Animesh graduated with a B.Arch. degree from Delhi’s School of Planning and Architecture in 2002, and during this period he also interned at the San Francisco offices of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, LLP and with the masons of award-winning Indian architect Laurie Baker on various projects in South India. Upon graduation, he spent a semester at the office of architect Ranjit Sabikhi in New Delhi, where he worked on a proposal for a new IIM campus. He joined the M.Arch. Program at Cornell University’s College of Art, Architecture and Planning in 2003 and graduated in 2005. Animesh then worked for four years at the New York office of FXFowle as part of a team on various urban planning and architecture projects all over eastern United States. He returned to India in 2009 and founded, along with two other partners, the architecture practice – SALT, leading the design and execution of a wide array of institutional, commercial and residential projects all over India and overseas. In 2016, after the dissolution of SALT, Animesh founded Open to Sky – an architecture and design firm with offices in Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Gaurav completed his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2012 from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. He completed his Master’s in Theory of Design in 2015 from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. Gaurav worked with M/s Prabhakar B Bhagwat in Ahmedabad during his internship and also after graduating, from 2012 to 2013. He was also an instructor at CEPT University’s Winter School, 2015. Gaurav is keenly interested in understanding the impact of contemporary urban transformation on the historic settings of Indian cities. In his graduation thesis, he attempted to formulate a framework to understand the transformative dynamics of the built environment at the juncture of rapid urbanization using the example of Kolkata’s Old Chinatown as a case study.
Gaurav enjoys travelling and is particularly interested in travel literature. Music, sketching and reading comics are his other passions.
Anirban completed his Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree in 2011 from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Jammu. He worked for two years with Landscape & Architecture Offices in New Delhi and acquired valuable experience in the area of ‘Sustainable Landscape and its Impact on Built Form.’ He joined SALT Architects in 2014 and worked as Project Architect on both small and large-scale architectural projects in Mumbai. Projects included high-rise residential projects as well. Anirban joined ‘Open to Sky’ in May 2019.
Anirban has had rich hands-on experience in modern construction techniques and has a keen interest in contemporary multi-layered urban projects. His preference is to work on projects that employ efficient and minimally invasive design approaches.
Anirban enjoys cooking, music and sketching. He has a special interest in solo road trips.
Revathi completed her Bachelor of Architecture in 2015 from Manipal University, Karnataka. She has led projects across residential, commercial, hospitality and institutional typologies while working with reputed design studios in Bangalore. Revathi’s thesis focused on the importance of Streetscape and Urban Social Space Design in the city of Kochi. She joined 'Open to Sky' in October 2023 and leads the Bangalore branch of the design studio.
Revathi enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and travelling. She is an ardent board gamer and a big foodie at heart.
Anumoy Paul completed his Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree in 2015 from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. He also completed his Master’s in Urban Design (MArch) degree in 2017 from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. He joined 'Open to Sky' as an ARCHITECT in April 2018. Anumoy did his internship with MNC.ONE, Kolkata during which he worked with Ar. Anjan Mitra on an urban revitalization project in Kalighat, Kolkata. He also worked with conservation architect Ar. Aishwarya Tipnis as an Urban Design facilitator on an Indo French heritage project.
Anumoy is keenly interested in understanding modern trends in urban geography. He also enjoys watching movies, writing, sketching and reading.
Sayantani completed her B Arch with honours from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, in 2016. Thereafter, she joined MNC.One as an Architect and worked there for two years. Sayantani then joined Architectonic Services as an Architect. She joined ‘Open to Sky’ in 2019 where she worked on several projects, both in architecture and interior design, including a proposal for an IB school in Mumbai. Sayantani’s short absence from the team, enhanced her growth and passion for design, when she worked with Abin Design Studio for a year before she returned to ‘Open to Sky’ in March 2023 as Senior Architect. With her return, Sayantani brings more richness and smarter practical solutions to the team.
Her graduation thesis explored the concept of ‘Temple of no Religion’, taking inspiration from ‘Auroville’. An avid traveller, Sayantani is also a prolific painter and has featured in several professional exhibitions.
Sharmistha completed her Diploma in Architecture (D.Arch) in 2016, from the Chandannagar Womens Polytechnic and worked with Regal Cad Services for one year. She then joined Architectonic Services where she worked for four years, during which period she worked on several residential and commercial projects. Sharmistha joined ‘Open to Sky’ as an Architect in 2022. She is currently pursuing her B. Arch from the Indian Institute of Architects, while working full-time with 'Open to Sky'.
Sharmistha is keenly interested in conservation of heritage buildings and also enjoys travelling, painting and music.
Shiveera completed her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Interior Design from Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore in 2019. In 2017 she interned at URBNarc, an award-winning firm in Singapore, led by Architect & Designer Gaurang Khemka. Shiveera also interned at Design Cell in Kolkata after graduating, under the guidance of Architect Veenu Chaddha. Shiveera has a keen interest in vernacular architecture and the many ways in which it can inform our designs moving forward, to create more meaningful spaces and to prevent the obsolescence of structures.
Shiveera enjoys reading, swimming and baking in her spare time.
Rohan completed his B.Arch in 2022 from OmDayal College of Architecture in Kolkata. While pursuing his B.Arch, he interned with Kamat and Rozario for six months in 2021. The subject of his dissertation was 'Rethinking Promotional Spaces for Unknown Artists in Kolkata using Adaptive Reuse'. His project involved intensive research of old and dilapidated buildings and the holistic development of the artist community and their surroundings. Rohan joined ‘Open to Sky Architects’ in June, 2023. He is keenly interested in documenting the heritage parts of the city and to understand how the morphology has changed over time. Rohan is also keenly interested in adaptation of technology to architecture.
