ARCHITECTURE

THESIS MANUAL
BATCH 2019 - 2024

HOLY CRESCENT COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

ALWAYE - 05, ERNAKULAM
 PREFACE

This thesis manual of Holy Crescent College of Architecture, Alwaye describes

requirements, guidelines, and format for the preparation and evaluation of a
bachelor's thesis in Architecture. Students are expected to be familiar with its
contents to avoid any confusion about the methods and procedures to be followed
while working on the thesis. Students may contact the Thesis Coordinator /
Co-coordinator or guide(s) for any clarification in this regard.

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 LIST OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction ________________________________________________________________4
2. Objective_____________________________________________________________________5
3. Duration______________________________________________________________________6
4. Course Overview_____________________________________________________________7
5. Learning Outcomes and Project deliverables_______________________________8
6. General Guidelines___________________________________________________________9
7. Evaluation____________________________________________________________________11
8. General guidelines for topic selction________________________________________12
9. Documents to be Submitted for Jury________________________________________15
10. Review Requirements and Marking Scheme________________________________16
11. Schedule______________________________________________________________________17

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 INTRODUCTION

The aim of the thesis is to prepare students for the actual architecture profession
with the practical training they have received in previous years. A complete project
has to be prepared as is being done when they are undertaking the architecture
profession. The work should include an intensive study of the topography, climate,
and problems concerned with the design of spaces and structures. The solution to
the problem must be with the integrated approach of the architect, engineer, urban
designer, planner, and landscape architect and this shall be reflected in the
preparation of drawings and the report.

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 OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this manual is to facilitate the students in producing the thesis work
in a form that is comparable to the best and comes out to be a scholarly publication
of the Institute. The aim of this manual is to provide guidance to students in the
thesis to ensure high standards for its contents, quality of research, and structured
presentation. A thesis is a permanent record of the scholarly work performed by a
student as a requirement for an academic degree awarded by MG University. Its
contents, presentation, and quality of workmanship are a reflection of the student
as well as the Institute. It is, therefore, incumbent on the Institute also to ensure
that the thesis report for public display in the institute library is of the highest
standard. This manual will facilitate in production of a good-quality thesis report.
Moreover, there are a number of technical aspects to be considered, while working
on a thesis to make it a useful reference for posterity.

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 DURATION

The thesis is a part of the curriculum of the Bachelors in Architecture and is carried
out in the last semester of the course, as a part of the academic requirement to be
eligible for the Bachelor's degree. The student will be required to work under the
guidance of a guide allotted by the Department and complete the required work in
the course of the semester, followed by a viva-voce by a panel of external
examiners. Students’ work will be reviewed regularly by a departmental panel
throughout the semester to assess their progress and guide them from time to
time. Classes will stand suspended during this period. Students may carry a formal
letter for data collection from the Head of the Department.

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 COURSE OVERVIEW:

● To prepare the student for profession and practice by encouraging

comprehensive and detailed approach to design based on a holistic and
comprehensive learning from the previous semesters.
● To evaluate the potential and capability of the student to synthesize
architectural, technical and social systems through a capstone project and
represent the outcome using sufficient number of architectural drawings/ 3D
models and other visual representation techniques
● The students are expected to demonstrate their creative and critical thinking
through a choice-based studio in their area of interest.
● To provide guidance in the area of interest of the student to help them further
their career in the direction of their choice within the scope of the B.Arch.
program.

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 LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROJECT DELIVERABLES:

● A design project of suitable scale to be identified, designed and documented as a

part of the architectural design thesis. For the purpose of uniformity, it is
recommended that the project cover an area between 8000- 10,000 sq.m.
approximately. It is expected that the project selected must be of benefit to the
society. The feasibility of design proposal shall be verified so that students are
able to demonstrate the practical possibility of their design thesis. A special
topic of study relevant to the thesis has to be identified and researched along
with the design proposal.
● The students are expected to produce a holistic and comprehensive outcome
involving the area of Site Planning, Structural feasibility, functional efficiency
and space planning, Form development, Environmental planning considerations,
Building Services, Climate responsive architecture, Sustainable approaches and
energy efficient architecture, Projects contextual response, fundamental project
economics and Architectural design Detailing
● The final deliverables of the project shall include research documentation
sheets including all studies relevant to the proposed project, Design evolution
drawings and detailed architectural drawings, physical model, rendered
perspective views and comprehensive report of the project. An interactive 3D
model may be made available to the jurors to visualize the project quickly and
effectively. All scheme drawings of various stages showing the evolution of
design should be made available for jurors’ reference in all stages of evaluation

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 GENERAL GUIDELINES
THESIS AND VIVA-VOCE

● Students of the B.Arch. Degree course are required to prepare an Architectural

Design Thesis during the X semester of the B.Arch. Degree programme.
● The Head of the Teaching Institution shall allot a guide for each student
considering the nature of the work and specialization of the faculty member at
the beginning of IX semester. As far as possible student’s preference may also be
considered before allotting theguide.
● Students admitted to the IX semester should submit the choices of their thesis
project within a month after the commencement of the IX semester classes in
consultation with the guide.
● Students shall obtain approval for the project of Architectural Design Thesis
from Teaching Institution.
● The duration of the Architectural Design Thesis will be six months from the date
of commencement of the X Semester B. Arch Degree Course
● The project selected may be either a live architectural project or hypothetical
one so that the student gets training in tackling projects similar to what he/she is
likely to face in his/her professional career.
● The project, of around 10000 sqm built up area, and its program shall be worked
out by the student himself/herself under the directions of the guide.
● The work should include an intensive study of the topography, climate and
problems concerned with design of spaces and structures. The solution of the
problem must be with the integrated approach of the Architect, Engineer, Urban
Designer, Planner and Landscape Architect and this shall be reflected in the
preparation of drawings and the report.
● Students are required to maintain a work diary of the thesis work.
● All students are required to schedule their thesis work, get it approved by the
guide, at the beginning of the X semester and submit a copy of the same to the
thesis coordinator nominated by the Head of the Teaching Institution

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 EVALUATION

INTERNAL EVALUATION

● Internal evaluation of each student will be done by a three-member jury

constituted by the Department. One member of the jury will be the guide. The
other jury members are to be constituted either from the faculty of Architecture
of the Teaching College and/or from among the Architects, registered with the
Council of Architecture, incorporated under the architect’s act 1972, with not less
than five years of experience.
● The progress will be assessed by the jury periodically through a minimum of three
stages of reviews the dates will be published by the Department before the
commencement of the Xth semester. Each review shall be graphical (including
models) and oral presentation.
● Students have to obtain a total of 40% marks combining four stages of reviews to
become eligible for the external jury.
● Total of 250 marks to be awarded as marks for internal assessment will be allotted
through the three reviews.
● Review 1 - Introduction of the Thesis Topic, Feasibility studies, Basic data, and
(Case studies/Primary surveys. Analysis. Arriving at Inferences- -50 marks
● Review 2 -Design Program, Site analysis, and Conceptual development. -50 marks
● Review 3 - Review of the Previous stage Detailing of the conceptual stage leading
to design decisions, the process to arrive at Sketch design. Layout, blocking, etc.
Graphical presentations of Floor Plans. Sections. Views. Block Models etc.
Conformity to Relevant Standards. Bye-laws etc. And Achievement of Basic
Objectives of Architectural Design. Introduction of the Special Topic. -50 marks
● Review 4 - Review of Previous stages. Finalization of the Design. Layout. Final
Design for various buildings graphical presentation of Plans, Sections, Elevations,
Views, etc. -50 marks
● Review 5- Details of Building and Site Services. Site Planning and Landscape
schemes. Preparation of relevant Detailed Drawings. Application of Special Topic
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in the design. Review of Report -50 marks.
EXTERNAL EVALUATION

● An external jury consisting of the Chairman. Two external examiners and one
internal examiner appointed by the University shall conduct the Thesis and Viva
Voce Examination.
● The Jury members (excluding the chairman) shall submit the consolidated marks
to the Chairman on the last day of Viva Voce and the Chairman should submit
the mark sheet directly to the University.
● Students shall secure 40% of marks in the external jury and 50% aggregate
(Internal External) for successfully completing the thesis and Viva-voce.
Supplementary chances will be given to the students who failed in the final jury.

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 GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PROJECT SELECTION

● Past Two-year thesis projects or sites from the same university will not be
approved.
● Repetition of the same thesis topics among students of the same batch shall not
be allowed.
● The selection of any project should be supported by a feasibility study during the
topic finalization.

❖ Architectural Design Project - The selected project shall have a minimum

built-up area of 8000- 10,000 sq.m. approximately.

❖ Master Plan Project - In projects such as mass housing and hospitality

repetition of similar units must be limited to 30% of the total built-up area
and the total site area should not be more than 50 acres.

❖ Conservation Project - In cases of conservation/restoration projects the

following parameters have to be met.

● The selected project should have a minimum built-up area of 15,000 sqft
Relevance and the historical value of the building.
● The contextual study includes the built character or architectural elements of
the area.
● Documentation of the existing building in its actual condition.

● The final proposal should include additional construction that’s is not less than
80% of the existing build-up.
● The Final Built-up area should be 60,000 sqft.

● The proposed intervention should remain sensitive to the existing built fabric.

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❖ Urban Design Project - In the case of urban design projects or urban
landscapes, the study area should not be more than 100 acres with a built-up
area not less than 60,000 sq. Ft.

The following parameters have to be met:

● Regional study and analysis.

● Site study with urban mapping(urban layers) such as Historic evolution,

Land use, Urban block figure-ground, Open spaces, vegetation, road
network and traffic analysis, walkability, building typology, building age,
building heights, activity nodes, and landmarks, building typology,
infrastructure, services and amenities, topography, morphology and
architectural character, cadastral mapping.
● Timeline and chronology of the site.

