Architecture is intimately bound to the history and development of culture and is a prime agent in technological, artistic and socio-cultural change. It is a complex art embracing form and function, symbol and social purpose, technique and belief. “Architecture means the art and science of building design and particularly the design of any structure for human use or habitation. Further it is the art of applying human values and aesthetic principles to the science and technology of building methods, materials and engineering systems, required to comprise a total building project with a coherent and comprehensive unity of structure and site.”

“Architect means an individual who through education, training, and experience is skilled in the art and science of building design”.

In the 32 years of its existence, the newly established Manipal School of Architecture and Planning have seen a tremendous growth from a humble beginning under the Department of Civil Engineering offering specialization in Architecture into an institute .It came into existence in 1978With just a few students it started the B Arch degree under the Mysore University. It came under the newly established Mangalore University in 1980 as Department of Architecture. In October 2003, Manipal University renamed the Department of Architecture as Faculty of Architecture and Head of the Department as Dean. The Council of Architecture, the regulatory body for architects in India, in the year 2009 expressed its concern regarding autonomy of Faculty of Architecture and in 2010 it emphasized for an independent school of architecture and planning with the increase in the number of students