Vinayak Menon

Working in an academic environment after practicing as an Architect for several years, allowed me the opportunity to instill in students the drive to think responsibly and act sustainably.

• Developed diverse teaching methodologies to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes in undergraduate programs.
• Crafted diverse methodologies for teaching students throughout undergraduate programs.
• Mentored undergraduate and graduate students in academic and career development strategies.
• Managed administrative duties for continuous internal assessment to ensure academic integrity and support student progress.
• Evaluation of students' work in the capacity of an External examiner
• Supported students with learning difficulties in grasping key concepts, fostering an inclusive learning environment.
• Supporting students with various learning difficulties to understand key concepts in core subjects
• Attending faculty development programs, staying updated in architectural and landscape pedagogy

Recognitions as a Mentor

• Winning entry - CREA – A national level installation competition that saw students creating in real-life their shortlisted idea
• Winning entry - Thekkegramam – The historical hamlet - COA(Council of Architecture) Awards for Excellence in Documentation of Architectural Heritage 2022
• Honorable mention – Notions of Space 2022 – A paradoxical installation competition conducted by archiol
• Commendation - Ithasa – Revitalization of History in CPH Trophy – NASA 2023
• Shortlisted entries – Sh.. it matters 2022 – Public toilet design and Emotions on Display 2023 – Museum design – Annual NASA Design Competition (ANDC) – 2023 – 3 of 4 entries selected - Residential interior awards - 2026

Managed planning applications and liaised with regulatory bodies to secure landscape project approvals in London.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivered socially responsive public space designs informed by community engagement.
• Applied UK planning policies and public realm frameworks to design execution.
• Conducted strategic and feasibility studies to evaluate project viability and define scope.
• Produced policy-compliant drawings, reports, and visual materials for approvals.
• Produced drawings, reports, and visual materials that complied with policy for project approvals.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure alignment with statutory standards.

Upon my return to India, I established Rachana Prayana, an architecture firm seamlessly integrating global design influences with a profound understanding of local contexts.

Key Responsibilities

• Led architectural team, fostering collaboration and innovation to achieve project goals.
• Improved client satisfaction through clear communication, comprehensive design work, and meticulous project inspections.
• Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to drive innovation and excellence in project completion.
• Liaised with engineers and project managers to exchange ideas and facilitate execution of detail drawings.

Having practiced as an Architect in India, I embarked on a journey to Germany for a Master's in Landscape Architecture, subsequently honing my skills at BOGL, a Scandinavian landscape design firm in Denmark.

Key Responsibilities

• Developed and executed diverse landscaping designs, ranging from schoolyards to urban parks, enhancing community spaces.
• Conducted site visits to evaluate project locations and assess conditions.
• Produced accurate conceptual design layouts, construction details and specifications for projects.
• Participation and execution of won design competitions
• Producing hand drawings and computer generated sketches / concepts for a variety of schemes ensuring quick decision-making.
• Produced precise conceptual design layouts, construction details, and specifications, ensuring project alignment with client needs.
• Assisted in preparing project deliverables for large-scale public realm projects, contributing to successful outcomes at various stages.