We translate the functional expectations into design solutions that are aligned with the client's aspirations, creating spaces that bring a sense of joy to daily life
Deklić Winery, photo Ivana Rajkovača
Vision
Vision
Architecture significantly influences the way we live. The specific design of a building predisposes us to behave in a certain way, steering us towards a pre-imagined lifestyle - based on the client's aspirations for the building and galvanised by the architect's proposition.
Our design process starts with a conversation that finds a common ground between the two. From then on, we embark on a thorough investigation, carefully calibrating and layering the aspiration into a specific architectural language that will provide the optimal solution for the project.
We believe that this exhaustive design process leads to solutions that intimately convey the client's aspirations, whilst leading towards an architectural expression that is of merit in itself.
Deklić Winery, sketch by Viktor Vrečko
Destination
Destination
This way of thinking frees us to arrive at design solutions that give the project an architectural expression which goes beyond the expected. Ultimately, this leads us to creating spaces that bring a sense of surprise, of joy and delight in the daily experience of the building.
PB12 House, photo Viktor Vrečko
Trust
Trust
As architects, we trust that this commitment yields the optimal design. In turn, our clients trust us that we are genuinely committed to providing the right solution for them, carefully balancing needs and aspirations into the architectural proposal.
We believe that by focusing on the architectural integrity of the project - without letting any other consideration influence our work - we are defending the client's best interests.
PB12 House, ©photo: Mare Milin
Our team
Our team
As a studio, our culture is one mutual support and collaboration, where every member is a mentee and mentor to others, and where original thinking is heard and encouraged.
We are
Ivana Rajkovača
a senior architect born in Banja Luka, BiH, and the longest-standing member of our team. She enjoys long walks, dancing and Pilates, and is known for her attentive listening and calm approach.
Dominik Žuvela
is a senior architect from Cape Town, South Africa. He is passionate about adaptive re-use, with a niche interest in the preservation of Dalmatian dry stone walls. Dominik also enjoys hiking with his dog Zen, and playing five-a-side football.
Jenni Halme
a junior architect from Helsinki, Finland, who joined us after working at the Venice Biennale. Jenni brings curiosity and an international perspective to the team, and spends her free time volunteering abroad and reading books recommended by friends and colleagues.
Josip Katalinić
is a Split-born civil engineer. Outside of work, Josip enjoys long-distance cycling and crafting his own custom audio equipment.
Mia Low
is a German-American junior architect and the newest addition to the team, originally joining us as an Erasmus intern. Mia brings with her a strong passion for architecture and plenty of unencumbered fresh ideas.
Marina Vrečko
is our studio manager, our über office fixer, and a culture vulture. Originally from Đakovo, Croatia, and a returnee from London, Marina is also actively engaged in charity work in developing countries.
©photo: Mare Milin
Viktor Vrečko
Viktor Vrečko
Viktor is a German-born architect of Croatian descent, and the principal of the VVA studio. He obtained his architectural degree at Münster School of Architecture in Germany, with further studies at Delft University of Technology in Holland. His formative professional years were spent in various prestigious studios in Europe, notably at Foster+Partners in London.
This provided Viktor with exposure to the full arch of activity in architecture – from concept design to construction – in a wide range of projects in culture, hospitality, high-rise buildings and luxury private residential buildings such as the World Trade Center or the Whitney Hall.
Viktor approaches the profession with an all encompassing view, where all aspects – from master-planning to the design of a door handle – merit a considered attention, as they all contribute to the experience of a building.
Our focus of study is the space created by our architecture, and the experience the space provides beyond its functional requirements
Zadar Diving Centre, ©photo: Mare Milin
Complexity
Complexity
We deliver contemporary architecture by resolving complexity into a simplicity of form that responds to its place and to the aspirations of the people inhabiting our buildings.
Practicing architecture means taking design decisions, from minute zero, that have a cascading effect morphologically and hence in construction, which essentially define the way that building will be lived.
Committed to honour the role of the architect in influencing the daily life of people, we follow an exhaustive and systematic decision tree process so as to achieve to the optimal design solution for our client, and for the appropriateness of the building in its surroundings.
And whilst immersed in this process, we do not lose sight of our north star: what it will be like to inhabit this building? What sensations, moods will we be facilitating, and also precluding? Essentially, what the experience of seeing, being and relating to this building will be.
Deklić Winery, ©photo: Mare Milin
Experience
Experience
This search for the optimal leads to design propositions that are formally uncomplicated, simple broad strokes that belie the complexity resolved.
In turn, this “maximalist simplicity” infuses our buildings with an air of timelessness, giving them the capacity to accommodate and adapt as the needs may evolve.
One of the clear advantages of this approach is that the emphasis on hard work at the early stages of the design process yield a clarity and efficiency in the latter stages, and crucially, during the construction phase.
Hence follows that the office has no pre-defined formal or visual style it adheres to. This frees us to adopt solutions that are unexpected and focused on enhancing the experience of the building.
And it is this encumbered thinking with the final formal result that allows us to propose truly contemporary and innovative solutions which in turn facilitate an optimistic, contemporary way of living in our buildings.
Deklic Winery, sketch by Viktor Vrečko
Place
Place
We pay close attention to embracing the location and its topography, identifying the optimal orientation of the building to maximise the efficiency of its passive energy potential, and the views and sensations derived from our chosen spatial arrangements.
Our choice of materials is also intimately related to this thinking: using construction elements that “belong” to the place and the ethos of our clients, and which are appropriate to the overall project requirements.
These two aspects provide our projects with a sustainable essence that is achievable for all our clients.
Pelješac Pavilion
Work with us
Work with us
As a growing architectural office, we are continually looking to add new members to our team at all levels, from senior architects to interns during and after their architectural studies.
The studio has a collaborative and supportive culture; all staff are guided by a mentor who in time are expected to mentor others. We look for people who are comfortable with that culture – being flexible and willing to help other colleagues when needed – yet have initiative and can get on with the work on their own.
Our architects and designers have strong conceptual skills, an analytical mind, a methodical approach to their work, curiosity for design, and the professional ambition to devise the best architectural solutions.
Zadar
We are purposely based in Zadar, Croatia – a quiet coastal town with a city personality. Being here gives us the mind space and conditions to do good work while maintaining a great quality of life.
Interns
We regularly host participants in the Erasmus+ programme, and welcome applications from university students from around the world, both during term time as well as summer.
Whether to engage with us as a client, or as a potential member of our team, get in touch:
23000 Zadar
Croatia
Viktor Vrečko Architects
Jakše Čedomila Čuke 323000 Zadar
Croatia
PB12 House
Design by Borja Goyarrola