I’m Anushri, a passionate landscape designer fueled by creativity, curiosity, and a deep respect for the nature. My journey from an eager intern to leading design projects has shaped the way I approach design with adaptability, resilience, and purpose. As a landscape architect, I believe we have a unique responsibility to care for nature while creating environments that respond to the challenges of our time, especially climate change. I strive working towards a better future for the planet, fostering sustainable communities that thrive for generations to come. Sustainability is not just a design choice for me. It’s a way of thinking, creating, and living that guides everything I do.
Languages
English professional proficiency
Italian intermediate
German beginner
Marathi native
Sanskrit intermediate
Software
AutoCAD
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Indesign
Autodesk Revit
Rhino 3D
Enscape
Vray
Qgis
Model-making
Content Writing
Hand and Digital Sketching
Achievements
Scholarship
Politecnico Di Milano Merit Scholarship Erasmus Mobility
Distinction
Bachelor of Architecture
Top 5 Finalists
Computation in Landscape Design. ITECH, Stuttgart, Germany
Nomination
Charles Chorrea Foundation - Z-Axis
You and Your Neighbourhood design
Anushri Umesh Mali anushriumesh.mali@mail.polimi.it
Experience
2024
Foglab Studio Piacenza | Urban Design Intern: Designed mobility network linking Milan to industrial zones, aligning with existing agricultural and water infrastructure. Proposal envisions a city that is ever-expanding, sustainable and inclusive.
University of Stuttgart / Student Work - Project Visualisation
2022
Studio Blending Opposite,Pune, India | Architect: Executed rammed earth construction technique for development of a coastal residential projects, alongside research and development of adobe, cob, and mud-based materials.
Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, India | Reserach Fellow: Contributed to urban policy review reports regarding local housing by-laws to promote construction of passive solar heated houses in cold and arid regions.
Auroville Earth Institute | Volunteer: Intensive hands on workshop on earth construction techniques with a focus on compressed stabilized earth blocks.
2020 - 2021
Barefoot Landscapes, Pune, India/ Landscape Intern Architect: Detailed construction Drawings, on-site project management across multiple landscape projects.
Msc. Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research Grade - 1.7 German Grading System - Exchange Semester
2016- 2020
Aayojan School of Architecture, Pune University, India
Bachlore in Architecture Cgpa 9.2
Contents
Porto Verde Rust & Roots
Urban & Environmental Design
Studio Re-integrating the Landscapes by Connecting Industrial and Environmental Systems of Piacenza, Italy
Urban & Landscape Regeneration
Studio Landscape regeneration of Porto di Mare as a key link in Milan’s green belt, integrating historical heritage and ecological connectivity for urban futures of Milan, Italy.
03
Playmorph
Reclaimed timber is shaped into adaptive park play feature through innovative form-finding algorithms.
Comuptation in Landscape Design
04
Solar Futures
Mainstream Passive Solar Heated buildings in Ladakh for Carbon Neutral future
Research Internship
01 Rust and Roots
Bridging Industry and Environmental Systems by Reintegrating the landscape
Piacenza, Italy
Abstract
The Project seeks to initiate actions that allow the industry in Piacenza to coexist with its natural surroundings and the agricultural activities that define its character as a city. “Re-integrating the landscape” means seeking a balance between industry, nature, humans and agriculture, by using possible expansion spaces, unused or abandoned, and integrate industrial, agricultural, and natural landscapes through them, while providing network of open public spaces.
The cascinas – traces of the agricultural heritage within the industrial area, reinterpreted with contemporary uses for current workers and citizens of the area.
POLIMI | Semester 2 | Group Project
My Role: Concept, Design Development, Graphics
Project Mentors: Prof. Christiana Mattioli (PhD), Prof. Fontana Giovana
Educational Cascina, Industrial Access and Worker Mobility, Productive Tree Plantations
Industrial Settlements | Typology
Mind Map | Problems and Strategies
Aim of the Project | Focus
1. Interventions inside agricultural territory surrounded by ecological corridors of the Nure Stream and Po river, focusing on preserving biodiversity.
2. An intermediate space (buffer) between the industry and agricultural space, connecting the identified landscapes, focusing on environmental issues.
3. A network of public and green spaces in industrial area, focusing on providing quality public spaces for workers and citizens.
Mind Map | Synthesis
Heritage | Agricultural Landscape
Our project adopts the main strategy of leveraging the features of the surrounding nature as a solution to the main problems in Piacenza’s industrial area. Important part of the strategy are focal points in this network of open public spaces, the cascinas – traces of the agricultural heritage within the industrial area, reinterpreted with contemporary uses for current workers and citizens of the area. A dedicated bike path enhances proximity between industrial zones and residential settlements, weaving the park into everyday life.
Fostering Well-being for Residents Across Industrial and Adjacent Areas
Design Interventions | Guidelines
Pocket forest, Tree Rows and Hedges
Preservation of landscape between rivers and industries
Temporary green areas Preverdisment
Industries integrated with greens Preverdisment
Increasing green with Vacant areas
Accessible Services for Industrial Workforce and neighbourhood
Air Quality Buffer along the highway
Riparian corridor Trees, Shrublands and ponds
Bio-energy plantation
Project Development - 3 Main Interventions
1. Agri-Park | Ecological network and Green Buffer
Focus is creating the balance between the city, industry, agriculture, and the ecological corridor. The project is also divided into three phases, starting with interventions within the city and gradually expanding towards the main ecological corridor of the Nure over time
2. Landscape Park | Green Buffer
The landscape park envisions a seamless integration between urban life, industrial heritage, and ecological well-being. Through a repurposed cascina, visitors transition from the urban core to a vibrant green park that intersects with the EuroVelo international cycling network. The cascina becomes a social and productive anchor with open picnic spots, public areas, and research units that inform communities about advanced agricultural technologies.
