Architecture & Design 2023

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

SPECIAL EDITION 2023

CONTENTS

04 Seeking Equilibrium Between Public And Private Interests

Ivan Rašković Professor of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Architecture, President of the Association of Belgrade Architects

14 Architectural Maturity Comes Via The Absence Of Fear

Milena Ivanović urban planning group head, Bureau Cube Partners

10 Designing For A Radically Changing World

Aleksandar Saša Zeljić architect; AIA, NCARB, LEED BD+C; Studio Director, Design Principal, Director of Practices. - Gensler, Chicago

IMPRESSUM

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs

ART DIRECTOR

Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs

PHOTOS Zoran Petrović

COPY EDITOR Mark Pullen mrpeditorial@mail.com

PROJECT MANAGERS

Biljana Dević b.devic@aim.rs

Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs

Renata Šteković Zagorac r.zagorac@aim.rs

OFFICE MANAGER

Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs

FINANCE

Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs

Milena Kalinić design group head, Bureau Cube Partners

Sanja Kostić design group head, Bureau Cube Partners

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs

DIRECTOR

Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com

PUBLISHER

Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs

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ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN 2023

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RAŠKOVIĆ Professor of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Architecture, President of the Association of Belgrade Architects

SEEKING EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INTERESTS

Belgrade’s development testifies to its economic might and market attractiveness, to the positive and negative values that it shares, in relative terms, with the planet’s other metropolises. Although there is plenty of public debate in our country regarding current architectural solutions, often among laypeople, I would say that the field of architecture has an optimal influence in our environment. The sheer number of design contests organised in our country testifies to this claim

The latest urban planning and architecture solutions in our cities are among the many topics subjected to lively debate in Serbia, not only in the context of the solutions themselves, but first and foremost as a reflection of broader social values, and denying, striving towards and deviating from those values. In recent times, these debates have been

bringing citizens onto the streets, with some architects and urban planners stating that they are directly engaged in political life or are react collectively as representatives of the profession, commenting on the numerous signs of change throughout Serbia, from the Belgrade Waterfront and the route of the metro, to the potential destruction of ecological oases like Šodroš or the Reva Pond, the fell-

ing of trees lining streets in the centres of major Serbian cities and the ubiquitous invisible hands of investor urbanism. In order to get the lowdown on whether the dilemmas besieging us are uniquely ours or global issues, the search for the correct balance between public and private interests, the amounts of money circulating in the construction sector and all kinds of better and worse architec-

IVAN

tural solutions to be found in rural Serbia, we spoke with Ivan Rašković, professor at the Belgrade Faculty of Architecture and president of the Association of Belgrade Architects.

For a foreign visitor or someone arriving from the provinces, the architectural solutions of a capital city relay a message about a country’s development, about its relationship towards history and the future, and certainly towards citizens themselves. Observed from that perspective, what does the latest wave of construction in the Serbian capital tell you about the values that we nurture?

— The wave that you mention primarily testifies to Belgrade being a

multiculturalism, once brought it flattering comparisons with Berlin. The momentum of construction we’re discussing is, in a way, both the cause and consequence of Belgrade’s status as a metropolis. The volume of all kinds of investments testifies to it being a significant space of great opportunities, so the city’s growth is an expression of the desire to utilise those opportunities. One financial expert told me a few years ago that, at that moment, there was more money circulating in the Belgrade construction sector than there had been in the entire Socialist Federal Yugoslavia prior to its collapse. A great advantage is also represented by its position at the confluence of two navigable rivers, the Sava and the Danube, on the border of the

so it certainly can’t live its life as it did, say, a hundred years ago. The development of Belgrade, thus, testifies to its economic might and market attractiveness, to the positive and negative values that it shares, in relative terms, with the planet’s other metropolises.

metropolis, because many brands that extend beyond its boundaries are developing in the city. The legendary ‘splav’ (raft) venues floating on the Sava and Danube, which have long been famous across Europe and beyond, represent a metaphor for the metropolis, combining within them ‘the black and the white’; the nadir and the zenith of urban life. Additionally, Belgrade’s museums have also become one of the city’s brands; the Nikola Tesla museum is particularly prominent, and for good reason, because it displays the legacy of one of the all-time greatest inventors in human history. The diversity of Belgrade’s urban matrix, the presence of architecture with superior values, a rich offer of city amenities, heritage and dramatic

Pannonian Plain, which leads directly to the “heart” of the European continent. Of course, the architecture and construction highlighted in your question are important elements of the metropolis that certainly express the system of values and economic might.

Belgrade is growing dynamically, with new buildings and complexes demonstrating that it is also a place to generate profit, in which it doesn’t differ from other world metropolises. New square metres are sold and rented because there is high demand for this type of “good”. The attitude towards heritage is something the public is sensitive to, but there must be consideration for the fact that every city is also a “usable object” and that buildings have their own lifespan,

Whose notions are woven into such solutions? How many of them are the product of relevant international contests, involving foreign and domestic architects - competing, ideas – and what does that tell us about the influence your profession has on shaping the future – not only the future of the capital, but of urban centres across Serbia? — The ‘idea’ of a city is always the result of the harmonising of public interest and private investments that “fill” the budget, while the city administration further directs them towards development for the benefit of all citizens. Interestingly, our area is known for its long and well-developed tradition of public architectural contests, so its buildings that were ‘won’ in contests include: Palace Albania, the Temple of Saint Sava (on two occasions), St. Mark’s Church in Tašmajdan, New Belgrade’s Hotel Yugoslavia, the General Staff Building in Miloš Veliki Street [Yugoslav MoD], the Palace of Serbia and the National Library. That tradition is not waning – thus, around a year ago, we had as many as five architecture contests: for the faculties of applied arts and music, the hub on the site of the former Ložionica railway depot next to Gazela Bridge, the extension of Student City in New Belgrade... all capital investments! A contest, as a competition between ideas, is certainly the best way to reach the right solution for any architectural topic. What happens in a spatial area impacts all members of the community, regardless of the ownership status of a structure or land plot; impacting their movements, views,

VOX POPULI

The influence of the field of architecture in our area is assessed differently by the public, and we have to be mindful that the wider public are laypeople when it comes to issues of architecture and urban planning

TOPONYMS

The legendary ‘splav’ venues on the Sava and Danube, which have long been famous across Europe and beyond, represent a metaphor for the metropolis, combining within them ‘the black and the white’; the nadir and the zenith of urban life

HOUSING

The very relevant topic of housing policy actually finds its place in an important document that’s been prepared over many years by our state under the title National Architecture Strategy

A LARGE NUMBER OF VARIOUS ETHNO-COMPLEXES HAVE BEEN SPROUTING UP ALL OVER SERBIA FOR DECADES AND OFTEN REPRESENT UNSKILLED AND EVEN TASTELESS INTERPRETATIONS OF THE RURAL ARCHITECTURE OF OUR LANDS

sense of satisfaction, and their lives in general. Public and private interests must be concordant, through compromise and close collaboration, without radical opposition. The correct solution is to evaluate which locations in the city are of such spatial importance that planning documentation for them must include the obligatory conducting of a public contest, regardless of whether the project is under state or private ownership. And that is actually implemented in our environment, though I would say not to a sufficient extent. The influence of the field of architecture in our area is assessed differently by the public, and therein we have to be mindful that this public, the wider public everywhere

around the world, including in our country, is made up of laypeople when it comes to issues of architecture and urban planning. The public functions according to lines of personal taste, which is a subjective category; the fact that someone doesn’t like a façade in the city or the way some square has been arranged doesn’t necessarily mean those solutions are bad. I would still say that the field of architecture has an optimal influence in our environment; in relative terms, architecture contests are organised in our country much more often than they are in most EU countries and the U.S., but it can always be better.

