Lakhan Sembi
Graduate Urban Designer
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About
Co-developed an urban renewal masterplan for Hackney Wick in conjunction with Tower Hamlets Council, exploring how built form can weave nature into daily life to support ecological systems and local creative communities. Formulated tailored, high-density residential and commercial typologies backed by a financial appraisal, tailored to the clients brief, local planning policy and wider socioeconomic context. Strengthened skills in GIS to research to embed resilient green infastructure and local nature systems seamlessly into the proposal
Experience
Global Cities Module at Oxford Brookes & Tower Hamlets Council (2025-09 – Present)
- Co-developed an urban renewal masterplan for Hackney Wick in conjunction with Tower Hamlets Council, exploring how built form can weave nature into daily life to support ecological systems and local creative communities.
- Formulated tailored, high-density residential and commercial typologies backed by a financial appraisal, tailored to the clients brief, local planning policy and wider socioeconomic context.
- Strengthened skills in GIS to research to embed resilient green infastructure and local nature systems seamlessly into the proposal
- Formally presented the renewal proposal to local authority stakeholders, articulately defending spatial layouts, placemaking principles and planning choices.
Designer at Evlye (2024-12 – Present)
- Oversee the end-to-end commercial design lifecycle, directing initial research and development, prototyping and final product approvals under fast paced commercial deadlines.
- Manage project budgets and coordinated multidisciplinary creative teams to execute brand campaigns and temporary spatial/set designs.
- Organise and host public facing pop-up events, refining strong client facing communication and in person social skills to navigate diverse stakeholder dynamics and community engagement.
- Liaising with global manufacturers to meet strict deadlines and bespoke client requests.
Urban Design Micro Intern at Stantec (2022-10 – 2022-10)
- Rendered large-scale, sustainable masterplans tailored directly to community demographics and client briefs.
- Pitched spatial proposals, layout methodologies, and design concepts confidently to the wider built environment team.
- Collaborated closely with landscape architects and transport planners to mitigate site constraints and optimise layout efficiency.
Education
BA (Hons) in Urban Design, Planning and Development – Oxford Brookes University (2023 – 2026)
A Levels: Geography, Psychology and Biology – Chalfont's Community College (2016 – 2023)
GCSEs: 9 GCSEs including Maths 5, English 7 – Chalfont's Community College (2016 – 2023)