Chitra vishwanath

About Ar Chitra Vishwanath life and her perspective on Architecture.

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1. Chitra Vishwanath Ar POONAM SHARMA M.Arch II SEM

2. Vishwanath studied for diploma in civil engineering from Nigeria and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the CEPT University in Ahmadabad . She started her practice in 1990. Her approach in evolving architectural designs has placed emphasis on indigenous natural resources, in both an active and passive manner . Vishwanath built her own mud house in an area of 135 square metres (1,450 sq ft) in Bengaluru. She is married to S. Vishwanath, a civil engineer specializing in water harvesting structures and water management. He is a partner in her firm. Chitra Vishwanath and S.Vishwanath harvest rainwater and minimize wastage in their Bangalore home Ar POONAM SHARMA M.Arch II SEM To promote sustainable architecture To use environment friendly local resources and materials that produces less pollution and are easy to incorporate as per the climate. What a tree gives you is so much more important than what gold gives you

3. Born : 6 November 1962 (age 56 years), Bangalore Notable work : Earthen architecture and water harvesting Practice: 1990 Firm : Biome Environmental Solutions, Bangalore which created around 700 mud houses in India and Nigeria. Concept Philosophy “To employ local resources in an optimised way, to plan considering the natural elements, positively and actively, improving lifestyle quality of doers and users “ About Life Ar POONAM SHARMA M.Arch II SEM

4. The ideal time for internship is the 7th semester. This gives institutes the time to prepare students for internships by teaching them the necessary skills. Interns, in turn learn from real-life scenarios which they can tap into in later semesters. A student coming after the 9th semester tends to believe that he/she is already an architect. This perception colours the objective of learning and tends to make it job-oriented – which an internship is not. My advice to students is to neither take internship lightly nor look at it as a means of commercial gain. You are at a stage in life where learning must be the primary means for self- fulfillment Architectural Internship in India Ar POONAM SHARMA M.Arch II SEM

5. Ar POONAM SHARMA M.Arch II SEM Team Biome works at Earth architecture Ecological Spaces Rainwater Harvesting Systems Ecological Sanitation and waste water management Alternative energy systems Inclusive play spaces Education in ecology and design

6.   What inspires you? People and their need. Who is your favorite architect? There is no single favorite, but the one person who I respect very highly is Didi Contractor for the kind of sustainable projects and philosophy she espouses. One design principle essential to all your projects… Sustainability. What is lacking in Indian design and architecture? I cannot criticize or be an expert on what is lacking in this wide-ranging field. But I do I think that the initiative and approach towards recognizing the potential within is what is rather low nowadays… However, there are many inspiring examples of extremely good work. The field, in terms of a market for ideas as well as possibilities for innovation, is very vast. And people are using opportunities to either make a fast buck or are exercising due diligence… the latter may be less in number. What motivated you to take up architecture? More than what, it is who in my case. My father, who was a sculptor, felt architecture was furthering the exploration of space, and he motivated me to study the subject. The book you are currently reading? Architecture for Rapid Change and Scarce Resources by Sumita Sinha. How do you unwind after a hectic day? Mostly watching TV. Your favorite city, to live in and why? It will have to be Bangalore. The climate, family and work, all come together here for me. If someone were to write your biography, what would the title be? Serendipity. Your favorite superhero? Hanuman. Interviewed By- Ridhi Kale (May 14, 2012) Ar POONAM SHARMA M.Arch II SEM

7. Uma Nagaraj Residence, Bangalore Namboodri Residence, Bangalore Residence for Pradeep & Pushpa Hamsa’s House, Bengaluru Projects Ar POONAM SHARMA M.Arch II SEM