Chitra Vishwanath has spent over three decades redefining the role of architecture in the Indian context. Based in Bengaluru, she has approached design with a focus on sustainability, contextual awareness, and social responsibility. Her work resists superficial styling and instead turns attention to how buildings affect their environment and the people who inhabit them. Through her studio, Biome Environmental Solutions, she has helped frame an architectural language that is rooted in ecology and inclusivity.
Her journey in architecture began not with grand declarations but with the quiet conviction that design could be a tool for living responsibly. The early years were shaped by an awareness that buildings are more than structures. They are participants in the life of the land and the communities that occupy them.
Early Influences and Academic Grounding
Chitra Vishwanath graduated from the School of Architecture, CEPT University in Ahmedabad. Early in her career, she was drawn to the idea of architecture as a facilitator of resource-conscious living rather than a pursuit of spectacle. This thinking would later shape the foundations of Biome Environmental Solutions, which she co-founded. Her work integrates architectural design, water management, and ecological planning, making her one of the few professionals in India working holistically across these domains.
Principles That Define Her Practice
Waghoba Village by Biome | Picture Courtesy- Biome Environmental
Her work is defined by deliberate restraint in material, method and energy use. As she reflects on eco design she emphasises that “any good architecture is sustainable” and that the word ecological better captures an enduring ideal. She insists that sustainability is not marketing but architecture shaped by climate, budget and human need.
Her buildings often become case studies in material economy, climate responsiveness, and participatory design. Below are key design approaches that define her approach and style of architecture.
1. Earth as a Primary Material
Goverdhan Eco Village by Biome | Picture Courtesy- Biome
One of the most distinctive aspects of her work is the use of mud blocks or stabilised earth blocks. These are often sourced from the construction site itself, reducing transportation costs and environmental impact. Unlike conventional bricks, earth blocks are breathable and thermally efficient, making them ideal for Indian climates.
2. Rainwater Harvesting and Water Management
VAY Retreats by Biome | Picture Courtesy- Biome
Water-sensitive planning is integral to every project at Biome. The firm designs buildings and landscapes that not only reduce water use but also recharge groundwater and manage wastewater through natural systems. This is particularly important in urban areas where water tables are rapidly depleting.
3. Passive Cooling and Energy Efficiency
Courtyard of a residence for Charis by Chitra Vishwanath | Picture Courtesy- Rethinking the Future
By orienting buildings to take advantage of natural light and ventilation, and by using materials with high thermal mass, the firm often eliminates the need for artificial cooling. Roof gardens, shaded courtyards, and open terraces help maintain indoor comfort even during summer months.
In her own house she decided to dig a basement to keep interiors cool and discovered that “on cold nights the mezzanine is the warmest place”. She thus uses site experience as a guide to spatial decisions.
4. Community Participation and Empowerment
Atelier School by Biome | Picture Courtesy- Biome
Many of her projects involve self-help housing or institutional spaces where users contribute actively to the design and construction process. Her practice honours the labor and craft behind each structure. She questions what matters more, a flawless wall or the quality of space, and invites acceptance of imperfection in the pursuit of meaningful form. This inclusive model ensures that architecture responds to local needs and cultivates a sense of ownership among its users.
5. Integration with Natural Landscape
Waghoba Retreat by Biome Environmental | Picture Courtesy- Biome
Whether designing a rural school or an urban residence, the team works with the site rather than imposing upon it. Trees are preserved, contours are respected, and indigenous species are often reintroduced through thoughtful landscaping.
Built Examples That Reflect Her Values
Action for Social Advancement Office | Picture Courtesy- Biome
The office building of Biome Environmental Solutions in Bengaluru is among her most widely referenced works. It not only serves as a workplace but also as a live experiment in sustainable living. Constructed with earth blocks and designed to operate with minimal energy, the building showcases methods that can be adopted in both rural and urban settings.
Other notable projects include community sanitation solutions, school buildings, and homes that use alternative construction techniques. Her approach often combines indigenous knowledge with contemporary needs, allowing structures to age well in their settings while serving functional purposes.
Beyond Design
Picture Courtesy- Whitewall.art
Chitra Vishwanath has also been deeply involved in policy discussions, research projects, and training programmes. Her advocacy for water conservation has led to her role as a thought leader in urban water management. She is frequently invited to speak at conferences and workshops, where she addresses the challenges of ecological degradation and how built environments can help reverse it.
Chitra also leads discourse on ecological urbanism. She expresses concern over the influence of Western architecture in exacerbating heat in India, observing “we are course-correcting now” as younger architects shift back to climate specific design
Architectural Thinking Rooted in Ethics
Picture Courtesy- Money Control
At a time when much of the built environment is driven by cost efficiency and visual dominance, Chitra Vishwanath continues to prioritise human and ecological well-being. Her practice reminds us that architecture can serve as a bridge between environment and community, between design and ethics. The modesty of her buildings belies the depth of thinking that goes into them. Her work does not attempt to impose but instead listens, adapts, and responds.
Ar. Pranjali Gandhare
Architect | Architectural Journalist | Historian
