Strong Foundations

From a childhood fascination with buildings to a purposeful practice, Milana's journey as a founder celebrates architecture's essence

-  TANVEE ABHYANKAR

No matter how late Milana works each night (our last exchange revealed she had wrapped up at 11pm), she shows up the next morning with quiet composure and clarity - the kind that comes from doing what you love. "I believe in the proverb 'work is worship'," she tells us. "I often spend more hours than the actual billing hours, simply for the love of the project." Born and raised in Bengaluru, Milana remembers a childhood framed by the city's lush greenery and the architectural landmarks taking shape around her. "I've always had a curious fascination with buildings," she says. "I used to go on walks with my dad across the city just to see what new structures were coming up." That early curiosity eventually evolved into a career in architecture - today, Milana is the co-founder of Vivospace Architects, which she runs alongside her partner and husband, Arvind Jagannath.

Remembering the early days of her practice, Milana humbly says, "Our journey began in 2014, with no projects in hand - only optimism and intent." Soon after, came their first assignment: a modest paint job for a kindergarten. From there, the pace quickened: a one-acre residential project within a month, a builder collaboration a year later, and by 2020, a large school that Milana fondly recalls as a turning point. As she walks us through her portfolio of residential, commercial, hospitality, and institutional projects, she explains how her practice is both research-driven and collaborative, and her team, snug.