Tatjana Djordjevic

“Sustainability only gains meaning when it is not only functional but also aesthetic and human-centered. For me, the essence of architecture lies in the balance between art, design, and technology.”

At Paul de Ruiter Architects, I work on a variety of projects, with a focus on social sustainability and translating conceptual ideas into feasible designs, always with the human scale as a guiding principle. The firm’s commitment to sustainability—not just in theory, but above all in practice—perfectly aligns with my own belief that good architecture only becomes meaningful when it is both sustainable and human-centered. My path to architecture began with a love for art. In Belgrade, I spent endless hours drawing and painting—leading me to the University of Arts. There, I discovered my fascination with the intersection of art, design, and architecture, and how these worlds overlap. After completing my master’s degree in 2005, I moved to Amsterdam, where I graduated in 2010 from the Academy of Architecture. Since then, I have gained experience at various Dutch firms on projects ranging from public buildings and town halls to housing, masterplans, and urban strategies. During my studies, I focused my graduation project on Shanghai, which gave my career a new direction. Shortly thereafter, I moved to China, where I spent three years working on large-scale commercial projects, mixed-use developments, and high-rise buildings. The speed and scale of those projects gave me a fresh, global perspective on architecture. In addition, I am active in education and research, including as a lecturer at the Academy of Architecture, with particular interest in social sustainability and the conceptual approach to architecture. Since June 2025, I have been part of Paul de Ruiter Architects.