Falguni Desai begins the session by mapping out the evolution of her design approach and practice from her earlier days in the profession to her current methodology, which she notes was always needing validation as well. She comments on how she learned to accommodate client requirements, costs, and aspirations with that of her own over time, since every client expects a certain level of work that they can conveniently afford and manage. On the topic of working with builders, she notes how certain design approaches can be evolved apart from simply working on commercial grounds, especially by catering to local community’s requirements. On working with engineers, she remarks that the process can be smoother. She talks about Surat as a city, and the state of heritage and development in the region. She then speaks about influential architects she looked up to after the post-independence era, and how the landscape of architectural projects changed after the 1980s. She also mentions the corruption and black market businesses in the field. She also details the culture of business in Surat from the 1950s onwards and how it has sustained a fascinating culture around communities rooted in one or the other businesses, and how they continue to support each other despite challenges. 

She then goes on to mention the names of certain eminent practitioners who she can recall because of their work being recognized, wherein the names of women architects remain scarce. She recalls brief interactions and engagements with some of these practitioners and shares details about the same. She then goes on to talk about the heritage of early practitioners within the city, their collections and personal houses, as well as their documented legacy. She then talks about some of her current ongoing projects and engagements, and how she is continuing her practice.