She is one of the influential architects in making sustainability a household term in India. She has been involved in the conception and execution of more than 500 projects, encompassing the construction of buildings of all sizes as well as water harvesting and sanitation structures with specific relevance to the ecology of the sites. Chitra started with designing and building homes with earth and alternative materials for the middle class, which still continues to be the predominant clientele for her firm. She firmly believes in the principles of frugality, which should be applied to architecture for a sustainable future. She talks to Bhawna Jaimini about the growth of her practice, sustainable development, and problems of consumerism.