Landscape Architecture Portfolio by Saumya Shaji

PORTFOLIO

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

SAUMYA SHAJI

ACKNOWLEGEMENT OF COUNTRY

I would like to acknowledge the Aboriginal people of this nation as the Traditional Owners of the land we are on and pay my respects to the Elders past, present and future. I value their unique and deep spiritual connection to this landscape and the ability to care for Country. I respect them sharing the knowledge of cultures and traditional practices in the Australian landscape with us. Their generosity enriches all of us, to become better landscape architects.

ONTENTS

PERSONAL STATEMENT

SKILLS AUDIT

RESUME

PROJECT 1: LISTENING TO THE WETLAND

PROJECT 2: TWEED GROVE MALL

PROJECT 3: SPECTRUM SCHOOL

PROJECT 4: CONNECTING THE CREEK

COLLABORATIVE WORK

PROCESS DRAWINGS

6 7 8-9 10-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28 29 ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. .................................................

PERSONAL STATEMENT

I am Saumya Shaji, a Masters in Landscape Architecture graduate from the University of New South Wales. I previously completed my degree in Architecture from the University of Kerala and gained work experience in the United Arab Emirates and parts of India. I have also completed a few private residential works. My background has helped me develop a multidisciplinary perspective in my approach to landscape architecture.

Having lived in apartments for most of my life, I understand the importance of well-designed public spaces on the health and well-being of the community. Pursuing landscape architecture allowed me to combine my interests in art, nature, and built environments to create memorable spaces that benefit the environment.

my dissertation on “Reciprocal Bamboo Roof Framing: A study on feasibility of the construction”, the urban design proposal for the town of Attingal in Trivandrum, Kerala and my B.Arch. thesis “Spectrum School: A Centre for Autism”.

My strengths include visualising using hand drawings, conducting research and collaborating in group work. These skills enable me to translate concepts into tangible designs.

Looking towards the future, I am eager to contribute to the profession by embracing sustainability, social equity, and innovative design approaches that address global issues like urban sprawl, climate change and population increase. I aim to continue expanding my knowledge and skill set to make an impact in my career as a landscape architect.

PHONE: +61490932595

EMAIL: saumya97shaji@gmail.com

My studies in Australia nurtured a holistic approach as here landscape architecture celebrates nature, cultural heritage and sustainable design while building relations between the people, landscape and environments. Some of my academic achievements include my capstone project “Listening to the Wetland” which was nominated for the Harry Howard prize, the related research “Sound Ecology and Wetland Conservation”,

SAUMYA SHAJI

SKILLS AUDIT

TECHNICAL SKILLS

SOFT SKILLS

SKETCHUP

DIALUX ADVANCED SOUNDPLAN ADVANCED QGIS ADVANCED

MS OFFICE EXPERT

ADVANCED ZOOM ADVANCED

Flexible and Adaptable 07

AUTOCAD EXPERT REVIT INTERMEDIATE RHINO INTERMEDIATE

EXPERT

ADOBE SUITE EXPERT LUMION ADVANCED

TEAMS

Excellent Communication Analytical and Critical Thinking Teamwork Problem-Solving Attention to Detail Dependable and Responsible

EXPERIENCE

Architect Sept. 2020 - July 2021

Mahaveer Patil and Associates | Pune, India

Worked remotely with the company to make drawings for the site and design presentations for the clients.

Key Responsibilities:

- Coordinating and communicating work with site engineers and contractors

- Responsible for guiding interns with the work

Intern Architect

Mahaveer Patil and Associates | Pune, India

Feb. 2020 - June 2020

I participated in all phases of design and construction of residential, commercial and institutional projects.

