How to write B. Arch

Architectural Design Thesis Report ?

12th March 2014

Prof Bharat N Mulay Principal/ Director

Sat Priya School of Architecture & Design Rohtak

Formatting

Paper Size: The paper size is first determined. For a thesis, the standard paper size is the A4

(210mm x 297mm). Only one side of this sheet is typed upon. It is possible to have headers

and footers on each page. Sometimes, the header shows the page nos, while the footer shows

the title of the project, and the name of the candidate, year and College/ University roll no.

project emblem/monograph etc

Numbering: The page numbers are usually placed at the top right corner of every page. The

preliminary pages are numbered using roman numerals (i, ii, iii) and then from chapter

one, it changes to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). The page number is not shown on the title

page.

Line Spacing: The double line spacing is the standard used throughout except for indented

quotations and footnotes, which should be typed using single spacing.

Line Justification: The full line justification is preferably used for writing theses.

Character attributes: The font type that has become a sort of standard is the Times New

Romans. The standard font size is 12; the only place where it is not usually so is on the title

page, where different sizes may be used to make emphasis. The chapter headings are usually

in bold font and sometimes underlined. Some sub headings also appear in bold.

Presentation

The thesis is presented with hard bound cover, generally binding done on the longer side

of A4. No spiral binding is allowed. The information contained on the title page is repeated on

the front cover of the binding. Usually, the colour for the rexine cover binding is as decided by

the University or college for various batches. The selection of colours is to easily differentiate for

each batch of students.

COLOR CODE

8th

sem Thesis cover : BLACK

10th

sem Thesis cover: RED

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION 2

2.0 CONTENTS 3

2.1 Title Page 3

2.2 Preliminary Pages 3

2.3 Table of Contents 3

2.4 Abstract 3

2.5 Chapter One: Introduction 4

2.6 Statement of the Problem 4

2.7 Aims and Objectives of the study 4

2.8 Scope of study 4

2.9 Significance of the study 4

2.10 Limitations of the study 5

2.11 Definition of terms 5

2.12 Chapter Two: Literature Review 5

2.13 Chapter Three: Case Study 5

2.14 Chapter Four: Research Methodology 5

2.15 Chapter Five: Data Analysis 6

2.16 Chapter Six: Synthesis 6

2.17 Concept sheets 6

2.18 Circulation/ Bubble diagram, Site Plan zoning 6

2.19 Detail site Plan 6

2.20 Drawings and documents (Plans, elevations, sections) 6

2.21 Details drawings of important joints, new materials or anything new 6

2.22 Service details, water supply, plumbing, electrification, air conditioning,

structural physibility etc. 6

2.23 Views, sketches, Models etc 6

2.24 Conclusion

2.25 Recommendations 6

2.26 Bibliography and References 6

2.27 Appendices 7

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

The B. Arch Thesis is a report of a project/ dissertation undertaken by the student at the

end of his academic coursework. A student writes it under close supervision by a lecturer /

Guide. It is a fundamental part of the requirements for the award of the B. Arch Degree in

Architecture. It usually covers a specific area of knowledge, often times using a particular area as

a case study e.g. Proposed Design of a building with live site or a live project proposed by a

private or a government or any authority understanding the environmental setting and its location

in urban and physical context with a report to be written at the end of the project.

The B.Arch thesis is made up of several parts, which combine to form a whole. These

divisions or chapters, help in the organisation of the report. It usually starts with a proposal,

which is based on a formulated requirement, and ends with summed up conclusions, making

useful proposal based on the conclusions.

The writing of this report is usually the final stage of academic work and would be

subject to examining by a competent juror, who awards marks to the student based on what he

has written.

2.0 CONTENTS

2.1 Title Page

The Title page comes first in the report. As it

suggests, it gives the title of the project. Apart from

this, other information given by the title page

includes the name and matriculation number of the

student who has written the report, the department to

which it is been submitted (in this case Architecture)

and the month and year of submission.

2.2 Preliminary Pages

These pages come immediately after the title

page and before the abstract. They include:

Declaration: The writer declares that he did the work under supervision, stating his

supervisors name.