Investor urbanism is often mentioned in our country as a prevalent private interest that is to

the detriment of public interest and the real needs of citizens. Is that fated in the times in which we live globally, or are there also ways to reflect public interest in our cities. Where lies the power of architects and urban planners, and that of citizens?

— Every expression of “urbanism” is by its very nature investor-driven, regardless of who invests the money. On the other hand, it is clear that not every private investment threatens the public interest. However, in a narrower sense, this notion relates to private investors, be they individuals or companies, who manage – through corrupt deeds – to have planning documents amended to favour them. Thus, this is not fated in the time and space in which we live, but is

rather a global phenomenon that has a tradition dating back centuries and is on par with the legal prevention of corruption and influence peddling among individual civil servants - decision makers. Civic action is also a legitimate instrument for crushing negative processes in a city’s development. However, here – as I’ve mentioned – it should be considered that the vast majority of citizens are laypeople when it comes to issues of a city’s development, so in any event they require professional assistance in recognising the real essence of a problem and the direction of its solution. Finally, the “power” of an architect in these matters is both indirect and direct; indirectly through planning documentation compiled

ONE FINANCIAL EXPERT TOLD ME A FEW YEARS AGO THAT, AT THAT MOMENT, THERE WAS MORE MONEY CIRCULATING IN BELGRADE’S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THAN IN THE ENTIRE SFR YUGOSLAVIA PRIOR TO ITS COLLAPSE

in a high-quality way and contests that are well organised and adjudication, and directly in cases when they occupy decision-making positions while serving, for example, in the position of a city architect or urban planner, as a member of a planning commission, a state secretary at the ministry or a local government official.

There is a lot of talk at present about smart cities as urban areas that absorb the latest technological solutions, provide important responses to address the challenges of climate change and provide for a better quality of life for citizens. To what extent do you observe such trends in urban planning solutions and plans in Serbia and surrounding countries?

— I'm not an expert on that topic, but I think that our region’s inclusion in those trends is optimal. The planning documentation of the majority of our cities encompasses issues of waste recycling, reducing harmful emissions and developing the concept of “green energy”, as well as protecting the environment. Air pollution in Belgrade, for instance, is the result of incinerating various types of industrial waste in private furnaces. It is necessary to implement major, enduring and financially supported efforts to render these furnaces environmentally acceptable.

One piece of news that we were able to read recently is that the number of abandoned residential units in Serbia has increased by around 10,000 since 2011, to a total of 123,000. How do you interpret this information? What does it say about our housing policy? — We would have to define precisely what we mean under the term “abandoned apartment”. If that includes apartments that no one currently lives in, there can be various reasons, such as their owners residing and working abroad.

Over the past decade, a significant number of apartments have been bought as investments that are waiting for prices to rise, which has nothing to do with the housing policy, which actually finds its place in an important document that’s been prepared over many years by our state under the title National Architecture Strategy.

You spoke in another interview about something that only appears sporadically in our country’s media: architectural solutions in rural areas, or the existence of public places in that space. Is their absence or neglect one of the answers to the question of why those areas are being abandoned, and could addressing that lead to their possible rediscovery?

— Rural areas are still beyond the focus of the architecture profession in our country. The key reason is the imperative of the ideology of modernism to break with the past. That break manifested in attempts to find new, self-grounded form and spatial concepts. The architecture of rural areas is symbolised by the backward and the undesirable. The emergence of postmodernism in the last third of the 20th century created space for the specific utilising of the principles of traditional rural architecture, and results weren’t lacking. Inspiration from folklore architecture is inexhaustible and represents an opportunity for our country to affirm itself culturally and in tourism and economic terms. A large number of various ethno-complexes, primarily intended for hospitality purposes, have been sprouting up all over Serbia for decades. Unfortunately, most of those creations are not architecturally “literate”, nor do they

have any genuine connection with tradition, but rather they represent unskilled and even tasteless interpretations of the rural architecture of our lands. Solutions that are properly inspired by the tradition of rural architecture and represent exemplary illustrations of that tradition, such as the works of Božidar Petrović and Blagota Pešić, are also present, though unfortunately to a much lesser extent, for now.

IF “INVESTOR URBANISM” IMPLIES PRIVATE INVESTORS WHO MANAGE –THROUGH CORRUPT DEEDS – TO HAVE PLANNING DOCUMENTS AMENDED TO FAVOUR THEM, THEN IT IS ON PAR WITH THE LEGAL PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION AND INFLUENCE PEDDLING AMONG INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANTS - DECISION MAKERS

GARDENS BY THE BAY, SINGAPORE

Beauty In The Gardens

Beyond the flora and fauna that live here, we can admire the Gardens’ iconic structures – architectural marvels that reimagine nature with artistic finesse.

Underlying the concept of Gardens by the Bay are the principles of environmental sustainability. Much effort was made to plan and design for sustainable cycles in energy and water throughout Bay South Garden.

Comprising two glass biomes, the Conservatories replicate the cool-dry climate of the Mediterranean and semi-arid sub-tropical regions and the cool-moist climate of the Tropical Montane region. They house a diverse collection of plants that are not commonly seen in this part of the world, some of which are of high conservation value.

DESIGNING FOR A RADICALLY CHANGING WORLD

We had the privilege of talking with Aleksandar Saša Zeljić, a Serbian architect who holds multiple positions, including Studio Director, Design Director, Regional Practice Area Leader, and Principal at Gensler, a glob-

al architecture, design, and planning firm that’s headquartered in Chicago. With an impressive career spanning over 22 years, Saša has amassed extensive expertise in a diverse range of complex and prestigious projects. He represented the perfect interlocutor for topics

spanning everything from major trends in the profession to personal experiences in designing the award-winning Shanghai Tower, Manila's Finance Centre Tower and World Plaza, as well as Chicago's Shirley Ryan Ability Lab and 333 North Green. Considering that he is also engaged in his home country, we also covered questions related to young Serbian architects and their work.

What do you consider as the major pressing issues being dealt with by contemporary architects?

