Stefana Simic Design Portfolio

Contemplation: Mathieu Ricard Arles, France

Contemplation is an exhibition of the photographs of the renowned philosopher Matthieu Ricard: a composition of forty exclusive works, in black and white and in large format, printed on Awagami paper, produced using a Japanese technique 1,400 years old.

at the Recontre dÁrles

Color coded bamboo harvested to specified diameters and cut to millimetric precision.

Contemplation Pavilion under construction by VINCI in Arles, France

Aqua Mater: Sebastiao Salgado Paris, France

Aqua Mater is an exhibition of photographs by renown Franco-Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado. It is an invitation to raise awareness of environmental issues and the installation immerses visitors in an exotic atmosphere with photographic and musical creations on the theme of water and mist.

Paris, France

Exhibit of Sebastiao Salgado

Aqua Mater Pavilion was built by VINCI in Paris, France.

Aqua Mater Pavilion under construction in Place de La Defense, Paris, France.

2022 Paris, France

Aqua Mater by Sebastiao Salgado 1000m2

The Majlis

The Majlis means meeting place and traditionally it serves as the link between personal and public space, where one would greet guests. It is a space of dialogue, cultural exchange and a place where community can be created.

Exterior Render

The Majlis is the first designed and built prototype for the Caravane Art Village, a nomadic pop up village in the desert and sand dunes of Qatar.

The structure is comprised of laminated bamboo bows and eliptical beams made in Colombia and is covered with textiles hand woven by weavers in Morocco. The interior is meant to be inviting and simple, to welcome guests when they first arrive to the village.

Morocco

Working with the Ain Leuh Women’s Cooperative in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, we developed custom textile panels for the enclosure of the Majlis.

Weaving textiles is a slow process and the craft is inspired by regional traditions and geographical surroundings. The weavers carry deep knowledge in natural dyeing, yarn spinning and traditional weaving.

However, because younger generations see no perspective or financial stability in this knowledge, there is a chance these women will be the last who practice this astounding craft.

Colombia

Bamboo craftsmen prefabricated the structural elements out of laminated Guadua bamboo to millimetric precision.

Technical drawings of two different bamboo bow types.

Due to travel restrictions during COVID pandemic neither the craftsmen from Colombia nor the weavers from Morocco could go to Venice to do the installation. In Venice, a local carpet maker installed the textile panels.

Caravane Art Village

The Caravane Art Village is an exploration in envisioning a temporary and nomadic village in the deserts and sand dunes of Qatar. The Village is a place that honors and gives shelter to artisans practicing traditional crafts.

All architectural designs feature laminated bamboo elements that would be prefabricated in Colombia with woven textile enclosures that would be made in Morocco with the traditional Bedouin craft.

The Art Village in the Desert is Caravane Foundation’s flagship project designed for arid and semi-arid environments. It is assembled annually for human beings to gather, exchange knowledge and develop skills for living on Earth. It is a place to cultivate interconnectivity between the thoughts, words as actions we use live with ourselves, each other and nature.

The Village will host an annual Arts Residency, Learning Centre and Lodge. Craftsmen, craftswomen, designers, storytellers, entrepreneurs, architects, engineers, philosophers and activists will gather to address the human dilemma in one of the challenging places on the planet. Together, they will develop solutions to living together, as Caravane provides home hospitality and experiential tourism to guests from around the world.

of original

Handdrawing of original

Children’s Workshop

This workshop will host weekend programmes and camps for children.

Whether the topic of the programme is animation, circus, theatre, music or craft, the central aim is to provide an environment for children to realise they are part of one big world; teaching minds to be conscious, hearts to be compassionate and hands to be skilful.

Family House

The Family House is ideal for families or groups of close friends to share memories. Its bamboo living room is ideal for meaningful gatherings, and the bedrooms give space for seclusion. A large terrace allows guests to watch sunsets and observe the stillness of the desert without leaving home.

Music Seminary

The Music Seminary features a domed central space surrounded by a large terrace. The round design aims to support music as a vocation and facilitate multicultural, interfaith heritage exchange. With the Music Seminary, Caravane calls for spiritual awakening through sound. In order to activate our collective musical memory and stimulate such a social transformation, the Seminary hosts a diverse range of programmes with masters and musicians representing various traditions.

The Textile Atelier

The Textile Atelier is a place for full cycle of a garment production. From sketching to sampling, spinning to weaving and designing to marketing, this collaborative research space will look into ethical clothing production for today’s market. It is a unique opportunity for students and professionals to be part of a transparent and gentle process.

Guest House

A small one bedroom bungalow for a small family to have a peaceful stay in the desert. Featuring textile panel enclosures and a large terrace to catch the refreshing desert breeze while sheltering one from the harsh sun.

Shade Structure

A versatile shade structure made of laminated bamboo elements anchored to timber footings. The shade structure can be used as a stable for camels or as a shaded gathering space for guests.

Casas del Cielo

Casas del Cielo is a mix-material construction at urban scale utilizing bamboo (or could be round timber) as the defining architectural feature. Each floor has a wrap around terrace and undulating pergola that creates an intimate human scale even at urban heights. The natural materials in all the finishes give a luxurious tropical home feel at every floor.

The Arrival to the building.

The Entrance to the building.

Interior View of the Common Area

Infinity Pool in the Common Area is elevated at tree canopy level.

The Dog House

Creation of a stone dog house, strategically positioned underneath the long stair entrance to the main living area. The design features repurposed old stones coming from demolished colonial era homes of La Candelaria, Bogota as well as antique sculptures depicting lions sourced from Indonesia.

ensure proper insulation from ground moisture.