Background

Skilled in developing realistic and imaginative design solutions for

buildings, settlements and sub-regions. Academic and professional background in architecture, urban design and planning. 20 plus years of professional experience in public and private sector projects in multi-disciplinary environments. Sustainability and identity through design –whilst addressing economic, social and environmental realities, have underpinned a holistic approach to place making. Contributed to design of new settlements, urban extensions, town centre revitalization/ regeneration schemes, mixed use developments, residential layouts, EWS housing, urban roads, streetscapes, design codes, parks, markets, control centres, mobility hubs, varied building typologies, etc. Skills include ability to prepare contextual analysis, programme briefs, conceptual and detailed design, lead design teams, engage stakeholders, etc. In brief below are the academic underpinnings followed by a description of sample projects. Architecture

Designed a small portfolio of new build and retrofitted architectural works, including residential, educational, cultural, commercial, hospital and mixed use buildings in Kochi and Bangalore, India. Undergraduate B.Arch thesis, set within 1990s Kerala, was a critique of current day holiday resort typology and aimed to substantiate the existing phenomena through a counter proposal. The design solution, set within a live project, was a sensitive response to the environmental and cultural context of the site.

Urban Design

MA in Urban Design (2001) dissertation, Extending and Implementing Responsive Environments under Prof. Ian Bentley at Joint Centre for Urban Design, (OBU, UK), provided the theoretical framework for subsequent UD related professional practice. The patterns of good urban design and respective indicators for small urban settlements played a defining role later (2015-2017) shaping the patterns of good design in the IIA Cochin Centre’s urbanism related Living Monsoon publication. The latter had been a documentation of works by select design and planning practitioners in tropical monsoon regions across the world.

Spatial Planning

Urban design projects in the UK were set within a larger planning context. At David Lock Associates (UK) these fed directly into ongoing sub regional plan proposals. For example, the Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and Thrapston projects were part of a larger sub- regional strategy for North Northamptonshire. The part-time MSc in Spatial Planning undertaken at this time provided a critical understanding of national, regional and sub-regional planning context and its influence on urban design issues. The dissertation ‘Impact of built form in new settlements in the UK’ evaluated some of the new settlements existing (2008), such as Welwyn, Cambourne, South Woodham Ferrers, etc and their socio-environmental impacts. Environmental Assessment

Specialism in EA (MSc in Spatial Planning) stemmed from a concern for built environment’s impact on the fragile environmental systems we inhabit. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) are an integral part of large scale master plans and urban design projects, including that of various other policies, plans, programmes and projects in the UK. The course work involved reviewing the environmental statements of urban extensions in UK; preparing a draft Environmental Statement (group work) for a hypothetical extension to a small wind farm in Oxfordshire, UK. Finally, evaluating the extent to which urban design issues are addressed and monitored through SEAs and Sustainability Appraisals of Core Strategies in Local Development Framework in UK, and giving recommendations.

Nationality: Indian

DOB: 10 Dec 1975

Contact Details:

Abhishek Xavier

No. 18/1585

M.N.Thacho Road

Thoppumpady

Kochi - 682005

Kerala, India

E: abhishekxavier

@gmail.com

M: +91 (0-954*******

https://

abhishekxavier9.wixsite.

com/projects

Academic qualify.:

2007 -’09 MSc in Spatial

Planning (part-time),

Oxford Brookes, UK

2000 -’02 MA in Urban

Design, Oxford Brookes

University, UK

1993 -‘00 B Arch, B’lore

Institute of Tech. India

Professional Exp.:

Jan’21 - current: - -

Consultant: Architect/

Urban Design/ Urban

Planning

Jan’18 -Dec’21: UD

Expert, IPE Global, Kochi

Mar’17 - June’17 -

Dec’17 HoD/ Principal,

KMEA COA, Aluva

2015 –’17, (PT) Assoc

Prof. KMEA COA

July’13 - Dec’17

Consultant: Architect,

UD & Planner

2014, (PT) Asst. Prof.