Intern Architect June 2018 – Dec. 2018

EHAF Consulting Engineers | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Worked in predesign and design phases of residential and commercial projects

LANGUAGES

RESUME EDUCATION

MASTER OF LANDSCAPE

ARCHITECTURE -2022-2024

UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

School of Built Environment, Sydney, Australia

BACHELOR OF ARCHITETURE - 2015-2020

UNIVERSITY OF KERALA

College of Architecture Trivandrum, Kerala, India

HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL - 2015

CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

St. Joseph’s School, Abu Dhabi, UAE

HIGH SCHOOL - 2013

CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

St. Joseph’s School, Abu Dhabi, UAE

ENGLISH MALAYALAM HINDI -Proficient -Native -Fluent 08

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

COMMUNICATION AND TEAMWORK

Hospitality Lead

- Excellent communication skills with customers

- Excellent teamwork and organisational skills

DESIGN PROFICIENCY

Graphic Designer

- Proficiently used Adobe Suite to design

- Active listening and communication with clients

CERTIFICATIONS

RHINO AND GRASSHOPPER Nov. 2019

Parametric Modelling

SKETCHUP Feb. 2018

3D Modelling

REVIT ARCHITECTURE June 2017

Planning and Modeling

LICENCE MEMBERSHIPS

Architect licensed by Coucil Of Architecture (COA), India since June 2021

Member of Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) since 2021.

Member of Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) since 2023.

INTERESTS

Music Reading Painting Movies Sewing

Digital art

PROJECT 1

LISTENING TO THE WETLAND

Capstone Project

Rockdale Wetland Corridor, Sydney

The project focus was on understanding the relationship between landscape systems and urban settlements, and using this knowledge to plan and design landscapes as integral components of city and metropolitan systems.

The chosen project site is the Equestrian Park within the Rockdale Wetland Corridor, located in the Bayside Council LGA, approximately 8km southwest of the Sydney CBD. The site is a very narrow struggling corridor with patches of salt-marshes presenting challenges in terms of accessibility to site and consevation of ecological community.

My design aims to restore the vegetation of the Bangalay Sands Forest, reinstating its presence to the pre-clearing state and catering to the diminishing ecological community through constant soundscape monitoring. By incorporating small-scale rewilding approaches, the project aims to enhance regional biodiversity habitats within the corridor at the hotspot site of Equestrian Park. In addition I explored the opportunity of expanding the east-west connection of the project to form a neighbourhood of creeks.

THE SITE

Location of the site in context of RWC.

SITE

TERRAIN ANALYSIS:

The

Underappreciated by community

Undermaintained creek

Gathering spaces underutilized

The site located in the Sans Souci catchment has the Bado Berong creek flowing through it.

OBSERVATIONS: KEY PLAN:

SITE PLAN:

Towards Scott Park and Botany Bay Towards Dolls Point Beach Towards Bona Park FENCED CREEK The creek at this end is fenced off from human interference thus the biodiversity is undisturbed. Eels and water birds are spotted here. GRIFFITHS STREET END Vegetated Edge provides plenty shade at site PARKSIDE DRIVE The driveway has a good view of mature trees and birds attracted there. Undefined open remnant space BACKYARD WETLAND Low density houses around the site rendering the wetland semi private thus not being used. UNATTENDED WETLAND REMNANT Sites like these are used by the waterbirds for nesting RESERVE ENTRANCE AT RUSSEL AVENUE We again get to see feral birds on the ground here Elevation Slope Aspect site low lying with the reserve located in elevation from -2 to 1m. This informs us about the chances of flood in the region. Majority of the site has slope in the direction 178-238o which is the south direction. The slope of the built area comes under 60- 119o which is towards east. The site is relatively flat with a majority of the slope being 1:50.

SITE IN CONTEXT

EQUESTRIAN PARK

This section shows the site neighbourhood.

ROCKDALE WETLAND CORRIDOR

This section shows the change in topography.

30m 22.5m 15m 7.5m 0m -7.5m -15m

1.5km 3km 4.5km 6km 7.5km 9km 10.5km West East

RWC Kamay - Botany Bay George River Rocky Point Rd. View to La Perouse

14m 10.5m 7m 3.5m 0m -3.5m -7m -10.5m 0.2km 0.4km 0.6km 0.8km 1km 1.2km 1.4km

West East

Rocky Point Rd. Goomum Creek Equestrian Park Bado Berong Creek Waradiel Creek

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

PRINCIPLE 1: Conservation and Restoration of The Ecological Community

PRINCIPLE 2: Soundscape Monitoring and Noise Management

PRINCIPLE 3: Community Interaction in Nature Through Education

THE DESIGN

SCALE 1:3000 SCALE 1:1500 SCALE 1:1500 LEGEND: New Street Trees New vegetation cover Viewing deck Salt marsh Mulch Shared path (5m) Bado-berong creek Riparian buffer zone (5-10m) Permeable Concrete Napoleon Street Section AA: Section BB: Pedestrian Bridge Shared Path 0M 0.84M Community Infrastructure Community Garden Salt Marsh 0M 0.84M

