Iva Petković

1.You are heading a team that is building a new neighbourhood in Luštica Bay; from a design perspective, how do you feel Centrale being the nucleus of the town?

You will always meet Iva Petković on the field - at the construction sites of Centrale and Iris Residences. Apart from being the architectural ambassador for both projects, Iva is also an ambassador of good energy amongst her colleagues. Iva has only recently joined the team; she is managing two construction sites and is always working in synergy with the original vision.

Each neighbourhood in Luštica Bay utilizes the space it is built within and offers different values for homeowners; Centrale is like the connecting glue creating a bond between the golf and marina village. It also comes as a seamless continuation of the city core of Radovići. Its central location gives the development an additional edge, offering a beautiful mix of homey yet contemporary propositions. Centrale is synonymous with convenience, as it encompasses all the essential facilities and a lively ‘city feel’, paired with its connection to the old forest and the greenery ideal for relaxation and recreation. In short, the neighbourhood becomes a unique blend of nature’s optimal encounter with authentic architecture.

2.In Luštica bay, we reflect the art of living in everything we do, and we say it’s the place where neighbours become friends; how is that implemented in terms of design and architectural layouts?

The coexistence of natural and built environments is a unique value in Centrale; each cluster within the complex builds on the humans’ natural need for social interaction through its communal spaces, while still maintaining the need for privacy of each home.

The same idea is reflected at the Piazza, which is another public landmark for culture and events at Centrale. A sports game, a busy day at work, a shared meal at one of the Piazza outlets, or a walk through one of the parks; it all makes Centrale a small vibrating city within a bigger town, offering people the chance to gather and simply enjoy life.

3.You are always present at the construction site of Centrale and Iris Residences; do you find any challenges as a female to be surrounded by the male-dominated construction industry? Has it ever bothered you that there aren’t enough women doing the construction work? Why?

The Construction site is where all design aspirations and execution processes are put to the test. Despite all the research and preplanning phases, little things can come up and hinder the implementation of agreed on design details, which is why it is crucial to be meticulous and detail oriented. I have grown so much through this process and developed a much better attitude towards construction sites, compared to my early career days; designs on paper and their execution in reality must work in absolute harmony. As a woman, I always bring a different kind of awareness to the site, which I like to merge with other engineers’ experiences, and I trust that symbiosis more than it being bothersome. Working at a construction site can be physically demanding sometimes, but it is motivating to see the clarity of design come to life.

4.What is a perk of working in this industry that most people don’t know about?

Observing ideas develop and grow; the process from visualization to realization is quite complicated and entails harmony and imagination, as well as practical knowledge. Each project we work on is like a new field of research to tap into, and the flexibility of disciplines and processes, provides a broader picture and understanding, creating a pool of endless possibilities to work with. It’s hard to be bored when you’re an architect, there’s never a dull moment!

“Working at a construction site can be physically demanding sometimes, but it is motivating to see the clarity of design come to life.”

5.What makes you proud of your work?

It is quite motivating to understand that with one little comment you can affect a number of processes and impact the result. We are all involved in a great deal of decisionmaking, and it needs a very multidisciplinary approach for all the designs to become real. The challenges make me love my job more; I find it very dynamic and complex. I’m always inspired by my colleagues who work around the clock but remain with welcoming attitudes and pleasant energies. We all show up to work excited to start the new day.