Founded in 1952 as a training centre for fine arts, thanks to the pioneering efforts of the former governor of Pondicherry late Sayajirao Silam & social activist late NE Puram, a 5 year full time diploma course in Architecture was initiated in 1954 by Mr. SG Athavale. Functioning under the auspices of Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya with Principal Diwakar Dengle looking after both the Arts & the Architecture disciplines, the latter came in for a major revamp under Mr. Ratnakar G. Pundlik since 1963. This triggered a spate of significant changes, so much so that students from distant parts of state were drawn towards the Institute & the alumni soon started bagging ambitious projects. The old course was revised in 1964 & the 1st batch rolled out in 1970. Thereafter, Mr. Vaikunth Sardesai took over from Mr. Pundlik in 1976, for what then went on to become an 18 year long stint, lending the Institute steadiness & a social orientation. The Department of Architecture was affiliated to the University of Poona in July 1978, concurrently rolling in the 1st batch the same year for a course leading to a degree of 'Bachelor of Architecture. Blessed with the dedicated & professionally versatile guidance of the likes of late Athavale, late JV Gandhe, late MG Palshikar, Mr. RT Ghogale, Mr. VB Padhye, Mr. SG Sule, along with numerous other able professionals from Pune, the students shone splendidly well on national as well as international horizons. Principal Prof. Vijay Padhye succeeded Prof. Sardesai for a 3 year tenure, culminating in new dimensions for instruction in Design Fundamentals & History of Architecture. Spearheading this unstinted academic tradition, students pursued their post graduation at exalted centres like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kharagpur, Roorkee & even abroad. A number of them have reinvested their expertise into the academic mission of the Institute. With their assistance, the Institute is working towards making a Masters Degree course available in Pune itself. The bequest of dedicated teaching professionals now rests with a young team of talented teachers & the 2 together will surely go a long way in enriching architectural instruction.

With expansive scope, space has become a constraint. The added challenge of vying with 4 more institutes in the city has, however, met its match in commanding reputation & sheer commitment. In an apt response to changing times, the Institute plans to augment state of the art computer & audiovisual facilities & material testing equipment. To complement the prolific think tank of architectural instructors, drawn from the cream of professionals, the Institute also envisages a pro active pool of student expertise in addressing live projects & topical urban issues. The student potential is also channelled towards documentation of heritage structures through measured drawings. Also on the anvils is spearheading research towards energy efficient solutions & eco friendly architecture. To supplicate its professional commitment, the Institute intends to redefine & revitalise its social participation in a broader perspective. Under consideration are an in house consultancy cell, welfare schemes for students & teachers, an alumni centre, an extension centre, a programme for continuing education, quality improvement pursuits for teachers, new laboratories & a material museum. The Institute is also seeking the participation of ex - students in its fund raising drive. To boost better professional interaction, the Institute is poised to take a lead in specialised lectures through open flora by inviting personalities from diverse but allied fields such as poets, writers, painters, sculptors, sociologists, marketers, economists, historians, politicians, etc. Having celebrated Golden jubilee of the Architecture course in 2004 we now look forward to move to the academic complex at Pashan. The plans for the 1st phase of the complex are being finalised & the new campus is likely to be functional by the year 2014.