Chithra Marsh

Manchester

Chithra Marsh is an architect and a director at Buttress and is based in their Ancoats studio in Manchester.

She is a champion of inclusivity and diversity in the industry, leads on social value initiatives at Buttress, is the former National Chair of Women in Property, RIBA National Council representative for the North West, is a strategic ambassador for social enterprise PLACED and a mentor for the Future of Greater Manchester.

From the very beginning of our conversation, it was clear, Chithra is energised by people’s stories. Her eyes lit up when speaking about projects where the true measure of success wasn’t found in awards or accolades, but in human connection and lasting community impact

“We create spaces that empower people and help them live their best lives,” she shared. “And the only way we can do that well is to truly listen.”

Reflecting on her early days in architecture, Chithra recalled studying at polytechnic in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, a time when the discipline was focused almost exclusively on buildings, on massing, scale, and materiality. “Urban design back then didn’t speak much about people. The conversation around community hadn’t even begun. For the first 20 years, I often wondered if I was in the right career.”

But that perspective would shift, profoundly.

Standing in New Islington, she gestures to the surroundings: “Ancoats and New Islington show how buildings and context can come together to create vibrancy. But for me, what really brings it to life is the sound of children playing in the school playground. That’s when a place truly becomes alive.”

It was one project in particular that reignited her passion for architecture, small in budget, but enormous in heart.

“It didn’t win any awards,” she smiled, “but it gave me and the team something far more valuable: a deep sense of pride.”

That project was Maryport Town Hall. Modest in scale, its transformation created ripple effects across the whole community. By opening up and brightening the once-inaccessible ground floor, the team added a flexible workspace, a welcoming spot for coffee, and a base for local police. One officer told her, “This is the first time in years we’ve been able to have a positive presence in Maryport.”

It was a powerful reminder: real transformation doesn’t always come with a big budget. It comes from listening, understanding, and designing with purpose.

The impact of that one project has since unlocked a series of revitalising efforts in Maryport, from shopfront improvements and a new live music venue, to converting a disused church into a maritime museum, enhancing leisure spaces, and adding a promenade to draw people back to the seafront.

“These weren’t grand, flashy interventions,” Chithra said. “But each one was built on deep engagement and a shared vision with the community. It was about taking collective action to breathe new energy into the town, for residents and visitors alike.”

For Chithra, people are at the heart of place. Not as an afterthought, but as the foundation. Before the sketches and plans, there’s something more powerful: listening.

“I light up when I’m with people, I absolutely love it. Working at Buttress has given me space to be the kind of architect I always wanted to be.”

An architect not just of buildings, but of belonging, giving voice to those who will use the space, and championing the team who brings it to life.