Interviews with Ivana Lukovic

To clarify my aims about this project, it would be necessary to introduce you with the characteristics of the existing situation that I found at the site. It was a plan with surface of 97m2 that occupied the parts of both seventh and eighth floor of the residence that dealt with numerous problems: two levels were connected by very uncomfortable spiral staircase, bathrooms at both levels were without natural light and ventilation, a large part of the second level space under the roof didn’t have any purpose due to the insufficient height, the whole place had single orientation and the external walls along with the roof not properly insulated. Also, the first level was divided by walls in several places, without visual contact, neither between them nor with the upper level, so the general impression was of a more compact space.
In order to deal with all these serious disadvantages, but also to emphasize powerful points of the place, we had to apply radical approach, quite daring and unusual for the local circumstances: all the existing walls, easy assembly ceilings, concrete beams and wooden roof construction were removed from the space. The only remaining elements were walls that were defining the borders of the property. A new, leaner, more elegant metal construction was introduced, enabling us to create a more desirable plan for both levels, allowing them at the same time to penetrate each other.
Thus, retaining the existing volume, we succeeded to gain additional 13m2 of habitable surface and acceptable height of the second level walkway, which is the main connection between staircase and private area. Furthermore, thanks to the newly created eleven roof openings, every single space - public, private, or auxiliary has natural light and ventilation, while framing spatio- temporal viewing experience. In the center of the first level, a transitional, in- between space is established, a kind of a special place with greenery that functions both as an extension of the exterior, with open roof and façade door during the summer, as well as a part of the interior, closed and protected, in the winter. Another place with greenery and the light from the above is brought in front of both bathrooms, transforming them into sensational affair “per se”.

I would like to see it published in relevant architectural and interior design magazines.

It was about a six-month process that included detailed drawings for the site, renderings, and all necessary permits. Because of the challenging circumstances, I thought that it was important to dedicate time and to be well prepared before the commencement of the realization.

Apartment 24 used to belong to my late parents and its unrecognized potential was always intriguing me. After their departure, I have decided to transform the space filled with fond memories into something contemporary, functional, and beautiful. This decision placed me in an exciting as well as challenging position, in which, for the first time, I had to play both roles of a Client and an Architect as well.

I think that I have already answered this question (please, see above). I would just like to comment that this particular space is experienced by my family, me and my wonderful friends.

It was an emotional project, which helped me to deal with a loss of my parents and also placed me in the exciting position, in which I had to play both roles of a Client and an Architect as well, as I have already explained above.

It is always employment of different subjects of interests that are waiting patiently in your memory to become the initial point of the creative departure, rather than particular design/designer.

It could be any sensitive human being with ability to experience the serenity and sensuality of this space.

Despite the constraints that we had to face due to the particularity of the existing situation, we have achieved a surprising, uncommon transformation of the space.

Apartment 24 means exactly what it says: it is situated in the multi-apartment dwelling, numbered 24.

The tools that I always use: pens, pencils, color pencils, brushes, different software.

It is the effect of natural light coming through eleven light wells that creates ever-changing scenery.

Because of the complexity of the intervention, beside my usual collaborators in my Athens Studio, a number of dedicated professionals from various construction fields, coming from several countries had to be involved in the project, coordinated in three languages. Regarding joinery work, all wooden parts were created in Athens workshop and then transported to the site in Belgrade for the assembling.

Design process was supported by following software: Autodesk AutoCAD 2013; Autodesk 3ds Max 2017; Vray Render3.4; Adobe Photoshop cs6; Adobe Acrobat

Research was done regarding impact of natural light on the newly created space and materials applied. Numerous samples of terrazzo, birch plywood and walnut veneer were done to find the appropriate finish for this design.

The real potential of the space was recognized in the conventional layout and transformed into something contemporary and functional. The adopted strategy was quite daring, but only by introducing a new, metal construction, additional 13m2 of habitable space and appropriate height of the second level could have been gained, without violating the existing volume and borders of the property. The realization of the project was taking place in the central Belgrade dense urban tissue on the seventh and eighth floor, and the challenges involved tenants of the dwelling, as well as technical and bureaucratic issues.

I was quite satisfied with the new qualities of the space that were achieved and positive impact it had on different visitors. Hence, it inspired me to hire a professional photographer for images and director of photography for video. The result of our mutual effort was desirable enough to help the decision to take a part at the international design competition.

The project was realized in my native city, Belgrade, Serbia, hence it was important to me to test my skills beyond my usual locations in Greece. I am content that it went on so well and that I had wonderful collaborations with local experts from various construction fields. Also, I have re-established that if you follow your ideas passionately, anything is possible.

