Department of Architecture

About the Department

History

The Department of Architecture will be starting its B.Arch programme in the year 2014.

Profile

The North East of India, like all other parts of the country has its own distinct character that contributes and make up the rich culture of our country. Vernacular Architecture, Arts and Crafts is an inherent trade, as well as a way of life for the people, which is being carried down through generations. More specifically, the method of building with local materials, the skills employed for their construction and the nature of how the structure is planned, the roof is formed and designed has a symbolic meaning and the definite purpose of protecting the inhabitants from the external forces. They developed the concept of community living and settlements came into existence which later became the cradle of early civilizations which we refer to as architectural landmarks today. Post Independence, small settlements have expanded into towns and cities and most often we observe a disconnect between the built and the unbuilt.

The Department of Architecture at North-Eastern Hill University Shillong campus, aims to impart Architectural education through the technical experience of the teaching faculty who are professionals in the field and pass on that experience and knowledge to the youths of our country and specially to the youths of the north-eastern states who until now have had to venture out to far off places to fulfil their dreams. NORTH-EASTERN HILL UNIVERSITY (NEHU), a Central University has taken the initiative to start the Department of Architecture, which is much needed for the region and the state as a whole.  The need to research, understand and study the context we live in is indeed an important one, not just because of the hilly terrain being different from the plains, but also the study of the different societies, cultural history, being conscious of the stress on ecology when we build, being prepared from natural disasters, future projections and alternatives to planning and development.