— I think architects today are designing for a radically changing world that’s facing a multitude of concurrent challenges, including climate change, mobility, affordable housing, equitable design, or return to work, to name just a few. We must confront each of these critical challenges while always meeting the goal of improving experiences for all people. In the context of that complexity, collaborative problem-solving and design thinking can push boundaries, combining ideas, tools and approaches. Understanding that many of our global issues are interconnected, we must focus on multifaceted, integrated solutions. One example of how design can be a catalyst for major change is in our engagement with the climate crisis. As one of the most pressing issues we face today, climate change is impacted by a total of 40% of carbon emissions from the building industry, and so we have an opportunity to lead by making connections between clients and suppliers/manufacturers that can enable more productive and sustainable structures. We are also using strategic design thinking to create environmental responsibility and impact positively on communities by encouraging clients to increase their ESG goals, making buildings more desirable to tenants and investors.

Architects navigate a changing world, addressing climate change, mobility, affordable housing, equitable design and the return to work. Through collaboration and design thinking, they make efforts to offer solutions for a better life

ALEKSANDAR SAŠA ZELJIĆ

architect; AIA, NCARB, LEED BD+C; Studio Director, Design Principal, Director of Practices.Gensler, Chicago

With environmental stewardship as a core value, Gensler will eliminate all net emissions associated with our work by 2030. The Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3) is our roadmap for how we intend to help our clients reach their carbon targets and our goal of making every building in our portfolio net zero.

Which recent works of architecture, whether your own or someone else’s, do you see as defining the future trend in the field?

— Designing for a profoundly changing world is an opportunity for all of us in the building industry to make decisions that address challenges head on with creativity and innovation. Urban areas today contribute more than 80 per cent of global GDP. That’s set to increase as the world’s urban population will more than double by mid-century. Our focus must therefore be on cities and recognising trends that will drive their success. Cities succeed and flourish because of their ability to attract diverse groups of people with

a wide range of skills and perspectives. With this and Gensler’s annual research in mind, here are the top four trends and strategies in design. I will dub the first one “Reclaiming experience”. The absence of experience that we faced during the pandemic continues to remind people of how valuable human interaction is and how critical our spaces are in enriching our lives. By prioritising design strategies that primarily emphasise people’s needs and expectations, we can reclaim the human experience in the places where we live, work and play.

The second one is decarbonisation. Driven by the critical impact of climate change, decarbonising the built environment continues to be the imperative of our time. As ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and carbon disclosure mandates catalyse transformation in the construction industry, we will see more investments in sustainable design and construction strategies that sequester carbon in buildings and document the design details of a building’s

environmental and social impact.

The third one would be a lifework connection. The future of cities is being defined by their ability to reenergise the connection between life and work. The most vi-

brant cities of the future will be the ones that use design to successfully address the interconnected lifework issues of thriving workplaces, attainable housing, and safe and accessible transportation.

And finally, the fourth one would be equitable design. What do I mean by that? The demand for buildings and urban districts that have a higher purpose with a positive social impact will continue to drive design decisions. Creating a positive social impact means influencing everything from urban

WITH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AS A CORE VALUE, GENSLER WILL ELIMINATE ALL NET EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR WORK BY 2030

Shanghai Tower

master planning to building design, as we focus on how spaces and infrastructure can address things like growing inequality, aging populations and community engagement.

You have particular expertise in designing high-rise buildings that redefine the skylines of ma-

jor cities. What are the most significant challenges in designing these types of buildings? How does a building become iconic, and how did you feel when creating such edifices?

— Tall buildings are complex projects that require large, experienced teams and visionary clients, as well as local governments, to make them happen. I had an opportunity to be part of the team and lead the work on the design for Shanghai Tower, which – at 632 metres and 127 floors – is the world’s second tallest building. There are many challenges involved in the design of a building like this, from the impact of seis-

mic, lateral forces, the selection of a structural system, an efficient elevatoring strategy, fire, life and safety, through MEP Systems, energy use – I would say perhaps some 75% of these challenges are not obvious to anyone looking at the building from the outside and without diving deep to understand how it was done.

Moreover, buildings like this need to successfully fit the scale of pedestrian experience at the ground level, to be as inviting and pleasant to be around as they are a recognisable part of the future skyline. Lastly, they need to provide efficient functioning for their intended use. The majority of tall buildings are today mixeduse developments that have commercial, retail, hotel, or residential housing as programmes, coexisting in a single structure, and as such these buildings have additional layers of complexity that need to be considered carefully. I think solving all these challenges determine how successful and iconic a building is—being tall alone does not equate to a building being iconic.

Your career advancements are likely a dream for many young architects in Serbia who aspire to have an internationally recognised career. What recipe for success would you like to share with younger generations of architects, including those who are just starting their studies at the Faculty of Architecture? — I would encourage young colleagues and students to think beyond talent, hard work and perseverance. On your path towards success, it is also important early on to focus on developing your skills around collaboration, and your ability to listen and build partnerships. I think that, in any professional opportunity you have, you need to be focused on being patient and present in the moment and take time to learn and

THE ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSION IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE IDEA OF SERVING OTHERS AND PURSUING DREAMS THAT EXCEED ONE’S OWN LIMITATIONS

Shanghai Tower

grow as much as possible, while having a long view of what success means to you.

I would also say that you should learn to feel comfortable being uncomfortable at certain times, and to take risks in expanding your knowledge. Being humble about taking each of these steps towards building your career will help you understand that this profession is so much about serving others and achieving dreams that are bigger than you.

As a member of the international jury of the Council of the 45th Salon of Architecture held earlier this year, what were your major impressions regarding the quality of the submitted work and the ideas guiding the participants?

— It was a true privilege to be invited to be a juror at this year’s 45th Salon of Architecture. I appreciated the idea brought by the organisers around the necessity to develop a closer dialogue between the private and public sectors, developers/investors and local communities and academia. This kind of partnership, in which opposing points of view are often present, has positive impacts on fraternal communities, as dialogue is the only way to make true progress as we design our cities.

It was great to see projects that are being done by my colleagues practicing in Serbia and the region. I also enjoyed spending time reviewing the work of students and researchers. There were several categories of projects submitted. I think overall work quality was good. We had a lot of conversations at the level of the jury before we selected winners. Compared to where I practice, I think one of the key differences I see is in the scale of work, especially for architectural projects. Many of the projects submitted were of course smaller scale, which enabled a focus on craft and execution. I also

appreciated seeing work in the interior design category and seeing how the evolution of the workplace in Belgrade’s new offices is keeping pace with what we see in United States. I would also add that having an international jury was a very smart decision by the organisers, given the critical feedback practice needed to learn, course correct, and evolve with even greater work in the future.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THE TEAM AND LEAD THE WORK ON THE DESIGN FOR SHANGHAI TOWER, WHICH –AT 632 METRES AND 127 FLOORS – IS THE WORLD’S SECOND TALLEST BUILDING

The Finance Center, Manila, Design by Gensler

ARCHITECTURAL MATURITY COMES VIA THE ABSENCE OF FEAR

One of Belgrade’s most respected architectural studios comprises a team of almost 50 top professionals for whom each new project represents a new source of inspiration. It thus comes as no surprise that Bureau Cube Partners (BCP) was entrusted with three exceptionally important jobs: the reconstruction of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU); the reconstruction, extension and construction of additional new facilities within the scope of the Serbian Institute for Mother and Child Healthcare, as well as the reconstruction and extension of the Faculty of Fine Arts

For this CorD Magazine special, we interviewed three successful young women architects who play a significant role at BCP – a studio that pushes the boundaries by the day, setting new, higher standards – to discuss the biggest challenges of contemporary architecture and urban planning, the demands of modern man, global and local trends, new tools and trends, the need for lifelong learning and specialised training, the crisis of creativity, but also inspiration.