I would like to thank you for your time and attention.

It is a prospect of experiencing the completed space, that is a part of my mental world, as well as the design process itself expressed through numerous sketches, drawings, models, writings, renderings, etc. The visceral feeling, created during the genesis of the idea, its evolution and realization, is so powerful and stimulating that it helps you to overcome any difficulty you might encounter throughout the creative journey and stay motivated.

Since the time I was 15 years old, I am inclining towards art and architecture, expressing that through drawings, reading relevant books, visiting exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and places of interest. Hence, the choice to study architecture and become an architect came to me quite naturally and without any doubt. My parents just supported my decision.

Mostly, I design bespoke, multidisciplinary residential spaces and that subject is my preference.
I would like to design simple dwellings at Greek islands, situated at some challenging site, because the unique scenery and atmosphere of these places fascinate me.

They should include time as a main factor in the network of possible approaches and decisions during the design process. Concerning that, I would like to refer to the part of the essay “The trout and the mountain stream” written by Alvar Aalto in which he expresses in a metaphorical manner importance of time for the maturing of our ideas.
“I would like to add that architecture and its details are connected in a way with biology. They are, perhaps, like large salmon or trout. They are not born mature, they are not even born in the sea or body of water where they will normally live. They are born many hundreds of miles from their proper living environment. Where the rivers are but streams, small, shining bodies of water between mountains…as far from their normal environment as man’s spiritual life and instincts are from his daily work. And as the fish egg’s development to a mature organism requires time, so it also requires time for all that develops and crystallizes in our world of thoughts. Architecture needs this time to an even greater degree than any other creative work.”

Great designer knows how to orchestrate his collaborators to achieve realization of his idea.

When the components create harmonious Whole and involve all your senses.

When we are surrounded by cleverly created objects and we are experiencing cleverly designed spaces, we feel positive impact on our entire being.

I would design contemporary version of vacation home by Le Corbusier in Roquebrune -Cap- Martin in French Riviera, for my family. I like the idea of functional, miniature space where you emphasize the beauty of natural light, surrounding scenery and materials applied. Location could be anywhere, however, tiny Greek island would be my preference.

I have just mentioned above.

It is my ability to transfer personal enthusiasm for each new architectural challenge to the clients and collaborators, thus inspiring them to contribute to the project in the best possible manner. Good collaborations make realization joyful and possible.

I am inspired by a lot of people and it doesn't have to be necessarily only from the world of architecture and design, but also from musicians, poets, film and theatre directors, authors, chefs, nature and from the simple everyday events.

It is a broad subject, but, personally, my favourite space is Dominican Convent Sainte-Marie de La Tourette, famous piece of architecture, designed by Le Corbusier. During my visit to this this place of silence, I was exposed, unexpectedly, to such an overwhelming spiritual power that created in my being a strong emotional reaction.

It is reconstruction of the Apartment 24 in Belgrade, Serbia, because it focused on architectural qualities in parallel with the social ones. Namely, it was coordinated in three languages and supported by a few dedicated professionals from various construction fields and several countries. It was their enthusiasm, international expertise and human qualities that made realization joyful and possible, despite the challenges regarding technical and bureaucratic issues. It is, also, excellent in terms of natural light sources and ventilation, materials applied and functionality. Result is sustainable retreat that involves all senses and brings serenity to the users and visitors.

I believe that they should expose themselves through traveling to the new images of architectural situations, landscapes, art exhibitions, museums, exploration of local flavors, major events regarding music or theater etc. All these subjects of interests, that improve them personally and professionally, will become part of their memory, patiently waiting to be the initial point of departure in the future creative project.

Again, I would become designer!

Design is the process where the time, along with personal feelings, professional skills and knowledge, life experience, ethical and esthetic sensibility, mind and body, eye and hand, as well as the entire persona are involved.

My late parents, my husband Dario, my wonderful friends, my cats.

Strong belief.

I prefer to think about obstacles as advantages.

Impeccable presentation is important as it shows the time and emotions that you invested in your project. It also shows the respect towards the client which is the foundation of the successful collaboration. I believe that the print version and electronic version are both important and should be provided.

Next project would be designing and executing humble, experimental dwelling at a tiny Greek island at a challenging site.

To improve myself every day as an architect and as a human being by involving all senses.

Dedication to the project and desired outcome.

Designer must be aware of over-consumerism of raw materials, carbon emission, overheating, water management, deadly viruses, etc. and to try to implement cleaner and more efficient processes in his creative journey.

Currently, after completion of family apartment in Belgrade "JN White Space", few months ago, I am dedicating a lot of time to further reading and drawing and it brings me a joy and peace in this period of self- isolation. I see it as a preparation for the new, exciting project.

