SPA Delhi's 1970s Studio Culture vs. Today's Digital Renders

Snehanshu Mukherjee reflects on a recent student exhibition at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Delhi, contrasting the rebellious, research-driven studio culture of the 1970s with today's polished digital renders. He calls for a return to disruptive design thinking, arguing that the raw architectural debates of his youth fostered critical engagement, while contemporary education prioritizes visual presentation over conceptual rigor. Mukherjee's essay revisits the pedagogical ethos of SPA Delhi's early years, emphasizing hands-on experimentation and socio-political awareness. The piece serves as a critique of current architectural education, urging a revival of inquiry-based learning.