Open Studio is a collaborative, integrated, architecture, design and build firm that functions from a small farm outside of Bangalore.
Our approach to sustainability and contemporary relevance, draws from a vast traditions of vernacular and indigenous building crafts and skills; which are rich, varied and ancient. While these skills are alive in many rural communities, they are non-existent in urban scenarios and fast eroding in our villages.
At Open Studio – we try to explore the idea of craft in building; and through our work validate that native building material and skills, are as relevant now as they were in the past.
We innovate in the practice of building with local craftsmen, local skills and local materials; developing ideas that are small, sensible and necessary.
Sundeep Nagaraj and Raina de Nazareth started Open Studio in 2006, after working and collaborating with several architecture and design practices and freelancing plenty. In the early 2000’s their paths collided with the inimitable RL Kumar. They talked, travelled, split hairs and by and by worked together on a number of buildings. We owe much of our core sensibilities to Kumar.
Over the years the firm has designed and executed homes, restaurants, hospitals, retail spaces and schools among others.
Sundeep and Raina studied architecture and interior design (respectively) at IED, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat between 1994 -2002.