I enjoyed the most designing private residences, because of the possibility to maintain an intimate connection with a proposal and to create a close relationship with a client.

For me, as a sensitive human being and as an architect, I would like to see, urgently, transformation of our day to day existence like solving existential human question, need for Shelter ( with capital S) for all. The importance of that matter is beautifully expressed in the following text by Gaston Bachelar "Poetics of the space":
"Our house is our corner of the world...it is our first universe, a real cosmos in every sense of the word. ...It is an instrument with which to confront the cosmos."

I suppose towards more efficient 3D printing technology that is already happening, and the future is difficult to predict because it becomes present so promptly.

It takes about two years from the first sketch, through drawings, models, permissions, construction site, etc. to the moment when you are able to experience the completed space. It is quite a journey.

Usually it begins by walking along my five- meter long desk in attempt to concentrate powers of imagination. Looking and touching different samples of materials with variety of their textures, browsing through books, trying different color pencils on tracing paper through unconscious sketches, looking at mementos of my travels, photographs, models, drawings, will always help me to start with relevant sketches in search for the new ideas for the projects.

Follow your beliefs.

I believe that trends are ephemeral and really good design is eternal.

Initial sketches are always by pencils and different drawing tools because I enjoy the contact with them, after that comes technology that is necessary for other qualities.

Auto CAD for Windows, Adobe Photoshop, 3DMax

To achieve desirable atmospheric space, it is important to establish harmonious interaction between color,
materials, light.

I like them to feel the space more then to pose questions about my design.

I feel joy for the creators of these great designs.

I am more solitary type of architect but I like collaborating with different people once when I established the path that I would like to follow. I believe in co- design but still it didn't have satisfactory result when I tried.

Discussions with some Professors during my studies, my colleagues and friends. These conversations were not necessarily only about architecture but about a lot of other subjects as well.

The list would be very long, but "Parallax" by Steven Holl was one of the books that I was reading and re- reading because it made enormous impression on me. The author explores in a poetic way the relation of a spirit in architecture and discoveries in science and perception. It is beautifully written in short, essential sentences and accompanied by artistic photographs of natural phenomena and architecture, sensual water colors and architectural drawings of Holl's projects.

Gradually, willing to improve my Studio.

Le Corbusier and Leonard Cohen come first to my mind.

No comment.

Red, Folegandros island in Greece, anything from the sea, end of summer and early autumn, Caran D' ache metal pencil, Vitra

It is always funny when clients wish to provide you a drawing so you could have a point of departure.

Colorful, healthy breakfast,classical music, scents of Mediterranean herbs and plants from my terrace, piles of books and surrounding filled with natural light, are always motivation to start creative process.

I always wanted to be an architect.

I am focusing on present which is already past the moment I am writing this.

Thank you for your time and attention.

The small- scale Studio aspires to transfer the founder’s personal enthusiasm for each new architectural challenge to the clients and collaborators while inspiring them to contribute to the project in the best possible manner. Following a creative process from the initial design all the way to its completion, it maintains intimate, tactile connection with a proposal, simultaneously adopting a unique, multidisciplinary approach to each design brief. The aura, created during the process, preserves positive psychological impact on everyday life of the user, long time after the project is completed.

Design is the process where the time, along with personal feelings, professional skills and knowledge, life experience, ethical and esthetic sensibility, mind and body, eye and hand, as well as the entire persona are involved.

Bespoke, multidisciplinary residential spaces.

It is the project that deals with the reconstruction of the Apartment 24 in my native city, Belgrade in Serbia. The 110m2 place used to belong to my late parents and the best way to deal with their departure was to transform the space filled with fond memories into something contemporary, functional, and beautiful. This decision placed me in the exciting, yet challenging position, in which I had to play both role of a Client and Architect as well. The implementation of the project inspired all those involved in the process, creating enthusiastic atmosphere at the site. Completed space became a more sustainable retreat that involves all senses and brings serenity to the users and visitors.

It was interior design for the 200m2 apartment in the Athens southern suburb, Glyfada, that also included furniture design and design of all functional divisions.

I like working with natural, tactile materials like wood, rough stone, concrete etc.

When I am alone at my five meters long desk, surrounded by different samples, pencils, colors, papers, sketches and filled with enthusiasm of creation.

Mostly, I focus on natural light sources, together with materiality and functionality.

Genesis of the idea, its evolution and realization initiate powerful and stimulating visceral feeling that helps you to overcome any difficulty you might encounter during the creative journey.

Tremendous joy!

When the Architect, the Client and the Craftsmen are satisfied with the part they played in creating a new Whole.

