THESIS MANUAL (DRAFT 1)

INTRODUCTION:
The thesis is a self directed exploration of a student into field of architecture
through a chosen topic. It is an independent research and presentation of findings
under the guidance of a guide and the thesis supervising committee. The findings
of the thesis should extend beyond the boundaries of the professional discipline by
either presenting new or unique ideas or information or by interpreting existing
knowledge from a new perspective. In case of a research thesis the study should
necessary culminate into a methodology, policies/ guidelines.

OBJECTIVE:
To provide the students an opportunity towards application of the knowledge
gained in an independent Thesis, with a design or a research focus, to arrive at a
creative/ thoughtful design or findings, enriching their respective architectural
database. A thesis is a permanent record of the scholarly work performed by a
student as a requirement for an academic degree awarded by SPA, Poornima
University. Its contents, presentation and quality of workmanship are a reflection
on the student as well as the Institute. It is therefore, incumbent on the Institute
also to ensure that the material for public display in the library is of the highest
standard. This manual will be useful in producing good quality thesis work.
Moreover, there are a number of technical aspects to be considered, while working
on a thesis to make it a useful reference material for the posterity.

SUBMISSION FORMAT:
Sheets and Model:
All presentations and reviews would be panel reviews on drawings presented by
the student supplemented by study models at various stages of the thesis.

The MODELs need to be to suitable scale for the design and analysis to be
comprehensively explained through the model.

The DRAWINGs should be printed in no smaller than A0 Sheets and presented in

a sequential manner to explain the documentation, analysis and design process and
must be to suitable scale, with suitable title to each sheet with the student scholar
number, name of the student, name of the programme and orientation of drawings

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, POORNIMA UNIVERISTY, JAIPUR

clearly mentioned. Please note that orientation, size of similar maps and drawings
have to remain consistent throughout the drawings, reports and the presentation. It
is important that each individual should posses at least 10 AO Sheets and with
maximum of 15 Sheet as a part of their final submission.

REPORT:
The Thesis Report will be in A4 Format and will also contain A3 folded prints of
sheets and maps. The word limit of the report would be from minimum 10000
words to maximum 20000 words. 20% of the report text would be referenced, rest
needs to be paraphrased. Harvard System of referencing needs to be followed. Two
hard copies of your report in hard binding need to be submitted. This document
will include the following:
A. For design thesis:

a. Title page
b. Abstract
c. Content
d. List of tables, illustrations, graphs, diagrams
e. Introduction
f. Literature Review
g. Methodology
h. Precedents – Exemplars – Best Practice
i. Design: Site, Analysis, Design, Exploration, Options
j. Conclusions
k. Further Studies
l. Bibliography
m. Annexes
n. Appendices

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, POORNIMA UNIVERISTY, JAIPUR

B. Research thesis report:

a. Title page
b. Abstract
c. Content
d. List of tables, illustrations, graphs, diagrams
e. Introduction
f. Literature Review forming the gap in research literature giving rise to the
hypothesis
g. Methodology for research
h. Forming the research hypothesis
i. Research Methods used
j. Inferences from the qualitative and quantitative methods used
k. Research process to investigate the hypothesis
l. Research outcome
m. Conclusions
n. Further Studies
o. Bibliography
p. Annexes
q. Appendices

Thesis Proposal / Synopsis:

The thesis proposal format shall in general include the following, however the
format may vary depending on the thesis topic:
• Thesis Title
• Contextual background
• Thesis concern/Nature of the problem
• Hypothesis to be tested (if relevant)
• Aims and objectives.

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, POORNIMA UNIVERISTY, JAIPUR

 • Scope and limitations
• Proposed approach and methodology
• Data/information requirements
• Techniques/methods of data collection
• Expected outcome
• References

CASE STUDY:
It is to keep the students output at utmost concern level, with thesis reviews and
work in progress one should indentify at least three (3) Live Case Study: Primary
and two (2) Literature Case Study (1 National and 1 International): Secondary
to emphasize their area of concern and identify the potentials for respective
projects with respective observation and documentation, in regular consultation
with the Thesis Committee and Guide.

MODEL MAKING/ 3D VISUALIZATION:

Models of the existing and proposed plans individually is a mandatory affair. This
will ensure that the Conceptualization and thought instilling process will not take a
dip, rather enhance the intellectual level ensuring a more holistic and innovative
approach towards their design proposals.

Note: A Whole to Part Approach.

SHEET FORMATTING:
One must ensure that all the sheets submitted as a part of progressive review or
final review and submission must have common sheet formats. It is to keep in
mind that the following mentioned below should be common with the entire class.
 Paper Margins
 Texts
 Spacing
 Header and Footer
 Heading Style
 Maps ( Colored/ Scaled Maps with proper title/ Legends/ North Point/ Scale/
Key Map/ Location Map/ Notes etc.)
 Tables (Example: Population/ Traffic Chart)

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, POORNIMA UNIVERISTY, JAIPUR

  Figures/ Illustrations/ Photographs (Example: Landuse/ Density/ Landmark/
Services)

REFERENCING:
Harvard System of referencing has to be followed:

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, POORNIMA UNIVERISTY, JAIPUR