Cindy studied in South Africa and moved to London in 1990 to work for Foster+Partners. She set up Walters & Cohen with Michál Cohen in 1994.

Cindy has led a diverse range of education, leisure and cultural projects, including the Gallery of Botanical Art at Kew Gardens, Regent High School, Vajrasana Buddhist Retreat Centre, and Newnham College, Cambridge. Her thought leadership and holistic approach to projects results in buildings that are loved by their users and win awards; notably Vajrasana and Newnham both won RIBA East’s Building of the Year. Outside the practice, Cindy regularly shares knowledge and expertise with fellow experts and wider society as an external examiner and guest lecturer.

Her long-standing involvement with the RIBA Awards Group has included judging the Lubetkin Prize, Stirling Prize, and President’s Research Awards. She is a member of the RIBA Validation Board and competition adviser. In 2019 Cindy became chair of the Architecture Foundation. She is a trustee for the Young Women’s Trust, a governor at Regent High School and judge for the World Architecture Festival. In 2012 Cindy and Michál won the inaugural AJ Woman Architect of the Year Award. Cindy is also undertaking a PhD at the Bartlett.