CAT, Trivandrum, India

Dec’11 - July ‘13, UD &

Planner, AECOM, India

Jun’10 - July’11, Sen. UD,

Focus Design, UK

Apr’07 - Nov’09, Sen. UD

David Lock Assoc., UK

Dec’02 - Mar’07, UD,

Terence O’Rourke, UK

Prior to 2002: Worked in

independent

Architectural and

Landscape firms in

Oxford, B’lore, Kochi

Professional

memberships:

-Member: CoA, IIA: India

-Assoc. Member: IUDI,

India

-Licentiate Member,

RTPI, UK

Language Proficiency:

English, Malayalam

(basic Hindi)

Hobbies:

Reading, films,

travelling, socialising,

squash, badminton

Abhishek Xavier

Curriculum Vitae

-1-

Vyttila Mobility Hub, Kochi, India: the multi-modal hub project, set within 27 acres in the heart of city, proposed integration of various transportation modes to facilitate a modal shift from high car usage to public transportation. Conceived as first of a kind in India it proposed integration of rapid transit metro, water metro, city and regional buses, cars, auto-rickshaws, cycles and pedestrians. Also included for commuter convenience were commercial uses, small hotel, multi-purpose halls, recreational and leisure spaces with a built up area totalling 1,07,000 sqm. Set within a landscaped environment, including plazas and parks, the emphasis was on the quality of pedestrian experience, including walk-ability and safety. Ernakulam Market Redevelopment, Kochi, India: conceived as part of densification and urban revitalization proposed under Kochi Smart City’s area based development. The existing single storied market comprising of more than 215 stall owners on an 1.6 acre site was proposed to be converted into basement plus ground plus three floors 20,000 sqm floor area of market related use. The century old Market faced issues of poor infrastructure, inadequate floor space, unhealthy hygienic conditions, pedestrian vehicle conflict, etc. The existing stall owners were shifted to the nearby 1,25 acre rehabilitation site designed and fitted with temporary stalls. Ground works for the market building project have begun.

Exhibition and Convention Center (ECC), New Delhi, India: the Prime Ministers Office of India was keen to develop a world class ECC in Delhi, India that could potentailly be linked to the DMIC State- Sponsored Project and funded through private-public partnership and foreign investment. Role involved evaluating internationally well known ECC examples, reviewed viability of the proposed sites in Delhi and provided design directions for the development of ECC. The study covered various aspects such as connectivity within regional and sub-regional contexts, facilities offered, spatial requirements, development phasing, etc.

EWS Housing, Thuruthy, Mattancherry, India: two types of projects were conceived separately economically weaker section

(EWS) housing . A low rise row house and small apartments on already plotted development and a ground plus 13 ground plus 13 floor project conceived by Kochi Municipal Corporation under the Rajiv Awas Yojana project (later under PMAY scheme) in Mattancherry. The latter was taken forward with a total of units is 195 dwelling units. Tasks involved preparation of architectural drawings, architectural specifications for tender documents, applications for building permit, CRZ mapping, stakeholder consultations and steering of project with the contractor. Project is currently under execution.

Township Development, Bangalore, India: contributed to concept masterplan preparation for a 150 acre township development close to the international airport in Bangalore, India. Proposed as a mixed use development including hi-tech, retail, and commercial uses, high and low rise residential, convention center, hospital, school and a club. The design aimed to balance a global site FAR of 4 with high quality open spaces - such as central and neighbourhood parks, mixed use streets and plazas. Design concepts were drawn from around the world and applied to develop site specific solutions. Proposed Golf Community, Chennai, India: developed concept masterplan and land use budget for a high end Golf community near Chennai. Proposal integrated the golf course with a mix of low, mid and high rise residential and commercial development and integrated with an adjoining industrial and IT park. The solution took into consideration the prevalent flooding issues and integrated it with golf course’s water features. Special attention was given to maximising residential frontage of the value enhancing golf course – using housing clusters that reflected this and tiered building heights. a workshop.

