It is almost impossible to imagine a world without the art of Architecture. From humble single-story dwellings to million-dollar modern high-rises, architecture feeds the imagination of what has been and what could be. On the occasion of World Architecture Day PU's institute of Architectural and Research celebrated 10 years of offering quality and comprehensive education in the field. The event was an amalgamation  of lectures from key guests hailing from multiple disciplines of the architectural industry. To give account to this, the expert speakers went forth to build on the knowledge that has come before in the field.

Across the two days Mr Rahul Subberwal, Principal Architect, The Architectural Studio, New Delhi, and Heritage Conservation expert Ms Radhika Dhumal shared their expertise looking at hundreds of years of progress from the architectural historical roots. Dr Rajan Rawal, Senior Advisor and CRDF Professor, CARBSE (Center for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy), CEPT University, delivered his talk on Energy Efficient Built Environment. Prof Rajeev Kathpalia, Partner, Sangath, Ahmedabad, explained the design philosophy of Pritzker Laureate Dr BV Doshi, Founder & Principal Architect, Sangath, and its integration into their projects, for the students. To display the success of the institution over the years, an academic exhibition was organised for the students to share the impeccable projects they have worked on. Overmore, The exhibition aimed to demonstrate selected projects from various semesters, in a linear progression, with design exercises of varying complexities and foci.

To open the event, the exhibition was inaugurated by University's president Dr Devanshu Patel alongside Prof. Bhagyajit Raval, Dean. Other prominent guests who were present include  the Founder Director and Former Professor Mr C. D Pathak, and Senior Teachers Prof. Jignesh Vyas, and Prof. Percy Pithawala, the associates and fellow members of IIA (Indian Institute of Architects), IIID (Indian Institute of Interior Designers) and ITPI (Institute of Town Planners, India). With research as one of the pillars of the institution, a set of selected thesis projects completed by the recent batches of the institute, were showcased under a range of diverse topics related to heritage concerns, sustainability concerns, social concerns, cultural facilities, contemporary theories of design, urban transportation hubs.

The comprehensive teachings by the guests aimed to inculcate values, sensitivity, to enhance employability of the students and to enhance their knowledge on the latest technological advancements, digital tools and techniques. In addition, the teaching was seeking to expose the students to the social, cultural, and environmental concerns and allow them to apply solutions to these issues. Moreover, The extensive usage of appropriate software simulation tools for visualizing, drafting, modelling, rendering and generative designing was evident in the work displayed. It showed how newer digital tools could augment the creative capabilities of human minds.

To give emphasis, A collage was presented to show some of the important moments from the year 2012 in the institute's journey. Some of the successes included the design competitions won, heritage documentation competitions won, alumni achievements – academic and professional, webinars conducted, expert talks organized, valuable contributors, study trips and tours, workshops, seminars, social responsibility initiatives, projects accomplished by the Design cell, research assignments undertaken and completed successfully, papers presented, publications, installations conceptualized and realized, faculty achievements, amongst many others.

Parul Institute of Architecture and Research has been undertaking a number of consultancy projects which were also displayed at the event.  The institution has secured a project on the preparation of Spatial Plans for the 13 identified Rurban clusters under the aegis of CRD (Commissionerate of Rural Development), Gandhinagar for the project of SPMRM (Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission) in line with the directives of MoRD (Ministry of Rural Development). To a great extent, The institute has spread its wings beyond academics towards the contribution of the overall development of the state of Gujarat. In these efforts, the plans for the 31 villages across 5 districts of Gujarat, which are under the Vrindavan Gram Yojana are being undertaken. To add,  the strategies for development of more than 100 villages in the state of Gujarat are currently being executed. To mention a few,  Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, is one of the projects wherein the institute is working on capacity building and training of around 15,000 tribal beneficiaries from 5 districts of Gujarat.

Being ranked as one of the top 17 Architectural institutions in India the faculty not only aims to provide the best academic exposure to the students, however it seeks to groom the students to contribute to the sustainability and success of communities through the art of Architecture. "It is such a proud moment for us as an institution to witness the milestones that we have reached in these few years, this is a true testimony of all the efforts of our members towards enhancing the scope of this practice as well as to create a better and brighter India" shared the university's president Dr. Devanshu Patel.