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Certification: Quite similar to the

declaration page, the writer certifies the

work is his and has not been previously

presented elsewhere for the award of a

similar degree. He, his supervisor and

departmental head all append their

signatures on this page.

Dedication: The work is dedicated to whomever

the writer wishes, usually to God and at times to

parents or other people.

Acknowledgement: The writer acknowledges

the people who have inspired or supported him

in one way or the other. Usually appreciation

goes to God, parents, siblings, his project

supervisor, other lecturers, close friends and

colleagues.

2.3 Table of Contents

The table of contents lists out all that is contained in the report and the page numbers on

which they can be found. It starts with the title page and ends with the references or appendix as

applicable.

2.4 Abstract

An abstract is a summary of the research. Normally very brief and on one page, the

abstract gives relevant and precise information on the what the research is about and thus an

intending reader can decide whether or not to read the whole report or just parts of it. It is usually

about a 100 to 175 words long. Since it is a summary, it is written after the main body of the

report is completed although it appears at the beginning of the report.

2.5 Chapter One: Introduction

The introduction, as typical of any book, puts forth what the contents are about. It always

begins the first chapter of the report. In this part, the researcher explains the need for the study

and what it seeks to achieve and the impact or benefits that are derivable from it. It is possible

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that the writer gives here a brief history or Background of the study, another label for the

Introduction.

2.6 Statement of the Problem

This is also referred to as Problem definition. Here the researcher expantiates on the

research problem telling the reader what the problem is about in all entirety. At times this could

be done in the form of questions. The questions asked are a pointer to the problems posed, to

why the research was embarked upon or to the issues to be resolved.

2.7 Aims and Objectives of the study

This is also known as the purpose of the study. What the research seeks to achieve. Most

examples of M. Tech architecture thesis usually have one aim and some objectives that carrying

out the research hopes to achieve. They are usually listed out sometimes in the form of goals.

2.8 Scope of study

The scope of the whole research is outlined here. It states clearly what area the research

covers. This is especially advantageous in helping another researcher; who is interested in the

same field; know to what extent the research covers and where he may then begin his own

research.

2.9 Significance of the study

This will tell the importance of the research, why it is worth embarking on and probably

suggest the people who would find it useful.

2.10 Limitations of the study

Here the researcher states the limitations he has encountered in his research. Often times

these limitations, may hamper the outcome of the study or even reduce the research scope the

researcher intended initially or set out to cover.

2.11 Definition of terms

The language used, especially the technical terms, is defined such that a reader who is not

familiar with the field or research has an understanding of what is meant.

2.12 Chapter Four: Methodology

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This chapter, which is an important one, states the research methods employed i.e. the

methods used in collecting information or data used and how he went about it. It includes each

step of the stage in the order in which it was carried out. This allows for duplication of the study

in another situation and helps the reader evaluate the findings and conclusions. These methods

usually include resource from books or the library, the Internet, observation, interviews,

administration of questionnaires.

2.13 Chapter Two: Literature Review

This review of literature usually comes in chapter two. The researcher, having read and

reviewed writings in his field of study, uses this review to form a theoretical base for his own

research. It examines previous works in that field of research and what it has accomplished. The

literature review might be historical in nature often times. It starts with a small introduction at

the beginning and a short summary at the end. It could be done through internet, a project which

has not been actually visited but collected all details from a source other than self-visited site

2.14 Chapter Three: Case Study

The case studies, if more than one are treated in this chapter. Usually, where a building, a

campus or urban level project has been used as a case study point, which is actually visited by

the student having its existence for more than 4 to 5 years and sufficient enough to get the

feedback. The chapter starts by giving a history of the project; its users, their origin, their

cultural values and their way of life. Merits and demerits of the case study, schematic drawings

of plan, elevations, & sections, (need not necessary to be actual measured drawings but if available from

authorities etc) zoning of various activities such as parking, adm and other spaces, circulation,

services in the buildings, and their analysis, areas per person, feedback from users, structural

physibility, etc. All above supported by photographs, sketches etc neatly presented.