Client: Kochi Metro Rail

Ltd (2018 –19)

Project Cost: INR 572

Cr; Area: 26 acres

Final output: Detailed

Project Report,

Stakeholder

presentations including

Chief Minister of Kerala

Client: Cochin Smart

Mission Ltd (2018 –21)

Project Cost: INR 72 Cr;

Rehabilitaion project:

INR 5 Cr,

Final output: Feasibility

Report, Detailed Project

Report, stakeholder

consultations, tender

documents, site

supervision

Client: Delhi Mumbai

Industrial Corridor

Development

Corporation (2013)

Final output: Report,

Powerpoint Presentation

Client: Cochin Smart

Mission Ltd (2018 –21)

Project Cost: High rise

devt. INR 42 Cr;

Final output: Detailed

Project Report,

stakeholder

consultations, tender

documents, site

supervision

Client: Century Group,

Bangalore (2012-13)

Final output: Report,

Powerpoint Presentation

Client: Ascendas,

Chennai (2012-13)

Final output:

Powerpoint Presentation

Project samples:

https://

abhishekxavier9.wixsite.

com/projects

-2-

Open Space Corridor from DH Ground to Mangalavanam, Kochi, India (2018—21): in a city where water bodies comprise about 20% of the land area with very limited recreational waterfront developments. Within this context streetscape beautification of 2.4 km Marine Drive waterfront walkway was proposed as part of the open space corridor linking two significant open spaces. This corridor is amongst the most important tourist attraction of Ernakulam mainland. The treated water from an adjoining STP was utilized for watering the landscape. A three year maintenance period was included into the project. The project has been implemented. A separate project, Marina at Marine Drive, which remains at concept stage is the proposed revitalization of waterside in tandem with the above project. The existing boat jetties are haphazardly arranged and dangerous to use for the tourist who flock here for backwater cruises. The proposal aimed to create a series of attractions such as moored historic ships, recreational piers with cafes and restaurants, light and sound areas, marinas and incorporated the water metro terminal by Kochi Metro.

Smart Roads, Kochi, India: Project included proposals for 8km of Smart Roads in areas of Fort Kochi and Ernakulam – land parcels separated by a large estuary in the coastal city of Kochi. Work involved creation of footpaths and streetscape works, carriageway rationalization, cycle lanes, bus bays, undergrounding of electrical lines, stormwater drainage, decorative street lighting, road signage, design of junctions. Challenges included addressing issues of high vehicle density, limited right of way, high water table, etc Execution of most roads, such as Shanmugham Road and Abraham Madamakkal Road, have been completed.

NMT Roads, Kochi, India: project included proposals for about 45 km of non-motorised transportation roads in the areas of Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Ernakulam. Work involved carriageway rationalization, creation of footpaths, road signage, aerial bunching of electrical lines, stormwater drainage, street lighting. Execution of most roads has been completed. Specific streets, were developed under thematic concepts of cultural corridor, pedestrian streets and tourist circuit. One of them, Synagogue Lane in Mattancherry, was implemented and the others are in DPR and concept stage. Public spaces in historic precincts, Kochi, India : some of the historic precincts within Fort Kochi and Mattancherry were evaluated to identify key areas of touristic value which could be developed as pilot projects. Disconnected parcels of land and traffic dominated roads were proposed to be integrated and beautified to create walkways with seaside views, areas for outdoor performances, urban plazas, etc. Works undertaken have primarily been streetscape, lighting and landscaping works. The projects, such as upgradation of Vasco Square and entrance to Synagogue Lane have been completed.

Beautification of Parks: some of the existing parks in West Kochi were in misuse and lay in disrepair . These were evaluated to identify key issues and redevelopment proposals were prepared. For example, Eraveli park’s high compound walls were replaced by bollards to ensure surveillance from the wider community. Wire mesh fencing was provided at bollard height to keep goats and stray dogs away. Soft and hardscape works were undertaken and mature trees were trimmed. Gym and play equipment were provided to cater to wider user groups. The park was integrated with surrounding areas through pilot projects on a government run day care centre and a couple of streets to revitalize the area and make it conducive for vulnerable age groups.

