Chronicling the evolution of Sheila Sri Prakash’s pioneering architectural practice, we come to know how she started her practice with three homes and two factories at a minimal scale. She later went on to design schools, shelter units, factories, and apartment buildings, which were known as ‘bungalow apartments’ while keeping in mind how to enhance the productivity of the occupants. She began focusing on designing incremental homes (where the roof and the supports were one part) not limited to the economically weaker sections. She dwells on how freshers navigate a narrative process in designing geometry spaces and how this approach had to be upended in carving shelters and many homes. She goes into detail on the various cost-effective, energy-efficient, material-sensitive design elements she incorporated into the spaces she designed. Incidentally, she points out how at one point she was designing sustainable buildings while simultaneously working on more extravagant projects, as per client requirements. Through it all, she ensured that the trees involved were preserved as they were. . When the Green Movement began, she recalls convincing developers to go green who mostly refused but later agreed with the implementation of a rating system or as part of a marketing gimmick. She expands on her experiences with prominent clients. 

During the pandemic, she recalls how geographical distance no longer became an issue where she was able to collaborate with initiatives near and far. She fondly talks of the many CSR efforts she took up, and the many levels of detailing made during that period. She then goes on to speak of designing high-rise towers (33+ floors) and the integrative technological process (with MEP, fire, etc.) involved with the many design aspects. Noting that with architecture practice, each project offers a new learning opportunity, she admits that design scale and complexities have increased over time and that there is a need for overcoming them going forward. While discussing her achievements, she acknowledges how her parents were a huge support in the advancement of her career and the sacrifices her husband has made that have allowed space for her career to prosper. Speaking of her state-level projects, many have disappeared ground up as elected governments came and went. 

On the development of her firm, she notes how she has always listened to new minds in the office and steered their ideas into reality while also ascertaining the practicalities of the realization in a balanced act. She also points out how the women employees in her office and the challenges they face are empathized with. She states the various institutions she has associated herself with and the relationships’ evolution. Her concluding remarks focus on how she intends to go forward by mobilizing the products of the 4th industrial revolution in the face of ecological degradation.