Your studio’s portfolio is impressive, as is the list of locations you've been engaged in and continue to work on. The demands of modern man far exceed former standards. Is this leading to rising demand for new residential complexes that offer, in addition to high-quality residential units, numerous other contents and services?

Milena Ivanović: Your assertion honestly makes us proud, which certainly obliges and additionally encourages our professional need

for dedication and satisfaction, to actually render architecture – as a science, an artistic discipline and, finally, as a systematised practical category – even more solid, useful and agreeable, authentically respecting the cohesive factors of its uniqueness based on Vitruvius’s timeless definition of architecture. Our studio, which comprises almost 50 exceptional colleagues, representing architects who are oriented and have very ably differentiated origins, is also recognisable for its extremely wide range of launched

MILENA IVANOVIĆ

urban planning group head, Bureau Cube Partners

SANJA KOSTIĆ

design group head, Bureau Cube Partners

MILENA KALINIĆ

design group head, Bureau Cube Partners

and implemented design challenges that are reflected in the design of architectural structures with various purposes, typological characteristics and functional distinctiveness.

When it comes to your question regarding qualities, standards and rising demand for residential units, which is undeniably high, it is important to stress that the term, formulated in the form of “needs of end users”, often changes appearance, matures, generates, improves and “persistently” upgrades itself in a qualitative sense. In this way, we –as members of our studio and the broader architectural community, with realistically acquired reputational criteria that have been maintained successfully to date - are set new boundaries that are accompanied by additional challenges. In that sense, concepts like luxury and comfort, which we almost always strive for, prompt an avalanche of distinctive unrecognisable forms, which are materialised in formats that time and again show that lifelong education and professional specialisation are essential.

Could you highlight some of the projects that you’ve worked on or are currently working on, and do so in relation to the aforementioned growing trends and demands?

Milena Kalinić: BCP architectural studio is currently participating actively in the process of designing several very complex residential-business developments that are distinctive in terms of content and form, the most current of which is the Buena Vista residential and commercial complex, which – following confirmation of the design concept and verification of the urban planning design project – is currently in the stage of obtaining essential documentation to launch the actual construction process.

This complex is located in the immediate vicinity of Košutnjak [Belgrade forest park], or more precisely in Kneza Višeslava Street. Apart from the nomination criteria for the form, artistic and distinctive aesthet-

ic characteristics, this project is also made interesting due to its exceptional technical and technological fitting, which is reflected in the applying of high standards regarding energy efficiency, and all this in accordance with extremely demanding spatial relationships and applied configuration principles.

Representing an additional advantage of the Buena Vista residential and commercial complex is that it testifies to applied principles of qualitative elements of contemporary architecture. Thus, firmitas-utilitas-venustas (strength-utility-beauty) in its full, existential format.

Elegant and fluid forms radiate sophistication and rhythm, while

the utilised high-quality materials and equipment, alongside flowing harmony and the functional uniformity of the “connective tissue”, set against interior and exterior frames, serve to additionally en-

BCP ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO PARTICIPATES ACTIVELY IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING SEVERAL VERY COMPLEX RESIDENTIAL-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE DISTINCTIVE IN TERMS OF CONTENT AND FORM

Buena Vista residential and commercial complex

hance the impression of constancy. Ellipsoidal elements, and the architectural rhapsody of their segments, coupled with a convex façade, introduce at the essence an element of serenity to the existing geometric playfulness and its spatial forms.

It isn’t easy to satisfy the expectations of clients, respect the local market and keep pace with global trends, but you nonetheless achieve it all. Does this mean that clients have unreserved faith in your expertise and dedication?

Milena Ivanović: Our relationship with clients is really based on trust. However, we consider the format of unreserved trust to be illusory, and as such simply non-existent. The profession itself teaches us that things are easily changeable, and that we must be ready to absorb the majority of qualified measurable factors of influence if we want to make

and through the product itself.

Of course, a successful final outcome is the only relevant measure that is evaluated almost as a base standard, but a successful outcome always comes at the end of a process that implicitly implies constant and serious financial investment, as well as other intangible investments in the expert specialisation of individuals and their professional education, in order to even be started. Our architectural studio provides all of this with indisputably recognisable results that are the reason we are still here with you today.

We often here talk of a crisis of creativity and a lack of original ideas in architecture, but your studio, as one of Belgrade’s extremely highly rated architectural studios, doesn’t have such problems. Where do your ideas come from; what inspires and motivates you to go a

reached, discouragement and capitulation are unrecognised emergent and conceptual categories. On the contrary – tenacity, perseverance, readiness to comprehend and understand mistakes, as well as the systemic articulating of the resulting shortcomings, represent a professional stride towards an assemblage of creative potential. The creative potential of an individual observed and validated through teamwork becomes part of the union of dozens of such assemblages that are filled with inspiring and motivating elements, which await their own opportunity.

Sanja Kostić: It has been noted that our studio comprises almost 50 exceptional architects, which also includes colleagues like Braca Ferenčak and professor Miša Mirković, who participated in the creating of the new architectural paradigm in the former Yugoslavia and represent true laureates of our profession, and a lot can be learned from them. When you approach the development of ideas with this knowledge, you know that nothing is impossible and everything is dependent on us alone. Architectural maturity comes via the absence of fear of the unknown, and that’s crucial to any form of creativity.

the degree of competitiveness at least slightly more difficult to achieve.

In dealing with architectural space at both a micro and macro level, we strive - in addition to spatial phenomena and general and special characteristics - to understand as well as possible the additional specifics and characteristics of the space’s end users.

Sanja Kostić: In accordance with the noted principles, we strive to always re-examine and check, testify to and present our expertise and professionalism, very consciously, never diffidently and silently, always clearly and completely precisely, uncompromisingly. We prove ourselves very proudly and effectively, both to ourselves and colleagues from the guild, through constant improvement, and to clients during the design process

step further with each new project?

Milena Kalinić: The concept, as a part of the creative postulates, and its subsequent systematisation through the unifying of elements that actually comprise the entire creative cycle, can be colloquially referred to as an idea that is most often a pseudonym for expressed individuality. However, the reality, and the full name of such a process, is rooted in completely clearly defined and essential teamwork, the spatial and functional articulation of which we control jealously from the outset to the final stage of the process.

Milena Ivanović: Our studio’s clearly established and determined protocols, with complete openness and indisputable expertise, contribute to the fact that even when moments of stagnation, conflict or transience are

Your team of architects strives to ensure that the architectural units and urban spaces it creates are always harmonised contextually and with the immediate surroundings. How difficult is it to coordinate between tradition and the demands of modern life?