His interests include drawing caricatures, graphic design, cooking, travel and soccer.
Rajibul completed his BSc in 2010 and his Dip. in Architecture in 2015 from Shree Ramakrishna Institute of Science and Technology, Kolkata. He joined D Subhas & Associates where he worked on various residential projects for close to two years. Rajibul then joined Agrawal & Agrawal Architects and worked with the firm for six years on a variety of projects. He joined ‘Open to Sky’ as an Architect in March 2023.
While architecture is his passion, Rajibul is keenly interested in painting and travelling, exploring unusual destinations.
Sudipta completed her Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2020 from Om Dayal College of Architecture, Kolkata and joined Maheshwari & Associates as a Junior Architect. She then worked as a Project Architect and Team Leader with Agrawal & Agrawal Architects, before joining ‘Open to Sky’ as Architect in February 2024. Prior to joining Om Dayal College of Architecture, Sudipta completed her Diploma in Architecture in 2013 from Womens Polytechnic, Kolkata and worked with Agrawal & Agrawal Architects as an Architectural Assistant.
Sudipta is passionate about how architecture connects with the environment and is keenly interested in sustainable and vernacular architecture. Her hobbies include sketching, singing and travelling.
Shohana earned her Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree from D.Y. Patil College of Architecture, University of Mumbai, in 2022. She completed her internship at Ingrain Architects, Mumbai and after graduating, she joined Space Ace Architects in Gurugram, working on government tender projects and residential, institutional and industrial projects. Shohana’s undergraduate dissertation, ‘Revitalization of Handloom Weaving Industry in Aurangabad’, examined the revival of traditional handloom weaving as a means of preserving Maharashtra’s rich cultural legacy and improving the socio-economic standing of the city.
Shohana joined ‘Open to Sky’ as an Architect in March 2024. She believes that the complex process of designing and building, requires passion and perseverance, and architecture symbolizes a commitment to discipline and tenacity.
Shohana has a passion for painting on canvas and enjoys travelling to discover new locations and experiences.
Sudeshna is an Architect and Urban Designer with more than 13 years of professional experience. She graduated with a B.Arch from the Indian Institute of Engineering and Science University (IIEST), Shibpur in 2009, and completed her MA in Urban Design from Sheffield School of Architecture, UK in 2016.
Sudeshna was involved with the preparation of the Nomination Dossier with the Archaeological Survey of India for Santiniketan, as a world heritage site for UNESCO. She has extensive experience in conservation and restoration, construction, urban design and landscaping projects. She has been involved in housing, institutional and commercial development projects in Delhi, Muscat, and Kolkata.
Sudeshna has also worked on urban design projects in Howrah, Sheffield, Berlin and Johannesburg. She started working with smart city projects in December 2018 as an Urban Designer in Trivandrum Smart City, on three slum re-development projects, one market re-development and several street and road development projects. She was appointed as Urban Designer for New Town Kolkata Green Smart City and worked on identifying development projects all over the city, participating in feasibility studies, design proposals, stakeholder participation, tender documents and vendor selection processes. In addition, she worked in Al-Tasnim LLC, Muscat on high-end villa and showroom projects as a Project Architect.
Sudeshna believes in a collaborative approach to designing spaces and is passionate about finding innovative and sustainable solutions to urban issues. Her keen interest in design and research work has motivated her to actively involve herself in advocacy of architecture and design, through writing as an architectural journalist.
Sudeshna is the founder and the Principal Architect of ‘Spatial Design Practices’, a Kolkata-based architecture firm, where she wants to utilize her knowledge and experience to create innovative, functional and aesthetic design solutions. She has been associated with ‘Open to Sky’ since February 2022, as a collaborative partner.
Anup joined SALT in 2014 and then joined Open to Sky in February 2016. He takes care of the office and manages all matters pertaining to the office very efficiently. His strength is troubleshooting and he is able to manage complex administrative tasks with great ease. Anup enjoys interacting with people. He also enjoys cricket, travelling, sketching and drawing. Apart from this, he is a foodie and likes to experiment with new dishes.
Disha M Bhansali is an accomplished professional with expertise in branding and marketing. She holds a strong educational foundation in finance and accountancy, having a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a Major in Finance and Accountancy from St. Joseph's College of Commerce, Bangalore. Her diverse career includes roles in employer branding, recruitment marketing, and digital marketing, showcasing her skills in project management, data analysis, and content creation.
Disha is a passionate traveller, enjoys dancing, fashion and is an avid reader of business and finance literature.
Chaitra is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree programme from M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology - School of Architecture, Bengaluru. She joined ‘Open to Sky’ as an Architectural Intern in January 2024. Chaitra is passionate about architecture and believes that architecture transcends mere structures – it is an art that shapes experiences within spaces. The narrative embedded in each space, interwoven with elements like green spaces and sunlight, is what inspires her in her creative journey.
Apart from architecture, Chaitra also enjoys reading, music, photography and travel.
Jose is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree programme from University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru. With a deep interest in exploring the crafting of unconventional spaces, he believes that built environments should positively impact the psyche of the users. Jose joined ’Open to Sky’ as an Architectural Intern in February 2024.
Jose is an automobile enthusiast and an avid metal-head, who also enjoys watching arthouse films.
Kavana is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree programme from University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru. She joined ‘Open to Sky’ as an Architectural Intern in February 2024. Kavana strives to design spaces that not only look aesthetic but also serve to enhance the quality of interactions between people.
Apart from architecture, Kavana enjoys dance and photography.