Chitra is currently an Environmental Designer with Atelier Ten helping create better strategies for sustainable buildings, site and communities. She has professional experience in architecture, design, research, building energy, sustainability and resiliency.
Chitra's career journey has also seen her contribute to non-profit organizations, including the Building Energy Exchange, UN-Habitat, Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization, and the Center for Active Design, reflecting her commitment to creating healthy and sustainable built environments. She holds a Master's in Science and Sustainability in the Urban Environment, a Bachelor of Architecture from CCNY's Bernard and Anne School of Architecture, and an Advanced Arts diploma from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.
Chitra's passion lies in bridging the gap between nature and urban spaces and seeking sustainable and resilient solutions for future cities. She also enjoys sharing with and gaining insights from other professionals with a deep understanding of environmental design and a dedication to shaping healthier, more sustainable communities.
atelier ten, New York City, Environmental Designer
- Developing sustainable design strategies for buildings and masterplans at Atelier Ten.
- Managing Projects with green building certifications (e.g. LEED, WELL) and regulatory compliance.
- Conducting ongoing environmental/ daylighting models and simulations for optimizing energy efficiency.
- Advising on eco-friendly material selection and construction methods.
- Contributing to climate resilience and passive design integration.
- Collaborating with clients and project teams to promote sustainable choices.
- Staying updated on the latest sustainable design advancements through research.
Center for Active Design, New York, NY, US, Senior Analyst
Provided strategic analysis and certification review services to clients, including the most prominent commercial real estate companies, within a nonprofit organization that promotes architecture and urban planning solutions to improve public health. Responsibilities include:
- Supporting the coordination, review, and certification of projects submitted for Fitwel Certification.
- Guiding projects to comply with Fitwel standards to improve occupant health
- Assisting in developing training, resources, and systems for an efficient project review process.
Baxt Ingui Architects, New York, NY, US, Junior Architect
Provided architecture & interior design services to a midsized Architecture firm with extensive experience in residential, institutional, and commercial projects, focusing on Historic Preservation, LEED, and Passive House certification. Supporting various phases of historic residential and institutional projects. Responsibilities include:
- Consulting with clients, performing site visits, and conducting surveys to determine their requirements.
- Coordinating preliminary architectural studies for new additions and alterations to existing structures.
- Developing schematic drawings and presentations through the design development phase.
- Assisted in permitting for DOB and LPC, including specific drawings and presentations for DOB Filing, Community Board Meetings, and Public Hearings.
- Preparing drawings, specifications, and construction documents alongside experienced Project Managers.
- Coordinating with contractors and vendors through the bidding and construction phases.
- Assisting in interior design, material selection, schedule creation, and architectural office organization.
Building Energy Exchange, New York, NY, US, Programs and Projects Assistant
Nonprofit center for climate action into a 21st-century paragon for energy efficiency education and knowledge sharing.
Responsibilities include:
Research & Projects - helped develop reports, case studies, blogs, and/or training materials on energy efficiency best practices. Assisted in the design and creation of educational graphics and booklets on energy-efficient technologies and helped develop case studies on successful energy efficiency retrofits (eg. HPRT Tech Primers w/ SWA and Mayors Office of Sustainability) Contributed to BE-Ex’s online resources.
Programs- assisted with communications, outreach, and the coordination of events, programs, and campaigns, including the global social media campaign, Daylight Hour. Assisted with the maintenance of the BE-Ex website and crafted social media posts. Helped design and draw layouts for hosting various events, exhibits, and tech demonstrations after the renovation and expansion of 5,200 SF Be-Ex space by ARO.
Kojo Simpson Architects, New York, NY, US, Architectural Designer
Provided architecture design services to a small-sized Architecture firm with extensive experience in residential and commercial projects, focusing on 1-4 family residential projects. Responsibilities include:
- Consulting with clients, performing site visits, and conducting surveys to determine their requirements.
- Coordinating preliminary architectural studies for new additions and alterations to existing structures.
- Assisted in site and space planning studies with analysis and use of the building code.
- Assisted in drafting drawings for DOB Filings.
- Preparing drawings, specifications, and construction documents alongside an experienced Project Manager.
- Assisting in architectural office organization.
Parsons School of Design, Healthy Materials and Sustainable Buildings
This 4-course online learning program explains the relationship between building materials and the human body and how the choices we make as designers can change people’s lives. The first course in the program gives an introduction to human health and the effects of toxins on our bodies, material basics, and what contributes to indoor environment air quality. Course 2 presents toxicity and hazards and the impact of green chemistry on innovation in the chemical industry. Course 3 outlines the paths to designing healthier built environments, from defining health and project goals to finding healthier products. Finally, in Course 4 the discussion surrounds the creation of a framework to facilitate the implementation and execution of healthier products, enabling change-making and changemakers!
City College of New York (CCNY), New York, NY, US, Masters, Sustainability in the Urban Environment
Capstone: Financing, Policy and Engagement Tools for Green Infrastructure in Hoboken
Graduate Assistant & Copy Editor to the Program Director: Prof. Hillary Brown
Notable Courses: Architecture, Engineering, Envt. Science, Envt. Economics, Industrial Ecology, Building Energy, Envt. Policy, Cities & Sustainability, Urban Design & Environmental Planning.
City College of New York (CCNY), New York, NY, US, BArch, Bachelor of Architecture
Committed to creating a just, sustainable, and imaginative future for a rapidly urbanizing planet. Through innovative research and interdisciplinary collaboration, the degree programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, and Sustainability in the Urban Environment.
Notable Courses: Advanced Architecture Design Studios, World Architecture, Site Technology, Site Design, Construction Technology, Structures, Architectural Management, Rendering, Materials of Construction, Urban Resiliency.
AIANYS Burton L. Roslyn Scholarship, Scholarship
The AIA New York State (AIANYS) Emerging Professionals Committee developed a scholarship program to encourage the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). This scholarship is intended to recognize Associate AIA members in New York State who have made significant contributions at an early stage in their careers to the profession and encourage their licensure pursuit. In 2020, the scholarship was rebranded in recognition of Burton L. Roslyn, FAIA, who spent much of his career mentoring and educating emerging architects. In his role as an educator at the New York Institute of Technology and as a Professional, he trained, mentored, and educated his students, emerging professionals, and peers, all with the vision of elevating the Architect’s role in creating the built environment.
Bernard and Anne Spitzer Tuition Scholarship, Scholarship
Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students for two semesters.
ACE NY Scholarship, Scholarship
Scholarship sponsor: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates.
The ACE Mentor Program is where Design and construction industry associations and companies operate national scholarship programs focusing specifically on architecture, engineering, and construction for High School students.
