Donatas BaltruĹĄaitis
CV+RESUME
profile
Born 24 March 1988 Nationality Lithuanian, EU 00 372 488 168336 donatas.baltrusaitis@gmail.com www.bau.lt
Donatas is a restless problem solver, wasting no time in getting directly to the heart of a problem. He is a sharp, academic and systemic thinker. He is quick to grasp new concepts but never fails to look at the bigger picture. Throughout his international career Donatas has been involved with significant and highly sensitive public projects, giving him a great skill in negotiating between political ambition and the site’s potential. This has meant that he is passionate about the development process and project realisation - using design to connect abstract ideas and objectives. Donatas has a special interest in public domain and regional planning particularly in the realm of strategic planning. He has been instrumental in researching and planning the future of Antwerp’s 20th century ring and green belt, the highly contentious territorial masterplan for the city and it’s region. He held a lecture ‘12 innovative urban strategies’ that create sustainable and creative cities in Architektūros fondas lecture series, in Kaunas, 2016. Lecture was based on professional international experience and Belgium territorial planning system: from projects to implementation strategies. Architect, Urbanist, Innovator. Member of ISOCARP (International Society of City And Regional Planners), member of LUIT (Lithuanian Urban Innovation Network), founder of BAU (Baltrušaitis Architecture Urbanism), strategic urban planning game developer, author and co-author of scientific publications.
cv
Education Donatas Baltrušaitis (°1988) is an architect, urbanist and researcher qualified as an architect from Vilnius Gedinimas Technical University (2011), erasmus exchange studies at Universidad de Sevilla, Spain (2010). Later on he obtained a master degree in Urbanism from the University of TU Delft (2014). Dissertation titled “Guided self-organization: Vilnius”, 2014. Published in Design as Politics, 2014. Received Cum Laude and Honorable mention. Graduation thesis was done in the research driven design studio, where he gained experience in urban design and strategic planning strongly interconnected with real challenges of the current cities and territories. Winner of a prestigious Arnas Dineika scholarship. 2012-2014 TU DELFT. Master’s degree in Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences (cum laude) 2007-2011 VGTU Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban planning 09/2009-02/2010 US Universidad de Sevilla. Erasmus exchange studies 2003-2007 Vilnius Žirmūnai Gymnasium. School education degree
Languages English (fluent), Lithuanian (mother tounge), Russian (advanced), Spanish (advanced), Dutch (basic)
Lectures, exhibitions 10/2016 Invited lecturer “Urban Acupuncture - towards successful public space activation”. EASA (European Architecture Student Assembly) international tutor meeting, Fredericia, Denmark 09/2016 Invited lecturer “12 Urban Strategies”. Architecture Fund lecture series, Kaunas, Lithuania (online video: http://bau.lt/Public-lecture-12-Urban-strategies) 07/2016 Lecturer “Modern Condition of Architecture”. EASA workshop, Nida, Lithuania 03/2014 Invited lecturer “Working methods and strategies”. Design as Politics studio. Delft, Netherlands 2013 Exhibition in TU Delft. “From Metropolis to Urban Nature, Rotterdam North” 2012 Exhibition in TU Delft. “Island project: Den Helder” 2011 Exhibition in Vilnius Gediminas TU and Vilnius Design week. Installation “Metro Utopia in Vilnius” 2010 Exhibition in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
Publications, papers 2017 Publication “Brussels many-face God: On contemporary discourses of urban planning and the lessons learned”. Published in Brussels Newsroom. 2016 Independently released publication “Urban economy of innovative cities”. 2015 Paper “What about Circular Economy” was selected by ISOCARP (Internaiotnal Society of City and Regional Planners) to the top15 list from more than 200 papers. Published by ISOCARP. 2015 Publication in Lithuanian architecture magazine “Archiforma” - “XXI century architects condition” 2014 “Healthy City Klaipėda” project published by Klaipėda architectural union 2014 Publication in Design as Politics of Master thesis research project “Signs of Identity: Vilnius” 2013 Publication in Design as Politics on architectural office Ecosistema Urbano and Tactical Urbanism Winner project for Best Architecture student and Arnas Dineika scholarship published 2011 Publication in journal “Architecture and Urbanism”. Installation “Metro Utopia in Vilnius”
professional experience Donatas professional work experience includes posts in internationally renowned architecture and urbanism studios in Brussels, Leuven, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Vilnius. Early professional career, enriched by international workshops, lecturing, study tours, allowed him to acquire excellent communication, organizational skills with strong propensity to teamwork, flexibility and problem solving. Motivation and passion for work gave Donatas opportunities on various occasions to prove himself as an individual urban planner with strong leadership skills. He developed work ethic and respect to the working team while always applying to socially-oriented analytical thinking. Current individual work with BAU consists of active engagement in Urbanism-related events and projects in Lithuania. While project leader position in BUUR allows him to acquire specific knowledge of large scale territorial urban planning systems in Belgium, test them and implement them. Many regional and city scale projects allows to understand the complex mechanism of sustainable urban development and all the essential processes that guide them. 04/2016 - now:
BAU (Baltrušaitis Architecture Urbanism): Founder www.bau.lt Belgium, Lithuania Donatas is a founder of Urban research platform BAU. The platform is intended to exhibit knowledge, projects, professional experience. BAU believes in interdisciplinary method of co-creation and collaboration between architects, urban planners, municipal representatives, institutions and NGO’s. Efficient co-working is the only way to build a successful and sustainable city. Design through participation being one of the core principles. BAU works together with other specialised teams for multi-disciplinary assignments, in this way the most relevant know-how can be utilised for that particular project. 08/2014 - now
BUUR (Office for Urbanism): Project Leader www.search.nl Leuven, Gent, Brussels He joined BUUR in 2014, and since then he has collaborated on projects ranging from complex urban design and urban planning missions to integrated city projects adapting sustainable urban design and circular economy principles. Projects include urban design mission Baelskaai Oosteroever Oostende or the study on circular economy for Poort Genk. During professional experience within BUUR (Buro for Urbanism), he has negotiated development strategies in a number of highly complex sites, researched and worked on urban development innovation. Project list: - Alken2020 Valley (Alken): project coaching, master plan, RUP and design research for LSM project “Alken2020 Valley”, in the municipality of Alken, i.s.m. Proflow, Studio Roma, Madoc and Three-quarter Green (2016 - ...) - Kerkstraat (Lommel): vision for the city center, design and realization of the corresponding streets, instead of Lommel, i.s.m. SWECO (2016 - ...) - Philips site (Anderlecht): concept master plan for the redevelopment of three office buildings into a mixed living and working environment, viRiX NV (2016 - ...) - Baelskaai (Ostend): construction plan and design public space for the urban development of a former harbor site on the East Bank, in accordance with BURCO COAST nv (2015 - ...) - Pegasus Park (Diegem): master plan, RUP and landscape design for the multifunctional (re) development of a business area, via ARES via Cobelpro NV (2015 - ...)
professional experience - City Center Renewal (Tienen): concrete development around city center reinforcement, city of Tienen (2015 - ...) - African Avenue (Ghent): design research into the future spatial development of the industrial area ‘Afrika Avenue’ and surroundings, in the sense of Ghent city, i.s.m. Ecorem, RebelGroup Advisory Belgium and Trajectory (2014 - ...) - Meensesteenweg (Roeselare): master plan for the redevelopment of an urban building block, based on CBS Invest Flipts & Dobbels nv (2014 - ...) - Tritsstraat (Kampenhout): feasibility study for a residential expansion project, ie LGV nv (2014 - ...) - Vitalac site (Veltem-Beisem): feasibility study for the development of a former business site, ie LGV nv (2014 - ...) - Framework contract (Genk): design research and vision building as input for urban spatial policy, instead of city of Genk (2011 - ...) - Campus Molenerf (Bruges): master plan for a socio-medical campus and environment, in the city of Bruges (2014 2016) - Circular Economics (Genk): New Business Models and Collaborative Shapes to Activate the Potential for Circular Economics in the Genk Region, Cf. Flemish Government, Policy Area RWO, Department of Space Flanders, Research and Monitoring Division, I.s.m. RebelGroup Advisory Belgium, RebelGroup Executives and TheRockGroup (2014 2015) - Keerdok (Mechelen): Master Plan for Urban Redevelopment of a Former Channel Site, Mechelen City (2014 - 2015) - Military Basis (Koksijde): design research and master plan for the reconversion of a military airport, in the province of West Flanders (2014 - 2015) - Mediapool Reyers (Brussels): design research for a new media pool, based on Territorial Development Agency (20122013) 08/2011 - 01/2012
SEARCH ARCHITECTS: Architectural assistant www.search.nl Amsterdam, Netherlands With SeARCH Architects i developed my skills and overall knowledge to a more insightful level. I was exposed to and learnt from Dutch design principles and strategies in residential design, urban planning, conceptual schemes, material analysis, sustainability research and product design. I managed drawings for Geert Groote college extension, headed the design for weaving factory in Bahrein, participated fully in Grevelingen information centre competition, involved fully in University of Gent competition. 05-10/2010
VMX ARCHITECTS: Architectural internship www.vmxarchitects.nl Amsterdam, Netherlands With VMX architects in Amsterdam i made my first step to international competitions and real-time responsability for any task. Here i learnt not to struggle and make work approach and design decisions quickly and deliberately. Here i cought a huge interest in a matter of design. I carried out most aspects of the Combiwerk Delft project from the design phase to drawings, physical model, 3d model and schemes. Participated fully in competition of Praktijkschool Max Havela in Hoogvliet. I’ve seen construction sites of ongoing projects, which gave me more practical knowledge. I built final and working models during my time at VMX as well as final presentation packages, elevations, renderings and conceptual schemes.
selected territorial planning projects Antwerp’s 20th century ring territorial masterplan (BUUR): project expert Metropolitan scale urban transformation project aims to cover the ring of Antwerp with a green roof creating space for the adjacent neighborhoods solving the air pollution and noise problems in the city. Billions worth investment project aims to reconfigure all transport infrastructure introducing new efficient public transportation systems, upgrading the existing energy heat networks, creating new public parks and diverse neighborhoods, introducing productive economy to the city. The territorial masterplans integral and essential part is intense co-creative process wit the project team and working community. Client: Municipality of Antwerp and state of Flanders. 02/2015 - now.
Implementation of Circular Economy for Genk (BUUR): project expoert An increasing number of municipalities, cities and regions have made the transition to circular economy. Genk, Hasselt and Houthalen-Helchteren have also decided to do so. Their major ambition is to achieve economic circularity by 2030. By 2030, the Gate of Genk will have become the ultimate laboratory of the circular way of thinking and acting. It will be the cross-road of circular economy, interconnecting supralocal, interurban and local networks. The Gate of Genk focuses on (ecologic) manufacturing industries wanting to create a symbiosis between logistics and eco design. In order to achieve this goal, the team has suggested a number of measures to be taken. Client: Municipality of Genk. 2014 - 2015
VRT Reyers media company territorial reconvertion (BUUR): project expert The Belgium public media companies VRT and RTBF confirmed that they would transform their site completely into a new living neighborhood with mixed functions and a large regional park. The old infrastructure will also be completely demolished and replaced by buildings that will operate separately, around which a real media hub can develop with other related companies. Commissioned by the Agency for Territorial Development and in close cooperation with the Brussels Master architect, the Flemish master architect, BUUR designed a new framework in the field of urban design, policy making and planning. Newest territorial planning document PAD of 2017 will be tested on the project site. 2007 - now
Tienen city-center reinforcement (BUUR): project expert BUUR was appointed together with Value Partners in 2015 by the city of Tienen for the development of a vision for city-center reinforcement. The vision aims at helping Tienen to develop a future-oriented spatial policy plan and, at the same time, build up projects and actions together with the local community of Tienen, and to increase local economic strength of the city. BUUR assisted the city through design research in preparation and quality monitoring in ongoing city projects. At the beginning of the process, a city debate was organized with politicians, civil servants and experts to achieve shared ambitions for the city. The action plan was built into clusters that were examined every time by a local studio with local partners. 2015 - 2016
Europan 14 competition - Productive Angers (BAU): project leader BAU together with OSMOS network collaborated on a Europan 14 competition project to develop a future vision for Angers derelict and mostly abandoned industrial part of the city. The proposal consisted of process-based integral participation planning for 10 coming years. Solutions and concept ideas were focused not only on physical interventions, bur rather on a complex development strategy. The opportunity to create a new neighbourhood that demonstrates a unique collaboration between production, living, working and play. A place that drives innovation, takes advantage of the shared economy, and benefits the whole of the city to strengthen Anger’s position as the productive heart of the region. 2016
selected engagement projects Xth Lithuanian Urban Forum: co-organizer and discussion moderator 2016 September 23 KTU together with the Kaunas Architecture Festival (KAFE2016), the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Real Estate Development Association (LNTPA) and other partners organized the tenth Lithuanian urban forum dedicated to the theme of the revitalization of Lithuanian cities. The aim of the forum: to look at the resuscitation of Lithuanian cities and learn from foreign international experience. Forum discussed various urban processes in terms of city economic viability, complex residential areas renovation and public participation in urban planning. Donatas Baltrušaitis and Mindaugas Statulevičius moderated the topic of Urban Economics. 10/2016
Architecture Fund Lecture - 12 Urban Strategies: invited lecturer Lecture on 12 innovative urban strategies that create sustainable and creative city. The main driving force - community activism. Samples taken from the Belgian urban planning system and personal professional experience. Paradoxically, the development of a more sustainable and smarter city should return to the traditional urban growth. Not adjustable and editable masterplans are XXst. century tendency, a trend that does more harm and limits the natural growth of cities. Nowadays Urbanist orientation is different: to mitigate between different stakeholders, create collaboration opportunities, open up new urban strategies, process management planning and urban development of the strategic city-making games. 11/2016
EASA workshop - Bring Nida Full Circle Bring Nida Full Circle Workshop focused on the principles of circular economy, sustainability, urban planning and architectural entrepreneurship. The main aim is to bridge EASA community to the local community of Neringa and create a long-lasting effect for student creations in the region. The workshop is led by practicing urban planners Donatas Baltrušaitis and Viacheslav Ivanov. The representatives from the Neringa Municipality, Nida Art School, Nida Gymnasium and Kuršių Nerijos National Park and even the mayor of Neringa found their way to the round table discussion with urban planners and students. Workshops focus was to facilitate the dialogue about real urban problems of Neringa. 07/2016
ISOCARP 50th congress - Cities save the world: co-organizer and participant Donatas Baltrušaitis participated in the 50th ISOCARP workshop as one of the YPP organizers and selected paper authors. The lSOCARP2O15 congress comes at a time of unprecedented global urbanization. Voices from the global level down to the ground - in both the public and private sector - are calling for a ‘planning’ approach to address the complex chal nges that this brings. The congress is therefore an opportune ti e to open up to the world, work together and learn from each other, lt is being hosted by The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Donatas worked and co-organized the Dortmund workshop with the theme “How to leverage Economic growth through spatial projects?”. 10/2015
Strategic city planning game ‘Game of Powers’: creator and facilitator Game of Powers - a similar game to those used in actual city planning and urban interventions. Not only do urban planning games promote planning concepts concerning Circularity, Mass-Migration and Big Data, they also serve as an important tool for planning inclusive, smarter and more sustainable urban environments. Additionally, the unmistakable potentials of the games have already found their way into various urban planning and development departments in cities as Amsterdam, Brussels, Cape Town, Delhi, Istanbul and many more. Nevertheless, these games are the future of modern city planning and it is only the beginning. A meaningful combination of amusement, planning and co-creation. 2016
2017