Sanja Kostić: Frank Gehry said that architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness. This postulate led to the emergence of dissertations grounded in the values of contemporary architecture. Regardless of the juncture when you read Gehry, the cited claim always has the same meaning, which is why we strive to provide a contemporary architectural expression when forming new spatial compositions, regardless of the urban matrix within the scope of

AN ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGE AND RECOGNISABLE ELEMENT OF THE BUENA VISTA RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IS THAT IT TESTIFIES TO APPLIED PRINCIPLES OF QUALITATIVE ELEMENTS OF CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

which we operate. It is only in this way, by offering spatial responses and implementing compositional interventions materialised through individual structures, that we can additionally emphasise the level of originality of the epoch while avoiding mere interpretation, multiplication and reminiscence.

Is Serbia lagging behind the developed world when it comes applying modern trends in architecture and urban planning? Can Belgrade be compared with other world metropolises in this sense?

Milena Ivanović: If we conduct more thorough analysis of the spatial development of Belgrade, we can conclude that it has always been an inspiring spatial area, for both domestic and foreign architects. Our process of creating space is constantly changing and being complemented, both through our individual thought processes and experiences, and through new software tools that are more present today than ever before.

Construction regulations are often unable to keep pace with modern architectural trends. Mandato-

ry minimum criteria on the content of documentation are often insufficient for more serious spatial considerations. And it is precisely due to the aforementioned lacking documentation elements or similar factors that we resort to new processes, analytical methods and spatial/programmatic analyses, which – alongside legally mandatory elements –

form an integral part of our studio’s planning and design documentation. The creation of master plans, studio analyses and other extremely systemically complex research that we process through modern software tools and platforms, place us on the world map when it comes to the applying of modern and practically applicable development trends in architectural practice.

Foreign investment inflows are also largely dictated by the speed of development of our cities, and our readiness to adjust to domestic and foreign markets is reflected the most through the applying of new technologies. In accordance with this, it is professionally flippant to com-

EVEN WHEN MOMENTS OF STAGNATION, CONFLICT OR TRANSIENCE ARE REACHED, DISCOURAGEMENT AND CAPITULATION ARE UNRECOGNISED EMERGENT AND CONCEPTUAL CATEGORIES

Kosmaj Nature Community master plan

pare Belgrade’s urban development in relation to its rough recent history with the metropolises of Western Europe, though we believe that we are moving swiftly towards the elimination of that factor of frivolity.

Apart from your projects being exposed to the critical judgement of colleagues, the public as a whole, and end users, they must also stand the test of time.

Can that be simultaneously considered a challenge and good motivation?

Land is not a renewable resource, to begin with that challenge. Alongside various tools and their possibility to simulate the actual use of space, our testing ground is still represented by the city and its urban area. In accordance with this, every intervention is visible and critiques are implied; this is something we face time and again, regardless of its connotation and content. The moment we implement our idea from start to finish, additional motivation appears and constantly pushes us towards new challenges, and thus towards new achievements. The absence of criticism would prove disastrous for us, as it would imply that we are not worth mentioning.

First came the reconstruction of the building of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU), followed by the reconstruction and extension of the Faculty of Fine Arts? Does this project have special importance and significance for Bureau Cube Partners? It certainly does! Our team rejoices at the very thought that we can boast

THE PROCESS OF CREATING SPACE IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING AND BEING COMPLEMENTED, BOTH THROUGH INDIVIDUAL THOUGHT PROCESSES AND EXPERIENCES, AND THROUGH NEW SOFTWARE TOOLS

Campus of the Faculty of Fine Arts

of working on such significant edifices. It was a real challenge for our architectural studio – led by a team of authors comprising architects Milan D. Rašković, professor Miodrag Mirković and academic Branislav Mitrović – to go through several pre-qualification and qualification contests and tender processes and to gain the opportunity to submit designs. The FFA sculpture department was originally designed by academic Branislav Mitrović, who formally and essentially joined the team on the basis of this fact and our invitation.

When it comes to the Painting Department, as a separate unit, it is integrated into the newly designed FFA campus in Mila Milunovića Street, which from the aspect of architectural receptivity represents a unique multifunctional structure, and a formally clear and very complex synthesis, has been completely or rebuilt, or rather totally reconstructed, with the extending of the old structure and the building of a new one.

Additionally taking into consideration the morphological characteristics and versatility of the terrain, our response reflected in the newly designed entirety of the FFA Campus and our team’s outstanding cooperation with FFA representatives, we sincerely consider that we really have the right to be more than satisfied. As a final result, we gained a complex designed on the postulates of sustainability. The multifunctionality of the inner courtyard is reflected not only through the active use of the area of the park, but at the same time is also represented by the square, as a gathering place and a place for rest, work and painting, but also as a space where it is possible to organise exhibition and presentation events. The main purpose of the FFA Campus consists of studios, workshops, galleries and various typologically adaptable, multifunctional spaces –all in the function of implementing teaching processes in the study programmes of the painting and sculpture departments.

Your architectural studio has also provided an outstanding contribution to the theoretical development of architectural practice by producing publications intended for the broader architectural community. Could you tell us more about that, considering that this isn’t common practice in our country, especially given that all of the aforementioned emerged from the private direction of your studio?

Milena Kalinić: BCP, which highly values and believes in the degree of significance of its design experiences as a creative matrix, took the bold move of publishing systemically unified general guidelines and engineering recommendations for the design of specific architectural structures that are more broadly grouped into public purpose buildings. And in so doing, through two separate publications, encompassed the buildings of the higher and public prosecutor’s offices, on the one hand, and the buildings of social protection services, on the other. Both publications contain

rules and engineering recommendations that are systematised through respect for the discourse of all engineering disciplines. They can prove extremely helpful to our engineer colleagues in the treating of their functional disposition, spatial organisation and formative receptivity, as well as in the selection of technical and technological methodologies of architectural design, but also designing in accordance with other engineering disciplines that are essential for their contemporary feasibility and exploitation.

Engineering recommendations and instructions for the design of public buildings – the Centre for Social Work and the Basic and Higher Public Prosecutor’s Offices

The fact that BCP independently implemented all the required processes to ensure these publications saw the light of day is something that particularly motivates us when it comes to establishing the actual needs of our architectural environment, both in theoretical and practical architectural creativity, and additionally, at least in an attempt to establish the lower limit of values and according to which the architectural practice in our country has to be sustainable and valued.