Adaptive Reuse, Industrial heritage, Green Parkings, Connection to PO river, Residual Space Greening
Service Boulevard | Green and Services Connections
Along Via Caorsana, the service boulevard evolves into a linear park designed with rain gardens, bioswales, and green parking to capture runoff, reduce flood risk, and cool the surroundings. These nature-based solutions reduce the urban heat island effect while providing shaded, welcoming resting zones for workers and drivers. The integration of water, vegetation, and public space transforms this infrastructure corridor into a resilient and human-centered urban landscape.
Rain Gardens, Service Boulevard for Industrial Access and Worker Mobility, Bio-swales
02 Porto Verde
Regenerating Landscapes by strengthening
Milan’s Green Belt Connectivity
Piacenza, Italy
Abstract
Porto di Mare is envisioned as a vital link in Milan’s green belt on the city’s suburban edge, forming a distinct threshold between urban density and rural openness. This proximity of nature to the city centre is a powerful asset for 21st-century urbanism, offering both ecological value and social potential. The project embraces this opportunity to regenerate the landscape while respecting its layered historical identity. Once a peripheral gateway, Porto di Mare becomes a contemporary commons reconnecting fragmented green spaces, revitalizing cultural memory, and supporting biodiversity. Through careful restoration and adaptive reuse, the area transforms into a resilient landscape that acts as a buffer, a connector, and a catalyst for future development.
POLIMI | Semester 2 | Group Project
My Role: Design Development, Graphics, Details
Project Mentors: Prof. Paolo Debiaggi, Prof. Paola Branduini
Master Plan | Porto di Mare
1. Entry From Metro
2. Wetland
3. Buffer Zone
4. Eco-corridor
5. Pavillion
Rain Gardens, Service Boulevard for Industrial Access and Worker Mobility, Bio-swales
1. Entry to Site
2. Wetland
3. Buffer Zone
4. Eco-corridor
5. Pavillion
Wetland Revatalisation | Ecological network and Green Buffer
Reactivating cascina Nosedo | Community Education and Engagement towards common goals
03 Playmorph
Computation in Landscape blending Structural Efficiency and Dynamic Functionality
ITECH Stuttgart, Germany
Abstract
This project reimagines public space as an interactive playground, blending structural efficiency with dynamic functionality.
The result is a digitally informed, adaptive play environment that encourages free exploration, imaginative interaction, and community gathering, highlighting the potential of performance-based design in playful public spaces.
Thoughtful material selection emphasizing reclaimed timber ensures durability and visual appeal, while adaptive forms stimulate exploration and sensory engagement.
Uni-Stuttgart | Semester 3 | Group Project
My Role: Geometry Optimisation, Graphics, Python
Project Mentors: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jan Knippers
climbing Part sliding part hanging play elements
base plane defination anchor points relaxation on form
Different strength value variations to achieve desired form
Structural Analysis and Optimisation - Karamba
3D
A wooden waffle grid framework, composed of interlocking ribs and planar wooden panels, creates an engaging environment for climbing, sliding, and imaginative play. Using computational methodologies, the design is optimized for stability and material efficiency through dynamic relaxation and subdivision techniques.
public park slide hanging tires climbing surface keplerstraße
04 Solar Futures
Harnessing Tradition and Innovation for Thermal Comfort in the Himalayas
HIAL, INDIA
Abstract
The project focuses towards the construction of passive solar heated (PSH) buildings at HIAL campus. Main focus is on Decreasing the heat loss through insulation using Straw-clay bricks, Pashmina wool by-product, thermo-col sheets, shredded thermocol.
Local materials such as Basgo clay, soil from Taru village and Markalak, are tested, experimented with for use in construction.
The innovations in this technique have been phenomenal with buildings that stay at +15 °C Inside even when it is -15 °C outside in winters
Research Internship
My Role: Research, Graphics, Technical Drawings
Project Lead: Env. Sonam Wangchuk
Passive Solar Heating, Earthen local construction materials, Decreasing the heat loss
Ladakhi Solar Wall | Trombe wall construction
Initially one foot high Trombe wall is constructed and the rest is built later with other shuttering. In pictures, the wooden- reusable shuttering has been used. We often refer to the direction of the Earth’s South Pole as the True South or the true solar South.
Wall Finishes
Exterior Wall Finish
The exterior wll finish can be of 2 types
1. With Mud and Straw (20:1) Where straw acts as reinforcement.
2. With Mud, cement and sand. 50% Sandy 5% cement should be used as stabilizer
Texture can be added to the wall finish for better weather durability of cracks.
Using different colours of clay for the external finish helps of external finish.
DADO Finish
DADO finish are the tiles till 7ft in toilets and kitchen)
Cement Plaster upto 3ft high should be added on top of a chicken mesh (Ferrocement) on the external wall for protection against water and possible rodents.
durability and prevention in achieving colour
A mixture of clay and sand can be made and added on top of the mud plaster and can be used in the interior finish to achieve a smoother texture
Clay such as basgo can be added for colour.
“Gubry”
For me, exploring materials especially earth-based ones is like meditation. It is a deeply immersive and reflective process that allows me to connect with the raw essence of architecture.
Through hands-on experimentation, tactile engagement, and intuitive understanding, I discover the unique properties, behaviors, and potential of natural materials. This process not only deepens my knowledge of construction and sustainability but also brings a sense of calm and fulfillment, making it an essential part of my creative journey.