If interaction between different components creates harmonious effect.

Designer must be aware of over-consumerism of raw materials, carbon emission, overheating, water management, deadly viruses, etc. and to try to implement cleaner and more efficient processes.

I suppose 3D printing technology that is more efficient, but it is already happening, and the future is difficult to predict because it becomes present so promptly.

I am an architect, so my exhibitions are spaces that are created by me. The last space that I completed several months ago was "JN White Space", family apartment in Belgrade, Serbia. I would love my next project to be a simple dwelling at a tiny Greek island.

Continuous inspiration is deriving from the genius loci: designing architecture as a personal dialogue with the qualities of a site, while treating complexities, constraints, and constrictions as creative points of departure. Eternal food is also found in the images from the world of art, poetry, film, literature, theatre, nature, as well as in the ordinary things of everyday life with their hidden beauties.

I am treating contemporary architecture and interior design as an experience, with all senses involved. My work is based on the spatial exploration and experimentation in terms of natural light and materials. Simple color scheme is applied to emphasize atmosphere produced by the effects of the natural light.

I have been living in Athens, Greece, last twenty-seven years, although I was not born here. I was born in Belgrade, Serbia and moved here in 1992 because I always wanted to live in the capital city by the sea and was fascinated by the Mediterranean and the blue horizon that follows you wherever you go. All my professional life, I benefit from both cultures but Greek light and white cubes of islands vernacular architecture have the most powerful effect on my designs.

I have mainly private clients and collaborate very seldom with companies.

Company should select designer on the portfolio and human qualities base. Once the relationship is established, company should follow instructions of the designer for its own benefit and the benefit of the collaboration.

Usually it begins by walking along my five- meters long desk in attempt to concentrate powers of imagination. Looking and touching different samples of materials with variety of their textures, browsing through books, trying different color pencils on tracing paper through unconscious sketches, looking at mementos of my travels, photographs, models, drawings, will always help me to be motivated in search for new ideas for the projects and to start with relevant sketches.

It would be: 1) “Endless” indoor- outdoor modular table, designed by me.
2) “Tolomeo” lamps in different sizes by Artemide, designed by Michele De Lucchi
3) “Eames Chair DSW” by Vitra, designed by Charles and Ray Eames
4)” Balancing Boxes” side tables by Porro, designed by Front
5) Retro espresso machine by Illy, designed by Luca Trazzi

When I am not traveling, the most of the time I am spending in my home studio working on the new project with my collaborators; reading, listening to the music, walking by the sea or having personal yoga class or foreign language class, preparing some healthy meal or going out with friends.

To include time as a main factor in the network of possible approaches and decisions during the design process. Concerning that, I would like to refer to the part of the essay “The Trout and the Mountain Stream,” written by Alvar Aalto, in which he expresses in a metaphorical manner the importance of time for the maturing of our ideas.
“I would like to add that architecture and its details are connected in a way with biology. They are, perhaps, like large salmon or trout. They are not born mature, they are not even born in the sea or body of water where they will normally live. They are born many hundreds of miles from their proper living environment. Where the rivers are but streams, small, shining bodies of water between mountains…as far from their normal environment as man’s spiritual life and instincts are from his daily work. And as the fish egg’s development to a mature organism requires time, so it also requires time for all that develops and crystallizes in our world of thoughts. Architecture needs this time to an even greater degree than any other creative work.”

I see only positive sides of being designer.

To follow your beliefs.

Among others, it would be the ability to transfer personal enthusiasm for each new architectural challenge to the clients and collaborators, thus inspiring them to contribute to the project in the best possible manner.

A lot of different tools: pencils, art pen, papers, brushes, ACAD, 3DMax, art books, philosophy books, poetry books, architectural magazines.

Simply, I dedicate a lot of time to my projects, because I believe that only in that way you can achieve desired result.

I like to dedicate about two months for the first presentation of the new project. It is the most important to allow time to the initial idea to mature.

What is the cost of the project? (Quite ordinary)

It was reconstruction of the Apartment 24 in Belgrade, Serbia, because it focused on architectural qualities in parallel with the social ones. Namely, it was coordinated in three languages and supported by a few dedicated professionals from various construction fields and several countries. It was their enthusiasm, international expertise and human qualities that made realization joyful and possible, despite the challenges regarding technical and bureaucratic issues.

My clients are mainly private .

I enjoy designing private residences, because you maintain intimate connection with a proposal and create a close relationship with a client.

Next project would be designing a house at a tiny Greek island at a challenging site.

I develop initial designs by myself and then include collaborators in every new step of the process.

No, not at the moment.

By e-mail: ivana@architectiva.com

I would like to thank you.