
Pramod Stephen (Artist, Art educator)
Paramesh Jolad (Artist, Art educator)
M C Ramesh (Artist, Chairman , Karnataka Shilpa Kala Academy)
Vagish (Architect)
B.B. Prakash (Architect, Professor)
130
The Issue
The VTU have sent a B. Arch course curriculum for first year in which the tried and tested method of the subject of Basic design and art appreciation have been removed for the first semester.
Basic design subject has been part of the architecture studies since 1940s in India. While internationally Bauhaus school integrated artists to teach few subjects for the architecture and design students.
The artists have been teaching architecture students basic design , visual arts introducing them to freehand drawing, medias and materials, introducing them to art movements, important artworks and artists many of whom practiced architecture as well.
No university in India has removed Basic Design from architecture syllabus.
Removing the basic design subject is a big loss to the students as it weakens the foundational skill set required for higher semesters. Integrating a couple of modules relating to art in a regular architecture subject is not enough for the student’s advantage.
The first-year students have always enjoyed attending basic design giving them the joy to do creative works with their hands using different medias and materials. The artists teach the students visual language and grammar which they apply later in their studies and also in their careers. Visits to galleries and museums and explaining to them about it are part of basic design for the first or second semester. This first hand experience will be lost to the students.
The curriculum for architecture studies have always involved various professions and discussions for any changes should ideally involve the related professionals within teaching. Many established and practicing artists have been teaching Basic design since 30 to 40 years in Karnataka.
Taking such a drastic step in the curriculum is a loss for the students.
We the concerned artist educators, architects and designers request the Board of Studies, VTU and the Council of Architecture to review the decision and reinstate Basic design as a core subject for the architecture students.
From Concerned teachers, students, architects, artists and designers.
Umesh Kumar PN (Artist, Art Educator)
Ravi Kumar Kashi (Artist, Art educator)
Pramod Stephen (Artist, Art educator)
Paramesh Jolad (Artist, Art educator)
M C Ramesh (Artist, Chairman , Karnataka Shilpa Kala Academy)
Vagish (Architect)
B.B. Prakash (Architect, Professor)
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 23 August 2026