BUREAU CUBE PARTNERS HAS PROVIDED AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE BY PRODUCING PUBLICATIONS INTENDED FOR THE BROADER ARCHITECTURAL COMMUNITY

RIBBON CHAPEL, HIROSHI NAKAMURA & NAP

Flow Of Movement

Positioned midway up a hill, the chapel offers a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. Mainly designated for hosting wedding celebrations, this chapel is located within the premises of a resort hotel, BellaVista SPA&MARINA ONOMICHI, in Onomichi, Hiroshima. The aisle leading to the altar can be likened to the trajectory of life and is filled with various recollections and emotions. The aim was to compose the space with the path itself and to be close to the excitement of the bride and groom and the thoughts of the attendees. The nuptial ceremony is performed within this chapel by having the bride and groom ascend the separate staircases to meet at the summit, where they seek absolution from the heavens to unite as one and pronounce their vows. The two individuals who were once walking distinct paths now merge into a single entity at the zenith and subsequently descend the stairs in unison. It is essentially an architecture purely composed of flow of movement.

dipl. ing. arch, Founder & Owner, MAPA Architects

LET’S PRESERVE VALUABLE RESOURCES

MAPA Architects is a Belgrade studio that deals – alongside architectural design – with the development of investment, design and project management, consulting services and specialised structures

In this special CorD Magazine interview, one of Serbia’s best, most awarded and most sought-after architects evaluates the current state of architecture and the construction industry, discussing, amongst other things, the relationship between investors and architects, the quality and aesthetics of newly constructed major residential complexes and the utilisation of space.

Do you like what you see when you look at what’s around you?

The kind of architecture we create, and the kind of architecture we live, is very important. When it comes to designing, it is necessary to observe the programme from multiple aspects and the kind of impacts it has on the environment, nature and users, but also consumers. Those interrelations in the space that we all share, the built structures and environments into which we incorpo-

“Architecture is the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light,” Le Corbusier

rate our works, and that which we inherit and leave behind as a legacy, are all extremely important.

As an observer, I’m not delighted with the kind of environment we are building, which on the whole relates to large swathes and complexes that are called by various empathetic names, but that’s not what they represent, nor do they leave such an impression. On the other hand, architects understand their responsibility for all spatial interventions, and I consider that on the micro front that relationship has been raised to a high level. It is expected that this will slowly transfer to the macro front, with the maturing of the notion of the need of the architect and leaving it to the profession to do its job of making the built environment better. A spent resource is like a bad tattoo, which is why it’s crucial to consider, organise design

PREDRAG MILUTINOVIĆ

Mind Office park, photo Relja Ivanić

Photo: Nebojša Babić

contests and seek out the best solutions for key spaces and large complexes.

Does it seem to you that micro-planning has been causing problems on the macro front in our country for quite some time?

This interdependence impacts greatly on the quality of the built environment, of the space. Space is a resource, and constructed space represents a message, an attitude and a response. It is easier to intervene and have a design influence on the micro front, but there are also some opposing factors. It is often the case that a location doesn’t correspond in terms of infrastructure with what the dimensions and spatial limitations permit. A lot of time is required to properly plan and equip infrastructure to cope with all these micro interventions, but there isn’t enough consistency to create a framework and find time for planning documents to be adopted and respected.

The arrival of foreign investments has enabled the explosive growth of the construction industry. How has this been reflected in terms of creativity?

The construction industry market stabilises with the arrival of foreign investments, but the impact on creativity can be interpreted in different ways. More precisely, when the measurability of the ratio of gross, net and price sees architecture inserted into an xsl table, that table has little space for creativity, particularly when it relates to commercial and residential buildings. The freedom for creativity varies depending on the typology of the structure. I think that freedom in the creative approach is felt the most in office spaces and industrial structures, and I would highlight the fact that it is also nurtured in total design.

Every investor has their own specificities, desires and expectations, while the same goes for the designer. How difficult is this to harmonise?

It isn’t easy on either side, and everything starts with choice. In principle, the first choice is made by the investor, and the final choice is made by the architect through their acceptance, so expectations should be envisaged from the outset. Of course, this is all different in projects done in cooperation with real estate companies, investors in commercial facilities for the market or when it comes to private investments. The more participants

engaged in the process, the more difficult it is. Knowledge, interest, understandings of participation differ and harmonise everything isn’t easy. My approach is that the needs of the investor must be respected, but with the view that the architect is the first among equals, because we are called on to create and bear responsibility in multiple ways.

This balancing and follow-up and exchange between us and the client during

even exist on our market. I consider that a wonderful opportunity to exchange approaches and knowledge, particularly on projects not previously done here or that involve specific approaches and specialisations. That’s a wonderful opportunity for exchange, because they must have local partners. Foreign designers bring one form of a freer approach and attitude towards design and investors, which should

the design process is very important, and high-quality channelling leads to the achieving of good results.

How do you view the ever-increasing opening up of our market to foreign architectural designers?

I had the opportunity, more than 15 years ago, to work on some of the first projects in our country with conceptual solutions that came from foreign colleagues, such as SOM, MYS Architects, WATG, Virgile and Stone. I learnt a lot on them at a time when such an approach and building typology didn’t

also become the practise in our country. With this I don’t consider that the domestic scene is lagging behind foreign ones in any way, but we need opportunities and I hope there will be ever more of them.

Aesthetics or functionality or always both aesthetics and functionality?

Always both aesthetics and functionality. A clear function provides a space with a basic aesthetic. That spatial balance of architectural massing, sense of proportion, gives architecture its aesthetics. Form used to follow function, while now that has flipped.

THE NEEDS OF THE INVESTOR MUST BE RESPECTED, BUT THE ARCHITECT IS THE FIRST AMONG EQUALS, BECAUSE WE CREATE AND BEAR RESPONSIBILITY IN MULTIPLE WAYS

Mixed-use complex, Mapa Arhitects

CORPORATE

TRUSTED AND SUCCESSFUL

With offices in Belgrade and Novi Sad, Tivat and London, Arhi.pro has positioned itself as an influential player on the international stage. Renowned for its intelligent and technically advanced architectural design, they boast a multidisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional results.

Aprominent international Design and Build practice based on architectural design and construction, Arhi.pro has established itself as a leading force in the industry with a diverse portfolio of locally and internationally acclaimed projects.

Founded in 2002 by Anja Ivana Milic and Aleksandar Milic, Arhi.pro started as a small architectural studio in Belgrade, Serbia, and has

since grown into a trusted and successful company with a global presence. With offices in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Tivat, and more recently in London, Arhi.pro has positioned itself as an influential player on the international stage. The company's workforce now exceeds 200 professionals, including some 100 engineers specializing in Architecture and Planning, Structural Design, MEP Design, BIM Services, Construction, and Furniture Design

and manufacturing.

Using the most efficient software for 2D and 3D design (such as Revit, Rhinoceros, and AutoCAD), the architects excel in their craft. They are supported by skilled graphic teams that produce computer generated imagery for presentation and marketing. Furthermore, many of their architects and designers are experts in parametric design allowing the creation of unique geometric solutions rarely seen on the local architectural scene. Under one brand, architects, structural engineers, landscape architects, interior designers, electrical, HVAC and plumbing engineers collaborate seamlessly to bring visions to life.

