#OnTheCover: Vijaya Bhargav and Arnab Ghosh—the trailblazing co-founders of Ostraca have transformed a staggering 29 million square feet of office space

In the skyrocketing landscape of India’s growing economy and urban centres, where millions of professionals spend the bulk of their waking hours, the importance of intelligently designed corporate interiors cannot be understated,” reflects Arnab Ghosh enthusiastically against the backdrop of a vivid Gurudas Shenoy artwork at the Ostraca headquarters in Bangalore. For over 16 years, Arnab Ghosh and Vijaya Bhargav have been the dynamic duo revolutionising the often-overlooked realm of corporate interiors. Their journey is nothing short of a saga, transforming office spaces across the length and breadth of our nation. “We’ve impacted the lives of approximately 290,000 urban office workers,” adds Ghosh with a sense of pride that permeates his every word.

From tech giants to major global payment gateway organisations to sprawling corporate campuses across India, Ostraca’s portfolio is not just impressive—it’s monumental. And we haven’t even started yet! “I don’t see a lot of other professions boasting about affecting so many lives,” says Vijaya, with a smile that lights up the room. Draped in a hand-painted turquoise saree, pearls around her neck, and an Omega on her wrist, she embodies the sophisticated Telugu elegance that is her hallmark—as we settle in to understand all that Ostraca does, is, and plans to be.

A Fortuitous Meeting: The Birth of Ostraca

The turn of the millennium marked the beginning of an extraordinary partnership between Arnab Ghosh and Vijaya Bhargav. They met under serendipitous circumstances. At the time, Arnab was heading the Bangalore branch of the Delhi-based, reputed firm, Upal Ghosh Associates (UGA), which specialised in mainstream architecture, urban planning, and institutional projects. This initial collaboration laid the foundation for what would become one of India’s most influential architectural firms—known as Ostraca today.

Arnab fondly recalls their first encounter. “We had just secured our first large project in Bangalore and were in dire need of someone with solid construction experience. When Vijaya walked in for the interview, she exuded confidence and brought four years of building experience to the table. I realised instantly that she was exactly what we needed on our team.”

Vijaya, born to a zamindar family from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, had her reservations initially. “Oh my God, do I really want to work here?” she laughs, recalling her first thoughts. “Also, because I thought he looked super young!” However, Vijaya was impressed by Arnab’s credentials from CEPT, which reassured her about joining him. Having worked together for almost a decade at this company, their complementary skills and shared vision laid the groundwork for Ostraca, a firm destined to revolutionise corporate interiors in India.

Fast forward to almost 23 years of working together and 16 years of running the show at Ostraca—Arnab and Vijaya have developed a working relationship that is both harmonious and dynamic. Together, they’ve transformed millions of square feet into award-winning corporate sanctuaries, with a philosophy rooted in transparency and dedication. “We don’t always agree on everything, but that’s what makes our partnership strong,” says Arnab. “Our differing viewpoints often lead to innovative solutions that we might not have thought of individually,” shares Vijaya.

A Multifaceted Life: Beyond Architecture

For the uninitiated, Vijaya is a whirlwind of energy. Always on the move, defying the very concept of downtime, with just six hours of sleep—from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM—she spends the rest of her day in constant activity. “‘Chilling’ simply does not exist in her vocabulary,” jokes Arnab. Her day begins with yoga, and she balances her time between her passion for architecture, her beloved coffee blog, and her deep love for classical Carnatic music. Married for 27 years to a senior scientist in the defence, Vijaya’s journey is marked by a relentless drive to improve herself and the world around her, making her a true inspiration in the world of architecture and beyond.

Vijaya’s penthouse boasts a vegetable garden where she personally tends to a variety of seasonal produce, reflecting her love for nature and plants. An active member of Women in Real Estate (WIRE), she is deeply committed to mentorship and philanthropy. She co-founded Sankalp, a trust supporting the education of individuals from humble backgrounds. “We interview them to understand their aspirations and ensure they have the mindset to give back to society,” shares the driving force behind Ostraca.

