Since its inception, KRVIA has located its architectural education in a wider format of cultural studies. A multi-disciplinary enquiry and a strong urban focus, form two, often overlapping spines of its curriculum. Rather than limiting architectural practice to a demand-supply logic, the school’s emphasis lies on research. In doing so we hope to see the context in a new perspective and perhaps suggest new trajectories of development.

In order to allow graduates, who have the urge to return to larger questions regarding the discipline of architecture, KRVIA has instituted the KRVIA Fellowship Programme. The institute has been running this programme since 1998. KRVIA invites proposals from architecture graduates wanting to explore ideas in the fields of architecture, art, technology, humanities and urban studies. The programme offers three fellowships for a period of nine months. The criteria of selection are a well worked out research question and a plan for its execution. The form of the research is open and explorations in various media are encouraged. Fellows spend 20 hours in the institute. In addition, the Fellows are free to join the KRVIA Design Cell, for which they are separately remunerated. Fellows are also encouraged to teach in the school. These students often pursue their interests further in Masters programmes and some return to the institute as faculty members. Their role as teaching assistants seems to inspire them to further their interest in the academic space. Fellowship students are guided by Faculty members from KRVIA and other resource persons identified by the institution. Following is the list of Fellowship papers produced since 1998: