PORTFOLIO LAKSHMI BAIJU | selected works 2018-2020 |
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Fluid Common Ground
‘Re’value the city
Decoding the Vector of Energy Poverty
Preserving Roots
Other Works
‘Re’-making of the Tanthof neighbourhood, Netherlands
Understanding the components of energy systems in the urbanrural context of NCR, India
Urban design of coastal areas of Veli, Kerala, India
Waterfront development as a tool for transition in AMA, Netherlands
Professional work done during office and internship experience in NL and Dubai
Master Graduation project
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Fluid Common Ground Waterfront development as a tool for transition Location : Amsterdam Metropolitan Region, Netherlands
The project addresses two main issues – the fundamental flaw of circular economy and the problem of monocentricity. In the conceptual framework for this project, it is argued that the fundamental flaw in circular economy is that it is based on growth, thus not much different from the existing linear economy. As such, it will always increase the demand for resource consumption and fail to create a truly sustainable economy. The problem of monocentricity and the social and spatial injustice it creates are also describe in the conceptual framework, and it is argued that a transition to a polycentric model will provide better conditions to tackle both of these issues. Through research by design, the concept of a common ground in the regional scale is explored. The results of this research suggests that the concept of common ground, when implemented in the regional scale, can serve as a tool for transition from a monocentric to a polycentric region. Furthermore, it can also function as an arena where other structural transitions are facilitated, and where people can engage and take part in these transitions. Keywords: Circular Economy, Common Ground, Concrete Industry, Monocentricity, Polycentricity.
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// Monocentricity to Polycentricity
+60.000 Dutch migrants until 2040 + 140.000 foreign migrants until 2040
Growing pressure on the AMA region and a monocentric Amsterdam
Amsterdam city fuels the AMA region. This leaves other cities, as dormitory cities, mostly with just residential function. If the Amsterdam city continues to develop in this manner, the areas around will face spatial injustice and unequal access to opportunities. The shift towards a polycentric model is a means to reduce the previously mentioned over dependency on the Amsterdam city. The idea is to bring together other cities in the region, strengthen them and create a balance in the metropolitan region and greater spatial justice.
deconstruction site (imaginary) )deconstruction sitesite (imaginary deconstruction (imaginary)
deconstruction site (imaginary) recovered prefab material flow
recovered prefab material recovered prefab material flow
prefabmaterial materialflow, flow to be recycled recovered waste
recovered waste material recovered waste material flow, to be recycled
recovered waste material material flow flow, to be recycled separated waste
separated waste material separated waste material flow
separated waste material flow flow processed into prefab material
processed prefab processed intomaterial prefab material flow
processed into prefab materialgrondstoffenatlas flow planned building site (source: MRA)
planned building site site (source: grondstoffenatlas MRA) planned building planned building processors siteMRA( (source:&grondstoffenatlas MRA) prefab concrete suppliers STATIC )source: grondstoffenatlas
prefab concrete processors & suppliers
prefab concrete processors & suppliers local material storage prefab concrete processors and suppliers local material storage
local material storage upcycling industry local material storage upcycling industry
upcycling industry waste treatment waste tretment facility facility
waste treatment facility waste treatment research + designfacility centre research + design centre research +that design centre materials cannot be reused in construction, nor materials that cannot be reused in construction, nor materials that be reusedfacility in construction, norto recovered in a cannot waste treatment are brought recovered in a waste treatment facility are brought to recovered in afactory waste to treatment are brought to an upcycling be givenfacility a new use an upcycling factory to be given a new use an upcycling factory to be given a new use
The polycentric model has the potential to create smaller flows in material and develop small economies. These local circular flows contribute to a larger circular regional flow. Thus, an inter-dependency is created between the local economies and the larger industrial network.
Circular concrete flow
In the AMA, the construction industry is the industry with the biggest ecological impact. Specifically within the construction industry, this project focusses on the concrete industry, because of the size of the flow, and because concrete is produced and processed in AMA. | 4
SHIFT TOWARDS A POLYCENTRIC SYSTEM
INVOLVE PEOPLE IN CONCRETE
BALANCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
STRENGHTEN THE SHARED IDENTITY OF THE REGION
REDUCE CONSUMPTION OF SAND & GRAVEL
The synthesis between the three concepts, a polycentric model, a common ground and circular concrete, results in the following vision statement:
In 2040, AMA is a network of interdependent cities, connected through the regional identity of the waterfront, that supports the transition towards a circular concrete industry and just, well-balanced patterns of housing development. In order to achieve this vision, five ambitions were formulated that direct towards achieving the vision. These ambitions each come with a more specific, practical set of goals that we as urban planners can have our influence on.
// Vision SHIFT TOWARDS A POLYCENTRIC SYSTEM Exemplary goals that come under the one of the ambitions
Project development aims to strengthen the local identity Project development aims to spatially connect regional and local functions
Urban waterfront
Travel time by public transport between cities is reduced to a maximum of 60 minutes Offer job opportunities in concrete industry
Industrial waterfront Recreational waterfront
Various waterfronts in the AMA
Ecological waterfront
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research
& design centre
educational institutes
resilient water-
national government municipality
banks
construction companies
province
concrete industry
transport hub
Bird’s eye perspective of the interventions in Amstel. Showing the relationship between stakeholders and interventions
municipality
housing developers
localised economy
residents
national government
municipality
province
water board
transformation to local material storage
local job opportunity
construction companies
wetland cultivation farmers
residents
concrete industry
municipality
new housing housing developers
order of interest
construction companies municipality residents
transport on water concrete industry
construction in recyclable concrete
river typology
transport on water
construction industry
water board
housing developers
environmental organisations
housing developers municipality environmental org. construction companies educational institutes residents water board province national government concrete industry
to convince farmers construction industry housing developers water board environmental org.
// Exemplary project | Amstel The connection between the city of Almere and the lakeshore is projected. In between the city and the beach lies an industrial area, including a prefab concrete factory. This is an ideal opportunity to engage people in the circular industry. By creating an attractive cycling and walking route from the city to the lakeshore, along the canal and along the industry, through an area with mixed industry and retail functions, people are invited to take a look, or for example to take part in an upcycling workshop. The new Amstel business district is closely connected to the Amsterdam Zuid business district by metro. It offers a new business environment that is specialised in the circularity of, among other things, concrete. It will attract people from all around the world who come to develop knowledge on circularity. Also the renaturalised riverbanks can be upscaled to regional significance. The wetland park next to Rijnbuurt is just the starting point of the development of a regional ecological zone along the river Amstel, towards Amstelveen.
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‘Re’value the City
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‘Re’-making of the Tanthof neighbourhood Location :
Tanthof, Netherlands
Tanthof is situated on the southern side of Delft and shares borders with Midden-Delfland outlying area. This area has two parts : Tanthof East and Tanthof West both along either side of Abtswoude, originally a reclamation road with farms. Primarily, Tanthof is a residential area with both east and west having their own shopping centers and primary school clusters. Tanthof East and Tanthof West distinguish themselves from each other by the difference in building style and is based on the woonerf concept. One of the most important characteristics of Tanthof is the east-west running green strips, which are planned in such a way that each house is located within a distance of no more than 120 meters from the greenery. All green areas will end up at the Abtswoudsepark. This project focuses on the ‘re’-making of the Tanthof neighbourhood. The designs have been made by focusing on future trends. The proposal is such that the neighbourhood can be given more value so that it can host more housing, a school and social activities.
Why reinforce this neighbourhood ? •To support the ambition of Delft to increase housing by 30% and job opportunity by 19%. •City needs to grow but no more sprawl. •Idea of building inside the city. •There is greater demand for an urban living environment than currently available. •Increasing the quality of neighbourhood to make it more sustainable, suitable and attractive for living. •Tanthof is doing well but there is a decline.
Delft
TUD campus
Tanthof
Scheidam
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Center for Tanthof
Vision for Delft
Strategic Vision
Providing such a center where growth is possible. Tanthof will become more favourable for the youth. Housing opportunities will flourish in Tanthof and Delft can densify.
A center for Tanthof that can bring together various social groups, connect East and West ,create economic opportunities and have quality public spaces.
Economical activity
Urban housing
Center for Tanthof Social involvement
Responding to trends
Target groups
•Social facilities for youth and elderly •School relocation to form a center for education •Providing economy and job opportunities •Sustainable development of the area
•Children •Parents • Youth • Elder people • Immigrants
Channels
Link
Programs •School and playground •Mixed use development •community center •library •public park •space for popup market •eco spots
Aim of the project : Provide spaces for social interaction through facilities like community center, public park, school and urban farm. These functions will ensure that the area will remain active. Flexible spaces can act as buffer area that can respond to changes like more parking demand, act as open retail or left as eco spots.
School
Quality
Blue grid
Retail
Community center
Function Open
Green grid
Educational center
Park
Urban farm
Flexibility | 8
school
school
retail
school
2020
retail
retail
public park
co-working space community center public park
2030
parking housing
public park
flexible space
community center
parking
housing
2050
So, as stated before the main aim of the project is to create a social center for Tanthof. School is placed in an area where there is access via road, so that parents can drop their children. The vacant strip of land on the southern end, is favourable for providing parking facilities. The school is also situated away from the tram and bus lane for safety purpose. The landscape zone is done as an extension from the southern landscape. Phases of development
exisiting residences
retail + housing
market area
water buffer area
Before school
community center + workspace stepped seating
water retention
bus + tram link
Library, community center and public park acts as an activity generator for both youth and elderly. Retail and housing located close to each other, with close proximity to the public transport helps residents to easily access the center. Urban farm is a way of utilising the barren land within the loop, which can be used by residents, involve immigrants in the area and promote interaction.
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Decoding the Vector of Energy Poverty Understanding the components of energy systems in the urban-rural context of NCR, India Location :
National Capital Region, India Master’s Graduation Project
Energy poverty means the lack of access to proper electricity and clean energy fuels. This type of poverty is closely linked to the dichotomy between developed and developing regions. This project argues that tackling energy poverty first needs to be addressed by understanding energy injustice between the urban and rural areas of developing countries. This outlook is significant because energy poverty can be seen as a vector of resource availability, power and spatial needs which is similar to the ideology of the ‘poverty vector’. The lack of such a cohesive perspective has led to the ongoing negative impacts on economic development, health and access to basic amenities. The project sheds light on the need for a holistic approach to implement resilient energy networks that emphasises on renewable energy transition and spatial development to address energy poverty. By taking the case of the National Capital Region of India, the project aims to bridge the knowledge gap that exists in creating resilient energy networks in areas that does not have 24x7 access to energy. Keywords: Energy poverty, urban-rural divide, renewable energy transition, scenario planning.
National scale
Regional scale
Transect scale
Local scale
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Resource Component
// Methodology
ds lN ee Sp at ia
Three separate components of energy poverty.
Policy Component
Co m po ne nt
Energy Poverty
The approach in this project is by considering the point of energy poverty as a null point, gives the project direction in looking for ways to move away from it. And reimagine a point in space, that would be an intersection between resource, space and policy. And this point would be achieved by basing the methods used on the theoretical underpinnings.
| Energy Vulnerability
HDI and MPI Vulnerable areas High HDI; Low MPI
Households with energy access sub-regions of NCR 100%
Low HDI; High MPI Medium HDI; Medium MPI
80-100% 60-80% 40-60%
| Spatial analysis
Vector diagram depicting the method of approaching the problem of energy poverty.
Economic
Ecological
Linking the three components of energy poverty.
Social
1. 100% Centralised Non-renewable energy system 2. 100% Centralised Renewable energy system 3. 100% Decentralised Renewable energy system
The method of scenario planning is used to imagine plausible ways of implementing different energy systems to meet the energy demands and alleviating energy poverty. This strategic planning method is useful in this project to imagine ways in which the energy system can be implemented in a just manner. Every scenario is based on a time frame and here, the projections are made for the year 2051. Since the project has a research by design approach, the scenarios are mapped out and through impact assessment of all scenarios, a comparitive analysis is done. It is based on this analysis that a conclusion that drives the formulation of vision and strategies are made.
Population density; Persons/km2 >2001
Level of urbanisation >90% 70-90% 50-70% 30-50%
1501-2000 1001-1500 501-1000 <500
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Setting up open source rural incubators: Empowering the rural areas
Rethinking “vs energy” as “and energy”: Crossfunctional uses with technology
// Vision “ To have an interlinked network of rural incubators, that has a reciprocal relationship with urban areas and is supported by wellconnected transit lines and promotes knowledge exchange to have a just renewable energy transition in the National Capital Region, India. ” Goal 1: Proper community organisations are set up in urban and rural areas. Biennales and training camps are conducted in Local Area Planning and RE transition. Urban buildings start to become a source of energy generation.
Shifting the role of dense urban areas: creating an urban source
Setting up open source rural incubators: Empowering the rural areas
Shifting the role of dense urban areas: creating an urban source
Extending transit lines to improve urban-rural connectivity
Strengthening transit support : improving urbanrural connec`tivity
Rural incubator Urban source
Goal 2: Urban centers are consistant producers of energy. Rural areas are setting up decentralised grids. Infrastructure lines connecting the rural and urban areas are built. Goal 3: Surplus energy is used to fuel energy intensive industries in the region. Economic zones start to form in the rural areas with exchange of knowledge and resources between the urban-rural systems and amongst rural areas as well.
Improved connections between urban & rural Primary infrastructure lines Railway lines Energy production lines Biomass plants Green zones Built up area
Rethinking 'vs energy' as 'and energy' : Crossfunctional uses with technology
Layers showing the 4 strategies
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Builtup linked to solar Expansion area
// Exemplary project Urban area at Gurgaon
Built up Economic zones Industrial areas Green areas Agricultural area Green Belt Primary roads Railway lines Metro line
Ecological
Social
3 Phases of urban development From 2021 to 2051
Economic
Impact Assessment
Legend --ve : A very negative change and embodies no values of sustainability or circular economy, creating a longlasting chain of negative events -ve : A negative change to the existing status quo but embodies one aspect of sustainability or circular economy 0
: Has no impact on the existing status quo
+ve : A positive change to the existing status quo and embodies one aspect of circular economy or sustainability ++ve : A very positive change and embodies multiple aspects of sustainability or circular economy.
The urban areas have higher energy demand, and as the population continues to grow, it is important to create awareness towards a more responsible societal development. Changing the attitude of people and bringing communities together are high in the priority order of phasing. The next strategy in line is improving connectivity between the urban and rural areas. This allows for more people to commute as well as promotes increased accessibility and ease of motion. When looking at the regional scale, with all urban areas developing in a sustainable manner, surplus energy can be used when there are energy fluctuations or during the maintenance period of the energy sources.
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Urbanised areas are major consumers of energy and looking at the present situation it is evident that the renewable energy mix is much lower in the energy supplied to the urban areas. The phasing out of fossil-based thermal power is required to facilitate production based on renewables. Providing the ‘city folk’ with incentives to quickly start the transition and along with incorporating more jobs that can be filled by workgroups from rural areas is the beginning of a dialogue between the urban and rural systems. The rural areas must be given a chance to develop to maximise their potential. A developing rural system will also encourage varying economic activities that will in turn uplift the human development in the region.
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Preserving Roots Urban design of coastal areas of Veli, India Location :
Kerala, India
Coasts have been centres of intense human activity. Being a transition zone between land and sea, coasts have dynamic characteristics that conflict and compliment one another. Veli is one of the tourist destinations of Trivandrum, India and it has seen new developments and infrastructure that has helped boost the image of the place. However, these developments do not meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Veli. A detailed study on the ecology, economic activity, culture, infrastructure and the built environment was conducted. Based on the studies conducted proposals for small architectural interventions were made in the area that would help improve the living conditions of the people. The project focuses on an area at the heart of Veli, that held the Madhavapuram community of Veli. A study was conducted on the specific life of the Madhavapuram area and the fishing colony. By understanding their daily life and limitations, this was an opportunity to propose a model that can be replicated in other fishing community areas.
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The biggest goal of the project was to take advantage of the context and make the surroundings of the market a great place to walk. A mixed space that a settlement of such character requires. The idea of mixing uses suggests that the area shall always be filled with various activities. The section below shows the cultural area of the market space. The market is meant to be the center for people of Veli.
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5 I had the privilege of working for Starling Structures, Hague in an assistant urban designer role, where I acquired professional skills in research, project planning and development. While employed there, I assisted with working on visions and proposals for developments in the cities of Hague, Buitenkaag and Purmerend in the Netherlands.
Other works
samples of works - involvement during previous experiences
// Opportunities at Henrifaas | 19
During my internship with X-Architects, Dubai, I was able to work on residential and urban design projects. One particular project was to work on a regulatory document for the government of Sharjah. The document was to be used as a guidline for future and exisiting development. The aim of the document was to improve the public realm and also to provide a better city image.
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Thank you Lakshmi Baiju email: lakshmibaiju95@gmail.com linkedin: lakshmibaiju Delft, The Netherlands