Arhi.pro stands as a leader in Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the region, an essential digital process that facilitates collaborative design, construction, and management of buildings and infrastructure projects by integrating information and enabling effective decision-making throughout a building's lifecycle. Arhi.pro actively showcases its extensive experience by participating in BIM conferences and education as a board member of BIM

Office BuildingNavigator, New Belgrade, Serbia

Investor: MPC

Serbia. The company has recently celebrated the completion of one million square metres of architectural projects in Revit (the most prominent BIM design software). Besides this, Arhi.pro is a member of the Institute of Standardization of Serbia, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the British-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, underscoring its commitment to excellence and adherence to international standards of design and business.

Arhi.pro is a strong advocate for sustainable and green design, having played an active role in the Green Building Council of Serbia and Montenegro. Emphasizing the promotion and education of green building standards, innovation, and technologies, the company remains at the forefront of environmentally conscious design and construction. And perhaps most notably, it is the first office to author a design awarded a LEED Gold certificate in Serbia, a certificate issued by the U.S. Green Building Council for Energy and Environmental Design excellence. This acknowledgement was awarded to the IT Park project in Indjija.

Setting itself apart from competitors, Arhi.pro boasts a comprehensive suite of services, encompassing both design and construction. The construction department, alongside the furniture manufacturing branch, ensures seamless project delivery. This unique capability solidifies Arhi.pro as the only all-disciplinary Design & Build specialist in the region. The construction department has successfully completed major projects including the prestigious BW Magnolia building at Belgrade Waterfront, where Arhi.pro served as the general contractor.

The furniture design and production department, known as Arhi.pro Furniture, focuses on meticulous furniture design, material procurement, and manufacturing of both fixed and loose furniture. Equipped with state-of-the-art ma-

chinery for wood and steel-based materials, the workshop guarantees exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Arhi.pro

Furniture has a portfolio of successfully produced furniture for many notable clients with high standards for the use of materials, timing of production and assembly or shipping arrangements.

The impressive reputation of Arhi.pro extends beyond its local projects, as the company has collaborated with renowned architectural names such as SOM, MVRDV, BDP, Gensler, and many others on successful international ventures. This network of partnerships fur-

Office BuildingGreen Escape, New Belgrade, Serbia

Investor: Imel Group

Business InteriorGreen Escape, New Belgrade, Serbia

Investor: Imel Group

ther enhances Arhi.pro's global influence and reaffirms its commitment to excellence.

Arhi.pro continues to reshape the architectural landscape, pushing the boundaries of design and construction. With a focus on intelligent solutions, sustainability and multidisciplinary collaboration, the company stands as a beacon of innovation in the industry. From concept to completion, Arhi.pro turns architectural visions into tangible realities, leaving a lasting imprint on the built environment.

Arhi.pro offers a comprehensive range of design services, including Architecture, BIM, Interior Design, Structural Design, MEP Design, Landscape Design, Furniture Design, Lighting Design, Design Project Management, and CGI. On the construction front, the company provides Construction Works, Fitting Works, Furniture Manufacturing, Construction Project Management, Electrical Works, Smart Systems, Plumbing Works, and Mechanical Works.

THE COMPANY HAS RECENTLY CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF ONE MILLION SQUARE METERS OF ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS IN REVIT, THE MOST PROMINENT BIM DESIGN SOFTWARE

DANILO GRAHOVAC

Studio A&D architects CEO

CREATIVITY IS BUILT

The rich portfolio of Studio A&D architects provides the best testimony that facilities like schools, hospitals, nursing homes and student dormitories can look “like catalogue presentations”. The facilities that they work on are created in accordance with the needs of users and real world conditions

With his team of young, professional and dedicated architects, and by responding to the needs of every client, Danilo Grahovac has built both a name and a renowned practice. They approach every project with the same enthusiasm and professionalism, regardless of scale and budget, while the team’s great passion also preserving the honour of the profession.

You succeed in giving everything a personal touch and not compromise on quality. Is that very important to you?

— There are always pressures to compromise and they aren’t always easy to resist, but we strive to do so. Budget restrictions in our reality are

textures, which is pandered to by the marketing of producers of construction materials and technological systems. The purpose of a house isn’t to be smart or dumb, but rather to satisfy the user’s requirements, to be a shelter and a refuge, a home, a workplace, an institute for help and care, and a high-quality and businesslike approach requires concessions and creative considerations in order to ensure the project doesn’t deviate from the basic requirement.

You don’t hide the fact that public sector facilities and public purposes are your greatest passion. Where did that come from?

Would we be mistaken in claiming that your standards exceed the national average?

a consequence of the understanding of society’s materialist concept.

It is essential to teach all stakeholders about the appeal of that which is beautiful in the environment that is given to us unreservedly. Over and over again. And we still have the strength to fight the pressures, more or less successfully. Thanks to the internet, architecture has turned into a catalogue selection of colours and

— Happiness is the result of four factors: knowhow, work, talent and perseverance. When all those elements are satified, the result is inevitable, and that’s something I believe in deeply. Our oeuvre is based on facilties of a public nature and I consider myself fortunate that we’re not a classic bureau that’s mainly engaged in the construction of residential properties. When it comes to public facilities, the most important thing is to satisfy the demands of users, employees, and everyone who will use those facilities. There are really a lot of them and they differ greatly. I’m personally inspired by considering the habits, obligations and activities of different users of, for instance, a hospital or an airport. Between us, I find that a lot of fun, and where there is fun there can be satisfaction with the result.

— Domestic standards are scandalous, to put it as mildly as possible. In social protection for example, the standards defined by bylaws are formulated in such a way that existing infrastructure and facilities somehow “pass” some sort of oversight or inspections. Due to the constant negligence and carelessness of users, employees and all others, the conditions are extremely bad. If some kind of human minimums were applied for the quality of space, not a single facility would be permitted to function. In that sense, over the last 10 years there has been far greater understanding for the approach thart we insist on.

From where do you draw inspiration?

— I like to say that everything around us was created by architects. From the first caveman builder, via Egyptian masons and Michelangelo to this day. Every street, house, school and barracks. Everything apart from nature, which I suppose was created by God. Inspiration for every man is in his surroundings. Creativity is something that’s built with a lot of exploration, travel and discovery. Of course, everyone will now say that our environment isn’t inspiring. That’s because not everyone has imagination. I adapted my surroundings to suite me and am teaching my team to do the same. Beauty surrounds us everywhere... provided you want to see it. And if you don’t see it, close your eyes.

OUR OEUVRE IS BASED ON FACILTIES OF A PUBLIC NATURE AND I CONSIDER MYSELF FORTUNATE THAT WE’RE NOT A CLASSIC BUREAU THAT MAINLY DEALS WITH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

THE AIRPORT PROVED A MAJOR CHALLENGE

Apart from being active on the local market, Kapaprojekt has also been present in Russia, Switzerland, France and the countries of the region for a full three decades. This company is known for its top quality in drafting design project documentation for all types of buildings and managing investments from preliminary design to full implementation

At this successful Serbian company based in Niš, which has been pushing the boundaries of contemporary architecture since its inception, they believe that achieving top results requires – apart from amassing a wealth of domestic and international experience –constantly improving projects with the use of new technologies.