A A B B DETAILS: 1 Bio retention zones at crossings 2 Expanded salt marshes 3 Community garden 4 Play areas 5 Community centre 14

VISION: A NEIGHBOURHOOD OF CREEKS

Sans Souci Public School Goomum Duke Park

LEGEND: Cycling Path Cyclist icon Compulsary Acquisition - 20 to 50 y Compulsary Acquisition - 50 to 100 y SCALE 1:5000 RUSSEL AVENUE RUSSEL AVENUE MCMILAN AVENUE SANONI AVENUE DICKEN AVENUE PRIMRODE AVENUE CLAREVILLE AVENUE NAPOLEAN STREET JAMERSON LANE ROCKY POINT ROAD ROCKY POINT ROAD RUSSEL AVENUE EVANS STREET GRIFFITHS STREET TOYER AVENUE IDA STREET IDA STREET

Equestrian Park Green connected streets Depena Reserve

COMMUNITY GARDEN

EXPANDED SALT MARSH

PROJECT 2

TWEED GROVE MALL

Public Realm Project

Tweed Heads, NSW

The studio was exploring scenarios for a major new public space and street upgrade for the site. Tweed Mall occupies a 5 ha site bounded by Wharf Street to the west, Bay Street and Jack Evans Boat Harbour to the north, Francis Street to the south and low rise residential apartments to the east.

The frontage to Jack Evans Boat Harbour provides opportunities for connecting directly with the water’s edge with a redesigned Bay Street. The project was to prepare a plan that shows a new public space structure, character and program.

The design Tweed Grove Mall aims to introduce a fresh urban typology, offering the neighborhood an innovative experience that combines landscape, food, art, and culture. It endeavors to realign and unite the city, ultimately becoming a distinguished landmark. My contribution to the project included planning, 3d modeling and rendering of the project.

THE DESIGN

DESIGN PRINCIPLES:

Ecological Improvement and Development

Active Space TRANSECT: BAY STREET SECTION: MASTER PLAN: Transition from Forest to Urban Plaza 1 1 2 2 3 3 Community Centre Parking, Loading Zones Supermarket Future Connection Future Connection Connection to Wharf Street

STREET BAY STREET The Tweed Grove Mall Plaza is divided in 3 main parts, namely Bay Street - Bioswale Urban Forest Urban Plaza Jack Evans Boat Harbour SCALE 1:1500 SCALE 1:300 SCALE 1:750 19

WHARF

BAY STREET PROGRAM

Bike Parking Sunken Plaza Bioswale Bicycle Lane

SCALE 1:250 20

Outdoor Dining Space

PERSPECTIVES

PLAZA PLAYGROUND

PLAZA URBAN FOREST

PROJECT 3 SPECTRUM SCHOOL

Architecture Thesis Project

Kottayam, Kerala

My project was a center for autistic children to create an enabling environment comprising of learning spaces, rehabilitation center and accommodation. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, delayed and disordered language etc, thus needing early interventions. Environment and its design greatly influence autism thus fields like architecture, landscape and education play major roles so I focused on a behaviour centered design.

The chosen site is a 10 acre plot located near and owned by a church in Kottayam, Kerala. The highlight of the site is that it is on the banks of the Meenachil river and is located in a relatively quiet residential area.

Sensory integration challenges are common amongst individuals of all ages with ASD. The landscape scope in the project included connecting and escape spaces, greenhouse and horticulture ground, and a sensory garden. A garden provides the children with productive and holistic opportunities to be outside and exercise, socialize, learn, nurture their sensory systems, and improve their health.