Client: Cochin Smart

Mission Ltd (2018 –21)

Project Cost: INR 9.5

Cr;

Length: 2.4 km

Final output: Feasibility

Report, DPR, Tender

doc, Presentations,

Stakeholder

engagement, Work

supervision

Client: Cochin Smart

Mission Ltd (2018 –21)

Project Cost: INR 90 Cr;

Length: 9 km

Final output: Feasibility

Report, DPR, Tender

doc, Presentations,

Stakeholder

engagement, Work

supervision

Client: Cochin Smart

Mission Ltd (2018 –21)

Project Cost: INR

111Cr;

Length: 44 km

Final output: Feasibility

Report, DPR, Tender

doc, Presentations,

Stakeholder

engagement, Work

supervision

Client: Cochin Smart

Mission Ltd (2018 –21)

Project Cost: Various

Final output: Feasibility

Report, DPR, Tender

doc, Presentations,

Stakeholder

engagement, Work

supervision

Client: Cochin Smart

Mission Ltd (2018 –21)

Project Cost: INR 4.8Cr

Final output: Feasibility

Report, DPR, Tender

doc, Presentations,

Stakeholder

engagement, Work

supervision

Project samples:

https://

abhishekxavier9.wixsite.

com/projects

-3-

Housing Prototypes, India: the study developed and evaluated housing patterns and clusters from around the world with a view to implementing them in Indian. A typical city block was used as a common scale and their variables such as built up area, open space, street space, etc measured to provide a consistent set of parameters to compare them against each other. The densities ranged from 2 dwellings per acre to 160 dwellings per acre. These offered an array of solutions for varied master planning contexts. The presentation illustrates these prototypes and patterns through CAD plans, SketchUp models, photographs, tables, etc to be used for discussion with developers.

Urban Solutions Landscape for the State of Gujarat, India WBCSD, a global association of companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development. The study offered sector specific assessments of urban infrastructure initiative within the state of Gujarat -focussing on urban planning, waste water management and energy efficiency. It then offered a ten point solutions plan, towards implementing them in Gujarat. Prepared a brief report that illustrated information collected from various consultants on these issues and was used to inform public sector officials in the State of Gujarat.

Beautification of city roads, Shillong, India - area based development and beautification of 6Km city roads. Work involved creation of footpaths and streetscape works, carriageway rationalization, cycle lanes, bus bays, undergrounding of electrical lines, stormwater drainage, decorative street lighting, road signage, design of junctions. Challenges lay in the design of hill roads, high vehicle usage, limited right of way and space constraints. Shillong remains a city with high touristic value, therefore the project aimed to enhance scenic beauty of Shillong’s urban areas through this beautification proposal. Implementation of works has begun. Transit Oriented Development, India: following implementation of the initial phases of rapid transit metros in India, the MoUD sought guidance on the subsequent phases. Primary focus was on TOD linked finance mechanisms that would help meet the capital and operational costs of transit systems. Stage 1 involved explaining the concepts behind Transit Systems and TOD. Stage 2 involved evaluating successful case studies from around the world and their business models. Third stage involved an assessment of development linked funding mechanisms for Metros within the Indian context – and how the lessons learnt could be applied in India.

Bicester Local Centre, Oxfordshire, UK – involved in developing a range of options for a local centre. This was to form the heart of a 3500 unit urban extension to Bicester, a small market town in the UK. Following studies of historic town squares and village greens in the nearby neighbourhoods, the final design was a unique response to the context and set a brief for the new development. The clustering of activities for convenience of use, establishing an architectural dialogue to knit the space together and arranging the space as per the sun path were some of the key results of the final proposal. This was also a part of a larger set of studies done to inform the final master plan, and fed into the outline planning application. At a later date, prepared illustrations for various character areas. Client: Various (2013)