Few companies provide the kind of top quality work that you have, for a full three decades. We congratulate you...

— We thank you for recognising us as one of the leading companies in Serbia. Our great experience and dedicated work over the 30 years of our existence has placed us on the map of successful companies in Serbia.

Apart from being present on the Serbian market, you are also active in Russia, Switzerland, France and the countries of the region. You have amassed many significant buildings constructed for major investors, and we’re sure there are some that represent highlights and stand out...

— We were already working for the Russian market a lot back in the 1990s and 2000s. We had a bureau in Moscow and worked with the biggest companies on the market. I would

highlight one of the most significant projects: the Gazprom administration building, covering almost 80,000m². We learnt a lot from that and gained significant references. Among the more recent projects, I would single out Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, for client Vinci Terna. We’ve been working on this project for three years and have been finishing the work in recent months. Airports are a complex discipline, and that is particularly so with this one, where reconstructions and extensions were carried out, and everything was unified to form a new, functional whole. It was a massive challenge to coordinate, in an architectural and constructional sense, with the construction of new phases and providing for the smooth func-

tioning of the airport during the period of the project’s implementation.

How are the boundaries of contemporary architecture shifting?

— In its enduring development to date, the company has monitored emerging new technologies, the development of modern construction materials and building systems. This is a constant process of educating designers, who must monitor and follow new trends and technological innovations, in the form of system solutions, as well as the materialisation of facilities and the need for new, innovative and functional solutions. We can note that the needs and demands of the clients themselves constantly change in line with the development of technology globally.

Architecture has become a multidisciplinary field, because an architect must be familiar with new tech-

ALEKSANDAR STOJANOVIĆ

CEO and chief design architect, Kapaprojekt

nological processes of construction, on the one hand, and with software, on the other. When it comes to tools for project design, here also things have changed drastically: from rapidograph pens and tracing paper, via computer-based work in, for example. the AutoCAD program, which is the most commonly represented tool, to the application of BIM technology in design. I must mention that all those BIM technologies in architecture and construction, which we have been applying for several years already, are just tools that enable us to create higher quality project and technical documentation. Given that behind all technical tools stands just a man-engineer-designer, we try to educate our employees in every sense.

One of the most significant projects to be highlight is the Belgrade Nikola Tesla Aiport, covering almost 70,000m²

ARCHITECTURE HAS BECOME A MULTIDISCIPLINARY FIELD, BECAUSE AN ARCHITECT MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH NEW TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF CONSTRUCTION, ON THE ONE HAND, AND WITH SOFTWARE, ON THE OTHER

DESIGN FORECAST 2023

10 META TRENDS SET TO TRANSFORM THE FUTURE OF CITIES

Mobility, multifamily, and multipurpose—will be common and key drivers of design across many practice areas, according to Gensler’s Design Forecast 2023, based on the international firm’s work in more than 80 countries.

The abiding premise of this 189-page report, published by Gensler Research Institute, is that the world is changing radically, and design must respond accordingly with bold new ideas if it’s to impact this transformation of buildings and cities. “Crisis and change have taught us a new way to approach design at Gensler,” write the firm’s co-CEOs Diane Hoskins and Andy Cohen. “It is an ongoing process, where research leads to experimentation and new ideas, which, in turn, lead to further investigations, discoveries, and motivations.”

The forecast identifies 10 megatrends—culled from the firm’s 29 practiceareas—thatGenslerbelieves will transform the future of cities:

01 RECLAIMING EXPERIENCE TREND

The absence of experience faced during the pandemic continues to remind people of how valuable human interaction is and how critical our spaces are when it comes to enriching our lives.

STRATEGY

By prioritising design strategies

that emphasise people’s needs and expectations, we can reclaim the human experience in the places where we live, work and play.

02 LIFE-WORK CONNECTION TREND

The future of cities is being defined by their ability to reenergise the connection between life and work.

STRATEGY

The future’s most vibrant cities will be those that use design to successfully address the interconnected life-work issues of thriving workplaces, attainable housing, and safe and accessible transportation.

03 BUILDING TRANSFORMATION TREND

Stranded assets are creating development opportunities that can regenerate cities and transform outdated office buildings into thriving residential living.

STRATEGY

As real estate worldwide ages, building owners and developers are leveraging adaptive reuse strategies — specifically office-to-residential conversion — to transform stranded assets and create vibrant life-work districts and high-value properties.

04 ATTAINABLE HOUSING TREND

Rising interest rates and inflation are creating a larger opening for multifamily development that could finally address the global shortage of attainable housing.

STRATEGY

As urban communities and central business districts are redesigned, attainable housing becomes a key feature of the type of life-work, mixed-use neighbourhoods that will redefine the future of cities.

05 DECARBONISATION TREND

The decarbonisation of the built environment continues to be the imperative of our time.

1 - Willis Tower Repositioning, Chicago

2 - The River District, New Orleans

3 - 1 St Clair Ave West, Toronto

4 - Lower Hill District Mixed-Use Redevelopment, Pittsburgh

5 - Related Companies, South Congress Office Building, Austin

STRATEGY

As ESG and carbon disclosure mandates catalyse transformation in the construction industry, the world will see more investments in sustainable design and construction strategies that sequester carbon in buildings and document the design details of a building’s environmental and social impact.

06 MOBILITY TREND

The mobility shift is continuing to unfold, paving the way for more

life-work cities and vibrant urban communities.

STRATEGY

The shift to new forms of electric and autonomous vehicles and public transportation will allow cities to redesign underused urban districts into mixed-use life-work communities.

07 EQUITABLE DESIGN TREND

The demand for buildings and urban districts that have a higher purpose with a positive social im-

6 - BMW Designworks Future of Mobility, Los Angeles

8 - Jabil Global Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Fla.

7 - Newark Community Museum of Social Justice, Newark, N.J.

pact will continue to drive design decisions.

STRATEGY

Creating positive social impact is influencing everything from urban master planning to building design, as a focus is placed on the way spaces and infrastructure can address things like growing inequality, aging populations and community engagement.

08 INTELLIGENT PLACES TREND

PropTech and smart building technology will redefine the experience of places.

STRATEGY

Sensors, IoT and other smart property technologies and apps can create far more curated experiences for tenants, while providing developers with the data and insights they need to design better spaces.

09 FLIGHT TO QUALITY TREND

Office tenants are continuing their flight to quality.

STRATEGY

Tenants will continue their flight to quality — and their flight to experience — giving a competitive advantage to Class A spaces in prime locations with the right mix of high-quality amenities in and around the building.

10 THE OFFICE AS A DESTINATION TREND

The transformation of the workplace continues, with offices that are compelling destinations with a diverse collection of spaces and experiences.

STRATEGY

The office has an important role to play in the future of work, but only if we curate experiences and design compelling destinations for employees that include a mix of spaces that make it easy for individuals and teams to focus and connect.

Source: Gensler

9 - Lumina Shanghai, Shanghai, China

10 Insight HQ, Chandler, Ariz.