THE DESIGN

1. Admin And Junior School 2. Senior School 3. Intermediate School 4. Therapy Block 5. Community Block 6. Craft Workshop 7. Greenhouse 8. Cafe Block 9. Hostel 10. Service Block TRANSECT: MASTER PLAN:

INDOOR - OUTDOOR RELATION: Future Expansion Craft Workshop Community Block Senior School Admin and Junior School Hostel

DESIGN PRINCIPLES:

SCALE 1:1500 SCALE 1:750 23

MULTI SENSORY GARDEN

The sensory garden stimulates all senses: sight, touch, taste, and sound, all through the use of different plants and materials. Early intervention is important for autistic children, and a sensory garden allows children to explore their senses without feeling overwhelmed by them.

SCALE 1:300

Colour Tiles Cycle Parking Cycle Parking Shadow play zone Texture maze Texture path Bamboo Music Tubes Pedestrian Bridge Open Air Theatre Framed Walkway Music Centre Wind Chimes Spiral Cycle Track Walkway Mirror Maze Small Fountain ENTRY ENTRY ENTRY ENTRY ENTRY ENTRY 1 Visual Garden Elements: colour tiles, various colour flowers, mirror maze 2 Aroma Garden Elements: flowers with coplementary scents 3 Sound Garden Elements: bamboo tubes, wind chimes, water fountain, pipes and other instruments 4 Touch Garden Elements: texture walls, texture tiles, leaves and flowers with varying textures 5 Taste Garden Elements: fruit trees, bushes with edible berries 24

MODEL

PROJECT 4

CONNECTING THE CREEK

Constructed Ecologies Project

Salt Pan Creek, Sydney

The studio followed an ecological approach to landscape design, exploring various constructed ecologies such as urban parks, constructed wetlands, green infrastructure, urban forests, and green roofs and walls.

The project focused on proposing spatial regeneration for the Salt Pan Creek catchment in Bankstown City Council, Canterbury Bankstown LGA, Sydney. The study area including the creek was divided into 18 sites among the students.

My site number 9 is at a location where the main focus is connections to the creek. In the design proposal I have introduced a detention pond to aid the flooding problem upstream and green parking as part of the WSUD intervention. had also contributed to the project by coordinating the class model.

DESIGN STRATEGIES:

RECONNECTING: Fixing the existing broken bridge DEFINED SEPARATE CYCLE PATHS WSUD FOR SITE: Green Parking Detention Pond GREEN FENCE: This is to improve privacy for the houses and reduce vandalism. NIGHT LIGHTING THAT IS SAFE FOR THE WILDLIFE DEFINED ENTRY POINTS TO THE SITE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 Site #9 Ruse Park Entry Marshall St. Entry De Witt St. Entry SPC SITE SITE OBSERVATIONS: SITE LOCATION WITHIN THE SPC CATCHMENT:

The

broken bridge interferes with the continuity of the walking and cycling path

THE SITE

Vandalised privacy screens deeming the path less aesthetic

THE DESIGN

SITE 9 PLAN:

The 6 strategies have been executed for various zones of the site

PEDESTRIAN PATH

NEW PEDESTRIAN PATH

SITE OBSERVATIONS:

De Witt Street Marshall Street Ruse Park Stadium Defined entry and green parking Scrapyard converted to a detention pond

SCALE 1:1000 28

SITE NUMBER 9

CLASS MODEL COMBINED

MODEL

COLLABORATIVE WORK

I was able to participate in a collaborative community engagement project in Coffs Harbour for our outreach studio. This opportunity allowed us to interact directly with local residents and planners, gaining valuable insights for designing safer streets. Working within a diverse team, I was involved with the event management and presentation for the workshop.

This experience added to my skills in teamwork, research, and communication as well as contributed to making informed decisions for enhancing community well-being .

I was part of the Sydney Urban Lab studio, led by WOHA Architects. This was an interdisciplinary studio with students from architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, city planning and computational design.

The studio focused on a site within a 1km radius, encompassing UNSW campus, Royal Randwick Racecourse, and low and medium-density suburban housing. This experience provided an opportunity to work with industry leaders and develop innovative proposals for sustainable urban transformation.