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Balachandar Baskaran

balab@spacearchitect.org

BACKGROUND

Balachandar Baskaran is an interdisciplinary individual who specializes in Firm and Workspace Strategies, Project Coordination and providing Extreme Architecture Solutions. In addition, he is an Artist, Designer, Researcher, Documenter, Writer, App Design Developer, Photographer and Academician.

He focuses on developing designs related to Extreme and Extra-Terrestrial Architecture. He was recently part of the team that won the third place for the design of Maitri-II Antarctic research station. He is an active researcher in identifying landing locations for future robotic and human missions in extra-terrestrial environments. He obtained his bachelor degree in Architecture from School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, Chennai, India and Masters in Space Studies from International Space University (I.S.U.), Strasbourg, France. After being mentored by renowned Aerospace Scientist and former President of India, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, he was influenced by Moscow Aviation Institute, Star city, Energia, Moscow, Russia. He later worked for Space Application Services, Brussels for the development of the test bed of the Dream Chaser Space Shuttle. His chapter on the Landing location on Mars was given special recognition under the Mars NOW Project which was sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (N.A.S.A.) under I.S.U. He also co-authored the book, Space and Human Culture edited by Jacques Arnould. Besides, he mentors students from various universities on their research and conducts workshops on designing for extreme environments and space. He frequently participates in panel discussions, delivers lectures and talks on topics pertaining to space design, design conception, critical thinking, future planning, business and management along with workspace and firm strategies.

Besides, he is a renowned firm and workspace consultant who provides customized strategies for companies for it to function successfully for a period of 33 years or more. In the past decade, he has consulted for more than 30 companies ranging from Architecture, Management, Law and others. He is also an experienced Project Coordinator who worked along with Ministry of Defense, India to oversee the construction of National War Memorial and the Parliament Complex at New Delhi, India. His recent
project includes the execution of Noida International Airport, India.

  • Founder of BalaB consultants,
  • Principal Project Management Coordinator, National War Memorial, India,
  • Project Coordination Consultant, Central Vista, India,
  • Project Evaluator, Noida International Airport,
  • Visiting faculty for School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India,
  • Visiting Faculty for School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, Chennai, India.
RESEARCH
  • Space Tourism Demand in Emerging Nations – A case study of India,
  • Landing locations for Mars missions,
  • Drastic and Innovative solutions understanding the Impacts of Urbanism over rivers in cities,
  • Traditional and advanced building materials and its applications over construction, and
  • Progressive Building strategy and technique for LIG, MIG and HIG housing.

ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTATION PARTICIPATION
  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and
  • University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, Australia and School of Architecture and Planning, Chennai.
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Council of Architecture (C.O.A),
  • Indian Institute of Architects (I.I.A), and
  • Licensed Surveyor.
AWARDS
  • Padmashree Lakshman Mahadev Chitale Endowment,
  • Dr. A. L. Mudaliar Endowment,
  • Awarded best performer in Professional Practice,
  • Awarded best performer in Dissertation – Architecture in Extreme Environments,
  • Special participation, National federation of UNESCO Associations, Japan,
  • Korsala’s International Best artist award,
  • Recognition at India posts, Department of Postal, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Govt. of India,
  • Winner at Transparance, 2010,
  • Special recognition for eco-friendly Design, IGBC (Indian green building council), and
  • Recognition for Social Service: Rescue and relief operations during Chennai Floods and conducting Medical camps, Chennai, India.