● The project should remain sensitive to the existing context.

● Project feasibility with stakeholder analysis.

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 SUGGESTED AREAS FOR SPECIAL TOPIC

● Structural drawings supported with detailed calculations

● Detailed estimates and specifications.

● Building construction techniques and the details of the use of new materials.

● Equipment and design of anyone building service like air conditioning.

● Electrification and illumination, sanitation, and water supply or acoustics.

● Furnishings, fittings, and finishes.

● Climatic research and its applications.

● Any other architecture-related topic approved by the teaching institution.

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 DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED FOR THE JURY

● Two copies of the Data Collection in the preliminary design stage (up to the
design and including the case Studies) shall be compiled and presented along
with the final submission in A3 size format.
● Two copies of the Final Report shall be submitted on the date and time
announced by the Dept. Of Architecture of the Teaching Institution.
● The total number of design sheets for final submission shall not exceed 30
(thirty) A1 size sheets.
● Models to be submitted on the date of the Viva Voce examination at least by 9
am.
● The format and other instructions regarding the schedule of reviews,
preparation of the bound volumes of Data Collection, Final Report, Final Sheets,
Models, etc. Will be announced by the Dept. Of Architecture of the teaching
college.

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 REVIEW REQUIREMENTS AND MARKING SCHEME

INITIAL TOPIC DISCUSSION AND TOPIC FINALIZATION

Synopsis discussion of 3 topic proposals ( PSE internal Jury 50 marks)

● Topic Introduction and Background study

● Aim, Objective and Methodology
● Scope and Limitation
● Project feasibility
● Site Introduction and Feasibility
● Design Elements
● Case Study Identification (3 Literature case studies and 3 Live case studies)

-------------------Guide allocation after the topic finalization---------------

REVIEW 1 (Jury: 50 marks, Guide: 50 marks)

❖ Project Brief - Project Introduction, Background study, Aim , Objectives,
Methodology, Scope, Limitation and Feasibility Study
❖ Data Collection and Primary surveys ( if any) - A3 booklet
❖ Literature case study (minimum of 2)
❖ Live case study (minimum of 2)
❖ Site Introduction- Site feasibility study
❖ Analysis and inferences of the Studies - Comparative Analysis
❖ Design Brief - Design Components, Design Interventions and Area Statement

REVIEW 2 (Jury: 50 marks, Guide: 50 marks)

❖ Site Study - Introduction, detailed Study and Analysis
❖ Site model
❖ Concept and Zoning
❖ Design Development - zoning to design development, single line
❖ Block Model
❖ Conceptual Sketches
❖ Introduction to Special Topic

REVIEW 3 - Initial Design (Jury: 50 marks, Guide: 50 marks)

❖ Master Plan Double line - contextual response, zoning to design evolution
❖ Individual Block plans
❖ Area Statement
❖ Form Development and Site Level Massing
❖ Block Model
❖ Special Topic Application in the Design
❖ Report - First Draft ( soft copy ) - report format will be shared later
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 REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

REVIEW 4 - Design Progress (Jury: 50 marks, Guide: 50 marks)

❖ Site Plan and Master Plan
❖ Floor Plans
❖ Block Sections
❖ Block Elevations
❖ Site sections
❖ Site Elevations
❖ Views and Sketches
❖ 3D views
❖ Special Topic Application in Design

REVIEW 5 - Design Finalization (Jury: 50 marks, Guide: 50 marks)

❖ All Detailed drawings

REVIEW 6 - Mock Jury (250 marks)

❖ 30 A1 sheets- Study sheets and Design Sheets - Presentation sheets
❖ A3 booklets - Data collection
❖ Report Final Draft ( Hard copy: B/W double side print , spiral bind)

FINAL JURY (250 marks)

❖ 30 A1 sheets Study sheets and Design Sheets - Presentation sheets
❖ A3 booklets - Data collection
❖ Physical Model
❖ Walk through (maximum 3 minutes)
❖ Final Report ( Hard copy: one colour print , two B/W single side print , hard bind
-cover page colour will be shared later, duly signed by the respective guide)

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 THESIS 2024 - SCHEDULE

* Tentative Schedule
REVIEWS DATE

REVIEW 1 24th April 2024 Wednesday

REVIEW 2 15th May 2024 Wednesday

REVIEW 3 12th June 2024 Wednesday

REVIEW 4 3rd July 2024 Wednesday

REVIEW 5 31st July 2024 Wednesday

MOCK JURY 14th August 2024 Wednesday

FINAL JURY Will be published later as per MG University Notification

Note:
● All the students are requested to reach the college on time which will be
mentioned by the thesis coordinator for all reviews
● All the review will be pin-up presentation
● All the students are requested to meet their respective guides for
discussion before each review. Discussion on the day of review will not be
entertained
● Every student should meet the respective guides minimum of 2 times
before each review and get the CA (Consecutive Assessment) Report
signed.

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