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Mumbai : The WOArchitect Career Conclave
(WCC) 2025, India’s first-ever conclave dedicated solely to career
opportunities in architecture, concluded today at the NESCO Centre, Mumbai,
with an enthusiastic turnout of over 700 registered participants from across
the country—including students, architects, professionals, corporates,
employers, design studios, architectural firms, educational institutions, and
exhibitors. The day-long event, supported by CREDAI-MCHI, was inaugurated by
Shri Narayan Rane, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, who commended the initiative
for addressing the long-overlooked gap in structured career guidance for
architects in India.
Shri Narayan Rane, Hon’ble Member of Parliament highlighted,
“Alongside my political journey, I have consistently focused on personal growth
and entrepreneurship from the age of 15. While I do not hold a formal degree in
architecture, my hands-on experience in business has been invaluable. Relying
solely on jobs may not lead to real progress—building businesses is just as
crucial for the growth of our state and our nation. I urge the youth not to
limit themselves by budgets or job expectations but to pursue entrepreneurship
with courage, knowledge, and creativity. By learning continuously, meeting
diverse people, and reading extensively, we can unlock innovation and elevate
Indian architecture on the global stage.”
He further added, “I have reserved 1400 acres of land in Sindhudurg to
invite 500 to 1000 companies and create over 1 lakh employment opportunities. I
am working tirelessly to transform Konkan into a vibrant hub of innovation—our
very own California—by adopting modern techniques and infrastructure. By
learning continuously, meeting diverse people, and reading extensively, we can
unlock innovation and elevate Indian architecture on the global stage.”
Conceptualized and curated by Ar. Milind Surve and Ar. Snehal Jagdale
Surve—Directors at Alternate Angle and Alternate Angle Academy and Co-Founders
of WOArchitect—the conclave presented a transformative platform to explore
career trajectories beyond conventional practice. From technology and research
to legal frameworks, education, and content creation, the event showcased
emerging and diverse paths within the profession.
Ar. Milind Surve, Co-Founder of WOArchitect mentioned,
“Architecture is no longer confined to traditional practice. With WCC 2025, we
wanted to broaden the horizon for young architects and demonstrate that design
thinking can be applied across industries. It’s time we reshaped the narrative
around architectural careers in India.”
The agenda for the day featured a mix of keynote presentations,
expert-led seminars, a vibrant job fair, and higher education showcases.
Renowned architects such as Ar. Hrishikesh Phadke, Ar. Rupali Gupte, Ar.
Makarand Toraskar, Ar. Amol Shimpi, Ar. Keval Valambhia, and Ar. Sagar Saoji
presented valuable insights across topics like techno-legal frameworks,
management, research, and architecture in the digital age.
A key highlight was the evening panel discussion, “Navigating
Architectural Career Map through Roles, Risks & Rewards,” moderated
by Ar. Amita Gore. The panel featured candid insights and thought-provoking
narratives around evolving roles in architecture, real-world challenges, and
the wide range of rewards that come from exploring unconventional paths.
Commenting on the conclave, Ar. Snehal Jagdale Surve shared,
“This conclave is our step toward empowering architects to think beyond a
linear path. We wanted to create a space where students and professionals could
meet mentors, explore untapped domains, and get the tools they need to craft a
meaningful career.”
Mr. Keval Valambhia, COO, CREDAI-MCHI, shared, “CREDAI-MCHI
is proud to support a forward-looking initiative like WCC 2025. The conclave
plays a crucial role in realigning how we view architectural careers in India.
From compliance to creativity, today’s architects must wear many hats—and this
platform does an outstanding job of preparing them for that reality.”
With over 15,000 members already engaged through WOArchitect’s online
platform, which offers career tests, e-learning, job boards, and
entrepreneurial resources, the successful execution of WCC 2025 marks a
milestone in expanding its real-world impact.
The conclave has set a new precedent in career-oriented discourse for
architecture in India and reaffirmed WOArchitect’s commitment to professional
empowerment, innovation, and lifelong learning.
About WOArchitect:
WOArchitect is a professional platform dedicated to helping architects
discover career paths, educational opportunities, and a thriving business
network. Through its innovative tools and expert-led initiatives, WOArchitect
empowers the architecture community to achieve professional excellence.