2.15 Chapter Five: Data Analysis

This may run into more than one chapter depending on the amount of data presented for

analysis. Here the data collected as a result of the interviews, questionnaires, books, etc is

presented and analysed. The student is supposed to be objective in his presentation without any

biases to give the outcome of the studies carried out. Data analysis in this case represent the

collection of information with regards to the sizes, furniture, equipment etc including their

measurement, furniture arrangement and thus derivation of space requirement for ex : space

required for parking, types of parking (angular, perpendicular, parallel) or ( short term or long

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term parking) or (covered or uncovered) etc., dimensions of road & ramp width, clearance space

required, clear height for vehicles, turning radius, ramp slope, visibility for parking, obstructions

due to column spacing for basement parking etc, anthropometrics and all such data for all

requirements of buildings

2.16 Chapter Six: Synthesis

This, along with the conclusions and recommendations, and compilation of all the data

above formulate the required design problem shall be included in this chapter of the report. The

detail requirement thus formulated shall be used as guideline for working out the proposal by

working out the circulation diagram, zoning, horizontal and vertical allocation of spaces,

evolution of design from the site, surroundings, through a conceptual design with creative ideas.

2.17 Chapter Seven: Drawings

Note: All text written shall be readable. No LEGEND shall be provided in any of the

drawing sheets or photographs. Explanation of all spaces shall be given then and there itself

giving dimensions and not areas in plan except at space which is irregular in shape. In case of

such irregular shapes minimum and maximum dimensions shall be given for ex in room

trapezium in shape the dimension style would be (Xm + Ym)/2 x Zm, where X is maximum

length, Y is shorter length, & Z is depth/height of trapezium. Width of lobby, corridors shall be

mentioned and such common spaces shall be demarcated by hatching from usable spaces.

Each section shall explain all detail dimensions (heights only), overall dimensions,

material used in construction, and also explain in detail complicated parts by drawing enlarges

sections by blowing (zooming) up the drawing

1 Concept sheets

2 Circulation/ Bubble diagram, Site Plan zoning

3 Detail site Plan showing dimensions, contours, orientation etc

4 Drawings and documents (Plans, elevations, sections) drawn in CAD, REVIT with

presentable rendering, showing landscape, furniture layout, orientation etc

5 Details drawings of important joints, new materials or anything new

6 Service details, water supply, plumbing, electrification, air conditioning, structural

physibility etc.

7 Views, sketches, Models etc

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2.17 Conclusions

Based on the findings of the research/ project work, the candidate, having logically

presented his findings, draws direct conclusions in a logical manner. The number of conclusions

arrived at are dependent on the number of questions asked in the statement of the problem.

Writing a conclusion is an important part of any piece of writing. It is often possible to get a good picture

of an assignment by looking briefly at the conclusion. However, writing a conclusion can be quite difficult.

This is because it can often be hard to find something interesting or useful to say in the conclusion.

Conclusions should be attractive and interesting but often they are rather dull and "formula written".

Although formulae for writing conclusions are tempting to use, it is always best to avoid set phrases such

as "Therefore, let us conclude that..." which are clichs, and do not help to end your work in the best light.

A summary of the main part of the text

A deduction made on the basis of the main body

Your personal opinion on what has been discussed

A statement about the limitations of the work

A comment about the future based on what has been discussed

The implications of the work for future research

Important facts and figures not mentioned in the main body

2.19 Bibliography and References

References and bibliographies are used as pointers to more relevant information.

References are in actual fact, a list of the materials that have been consulted in the course of

writing the report. It gives the names of the authors of the books consulted, their year of

publication, name of publishers, page number from which reference was drawn, etc.

Bibliographies go on a little further than this however, giving the list of other materials that are

relevant to the research topic, whether or not it has been used in the research study.

2.20 Appendices

These are materials that can be used to support what has been written in the report. They

usually come at the end of the report where they are too bulky to be included in the main body.

They include tables, figures, plates, questionnaires, etc.

By

Prof Bharat N Mulay Principal/ Director

Sat Priya School of Architecture & Design Rohtak