With over 20 years of international experience,Vladimir Jovanovic is AECOM’s Architecture and Interiors practice lead for the Middle East. From Belgrade, Vladimir began his career with independent competition entries culminating in anexhibition at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2006. This journey evolved into a five-year engagement at Foster+Partners’ London design studio, contributing to numerous global projects and competitions

Driven by the chance to influence the UAE’s urban development, Vladimir relocated to the Middle East ten years ago to take on the role of Head of Architecture for Meraas. In 2019, he joined AECOM, where he has been dedicated to expanding the studio and its architectural portfolio. Currently, he supervises the design work of 1.5 million square meters and leads a team of over 100 architects and interior designers across multiple AECOM offices

Since leading the team, Vladimir has expanded the Architecture + Interiors design studio to a robust 60-member team, supported by Ruan Davey and Liam Mannion as Directors, Derec Boon, Ilija Kaluderovic and Ignacio Diez as Associate Directors, and supported by 10 Associates leading project teams of 35 architects and 10 interior designers. Leading with composure and with diversity in mind, Vladimir stives for an inclusive workplace where ‘people make places

Vladimir’s team are working on some of the most exciting architectural projects across the region with hospitality, leisure, entertainment and residential projects the focus sector. Notable projects include Diriyah Square Retail District in Saudi Arabia with more than 400 on-street stores that occupy 700,000 sqm, the Baccarat Hotel and Residences and the AMAN resort, both in Dubai. Vladimir is excited about the region’s upcoming visions in these sectors

As a passionate advocate for sustainability and a hands-on designer, he recently completed an energy-efficient design for a manufacturing research project for New Emirati Housing, where the delivered prototype consumes 50% less energy than traditionally designed houses in the region. Understanding sustainability’s importance in the industry, Vladimir also underscores the importance of creating durability.

Last year, he connected with a group of academics, architects and designers across the globe through a nonprofit, Fondazione Canova, to study traditional elemental architecture. With the medieval village of Ghesc, Domodossola in Italy as the centre point for this study, Vladimir’s research resulted in material intelligence — an exploration of how traditional materials can be re-imagined through AI and advanced construction technology to aim for structures that endure for 500 years as the only true sustainability. Keeping up to date with emerging trends is essential and Vladimir instils this across his team.