In addition to being a jewellery connoisseur with a deep understanding of design, Vijaya frequently collaborates with luxury jewellery brands like C.Krishniah Chetty and Zoya. “There isn’t an upmarket, authentic jewellery store in Bangalore that doesn’t know her,” reveals Arnab. Recognised for her expertise, Vijaya was honoured with the title ‘Gem of a Woman’ by CKC and featured in their 2022 calendar. Her passion for jewellery and its creative processes is evident in her talks, where she brings together jewellery designers and architects to explore common themes and inspirations.

Similarly, Arnab is a captivating blend of logic and creativity, balancing the precision of his left brain with the imaginative flair of his right. His days are driven by an unyielding curiosity and passion for learning, leaving little room for idle moments. “No one can question his logic,” Vijaya repeats almost three times during our conversation, highlighting his keen analytical skills evident in every design exercise. His fascination with watches, which started as a practical joke, has grown into a collection of 18 timepieces, from humble Titans to luxurious brands like Rolex. “A watch is essentially a hundred physical components working in harmony to give you time,” he says ironically, flaunting an Apple Watch on the afternoon of our chat.

An avid car enthusiast, Arnab takes great pride in his AMG Mercedes. However, his passions extend beyond automobiles to food and luxury travel. “As a Bengali, food is my other big love. But my idea of travel is luxury. I need to stay in places better than home in comfort and design,” he shares. Arnab often learns from the architectural details of the places he visits, combining his professional curiosity with his love for luxury.

“I find great places to stay the best learning spaces,” says Arnab, whose life intertwines personal passions with professional pursuits. Married to a former techie who recently launched the travel gear store Mountains Within in Bangalore, Arnab’s diverse interests reflect his multifaceted nature.

Innovative Project Case Studies

Just like their individual personalities, Ostraca’s portfolio is a masterclass in innovative corporate design, where creativity meets functionality in the most unexpected ways. One of the crown jewels of their portfolio is the refurbishment of Infosys campuses during the pandemic. “We transformed over three million square feet of space, retrofitting services and interiors with an eye for both practicality and elegance. The design includes partition zones and COVID-adaptable areas, celebrating teamwork while ensuring safety,” shares Arnab, highlighting how this delicate balance of old and new is what makes Ostraca’s designs so compelling.

Their avant-garde approach to corporate interiors is further exemplified in their project for a global payment gateway organisation. Here, the design narrative was inspired by various modes of transport. “Imagine a pantry housed in a food truck, collaboration zones styled as tram stations, and breakout areas with actual mini trucks and cable cars,” shares Arnab, highlighting how these imaginative touches turn mundane office elements into whimsical yet functional spaces, setting a new benchmark for corporate interiors.

Their pièce de résistance was a Star Trek-themed command centre, that brought the bridge of the Starship Enterprise to life. “The centre head and I found out we are both Trekkies,” Arnab recalls. “So, we designed the command centre as the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Essentially, it’s a set of screens with people looking at them, creating a futuristic and engaging workspace. It looks epic and was a fantastic challenge that brought out the best in our creative thinking,” turning a corporate requirement into a sci-fi dream.

From block-printed workstation screens to locally sourced materials that reduce carbon footprints and support regional economies—Ostraca’s designs are characterised by their attention to detail and creative experimentation. “We developed wooden blocks to block print workstation screens, creating a unique identity and we did the first mock-ups right in our office,” says Vijaya. “For a 600,000 square feet LTI Mindtree office that was to accommodate about 7,500 people. This project involved an immense amount of detail on a massive scale,” she adds, underscoring Ostraca’s commitment to customising designs that not only meet butexceed client expectations.

“What’s even more impressive,” Vijaya continues, “is that we managed to keep costs conservative. We sourced the same workstations from the same vendors, but we took the additional effort of getting a few blocks and printing them. It’s about putting in that extra creativity without breaking the bank.” Arnab explains, “While all this sounds extremely ethnic, the understanding was that we’re not creating a museum for arts and crafts. It’s still a workplace. We coined this beautiful term, ‘global ethnic workplace,’ which means it would be globally standard but with ethnic touches. So, the social hub as you enter is heavy on this theme, and as you move into the actual workspace, it gets subtle. The cafeteria, however, fully embraces the ethnic aesthetic. It’s all about striking a balance to ensure the workplace is both functional and inspiring.”

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Portraits: Shamanth Patil J