Final output: Adaptable

block level housing

patterns

Client: World Business

Council for Sustainable

Development (2013)

Final output: Report,

Powerpoint Presentation

Client: Shillong Smart

City Ltd (2019– current)

Project Cost: INR 40 Cr;

Length: 6 km

Final output: Detailed

Project Report,

Stakeholder engagement

Client: Ministry of Urban

Development (MoUD),

India (2012)

Final output: Powerpoint

Presentation

Skills used: Research,

Powerpoint

Client: Countryside

Properties, UK (2005)

Final output: Conceptual

Design

Project samples: https://

abhishekxavier9.wixsite.c

om/projects

-4-

Kettering District Centre, Kettering, UK – substantiated the outline design for a mixed use district centre at the heart of a 5500 dwelling urban extension to Kettering, UK. A unique concept had been set - a place where the countryside would meet the town. Brief involved adopting national trends of retail, commercial, health, leisure, educational and residential uses to justify the form, space and scale proposed, Other key issues involved shaping the concept with respect to – human scale, street hierarchies, movement patterns, local car parking standards, clustering of activities and micro-climate. Developed other character areas of the proposed masterplan. Guildford Cathedral Estate, Guildford, UK –this cathedral estate, located on a hill top, occupied a prominent position close to the centre of Guildford, the county town of Surrey, UK. Initial studies explored the significance of similar religious buildings on hill tops in Italy, France and England, and the spatial relationship it had with the surrounding community. These studies were developed to produce three different conceptual options that would embody and signify different types of spatial relationships between the estate and town. The proposals also aimed to develop the underutilized land at Stag Hill, part of the 23 acres surrounding the cathedral, to accommodate a mixed use development within it. These proved useful in displaying the site’s design potential to the client at an early stage of the design process.

Wellingborough North Main Road – conceptually designed the main road through a 3500 dwelling urban extension to the town of Wellingborough, UK. Towards this spatial and movement patterns of main streets and public spaces in the nearby historic towns and villages of Northamptonshire were analysed. These studies proved instrumental in developing design concepts for the proposed through road and neighbourhood centre. Of special concern was to create a street - that would knit the different uses and parts of the development together; had a scale that was responsive to the pedestrian but would still accommodate the traffic flow, and thirdly have a spatial pattern that was evocative of, but reinterpret, the street typology of surrounding towns.

North Ipswich Urban Extension, Ipswich, UK - prepared master plan for a 43 hectare urban extension to the northern fringe of Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, UK. The extension for 1100 homes, included a local centre and primary school. The key design considerations were – retention of existing mature trees and hedges within the public realm; design of local centre and incorporation of the Bus Rapid Transit system. Developed design concepts, land use budgets, preparation of the final master plan and the final set of outline planning application drawings— through participation in the project team’s monthly meetings with the external consultants to work to a final design solution.

Hamworthy Urban Regeneration, Poole, Dorset, UK - reviewed an existing master plan, and developed a conceptual master plan to feed into the supplementary planning guidance being produced for the Poole Borough Council. The brief was for a mixed use scheme for a brownfield redevelopment project adjacent to the waterfront. The key challenge was to integrate the development with the existing community, the marshes on one side and the quay side on the other with appropriate character areas and density patterns. The project involved working with the council and followed work on a significant regeneration project for the town centre itself. The Poole Bridge Regeneration Initiative project was the winner of 2006 RTPI National Awards for spatial strategies of town centres.

Client: BEE BEE Homes, UK

(2007-’09)

Final output: Conceptual

Design

Client: Guildford Cathedral

Estate, UK (2007-’09)

Final output: Conceptual

Design

Client: BEE BEE Homes, UK

(2007-’09)

Final output: Conceptual

Design

Client: Mersea Homes,

Ipswich, UK (2008-’09)

Final output: Concept

Masterplan, Planning

Application Drawings

Client: Poole Borough

Council, UK (2002-’03)

Final output: Conceptual

Design

Project samples: https://

abhishekxavier9.wixsite.co

m/projects

-5-

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