CHITRA'S DIARYS

Chitra Vishwanath

Born

Bengaluru, India

Occupation Architecture
Years active 1991present
Notable work
harvesting
Spouse(s)
EDUCATION
civil

Mud architecture and water

S. Vishwanath
Vishwanath studied for diploma in
engineering from Nigeria and a

Bachelor of
Architecture degree from the
CEPT University in
Ahmedabad.

Chitra Vishwanath is an Indian

architect based in Bengaluru who
works on themes related to ecology
and architecture

CHITRA VISHWANATH is one of the

pioneers in experimenting with

alternative materials and coming up
with living and working spaces which
are eco-friendly

She has been running her own

architectural firm since 1991, working
with other architects on many projects
in India and Africa.

She is now the Principal Architect and

Managing Director of BIOME Environment
Solutions Private Limited, which has 30
employees

She has been involved in more than 500

projects encompassing construction of
buildings of all sizes and water harvesting
and sanitation structures with specific
relevance to the ecology of the sites

With mud as a basic material input in

construction she has designed and built
many structures

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. Mud forms the basic element in

her architectural designs in view of its easy
availability, labor intensiveness, and ease
of construction,[2] incorporating water,
energy and land-use processes.

In order to promote her theme of mud

architecture of buildings as an
environmentally sound proposition,
Vishwanath built her own mud house in an
area of 135 square metres (1,450 sq ft) in
Bengaluru.

The unique feature of this aesthetically

planned house is that it does not provide
for air conditioning or fans and is built with
several levels. The walls made with mud
bricks do not have any plaster finish. Water
heating is provided by solar panels, partial
electricity by photovoltaics and water
harvesting facility provided for about 70%
of the water requirements. The Eco-san
toilet has a facility to segregate solid and
liquid waste.The terrace is used to treat
greywater through plants and the water so
treated is used for flushing and the terrace
garden.The terrace also has a bio mass
heater which is used for heating water in

the cold cloudy days . The terrace has a

vegetable garden with an area of 1,000
square feet (93 m2)

ABOUT FIRM

Historic-Created by the 2008 merger of Chitra

K. Vishwanath Architects and Rainwater Club.
Both organizations have operated since 1990
and bring their distinct talents to the new firm:

Biome=Biome Environmental Solutions is a

Bangalore-based design firm focused on
ecology, architecture and water. The offices
diverse team includes designers, architects,
civil and mechanical engineers and urban
planners from various parts of India and
abroad. The designs are undertaken by various
member of this team in constant collaboration
with each other via group discussions &
exchanges and periodic meetings.

She is a firm believer of 'Alternative

architecture' which seeks to strike a balance

between ecological sustenance and the design,

materials and techniques of construction
She says, "Born to a sculptor father who was
instrumental in introducing me to architecture
architecture became a passion only after
starting the practice especially so after we the
team at Biome have been able to successfully
demonstrate the possibility of ecological
designs in various scale. My profile cannot be
just me since for me our works are a huge
team effort and the team is a large one."

I believe in Future of architecture lies in it

being ecologically sensitive wherein it
incorporates water, waste, energy, bio
diversity, food and resources to build with.
Architect/ Designer I admire
Laurie Baker and Glenn Mercutt
What inspires me?
People and their need.
One design principle essential to all your
projects
Sustainability.
MINE'S INTERESTS

Reading,Travelling and watching TV

-Awards
CW interiors for one of the top ten offices
Rethinking the future award 2014
NDTV award 2015
WADe 2016

CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
'LIST OF FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
ACTIVITY FLOW CHARTS

OVERALL CIRCULATION DIAGRAM SHOWING ALL

DEPARTMENTS