Academic and scientific titles
2026 – Research Assistant
Master of Technical Sciences in the field of Architecture and Urbanism (School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 2020)
BSc in Architecture (University of Belgrade – Faculty of Architecture, 2017)
Master of science thesis
S. Nikolić & M. Grbić (2020) ARCH – Anti Radiation Containment House of the Future. Thesis Advisor: Jacopo Leveratto, PhD, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Doctoral Dissertation Topic Approved
Architecture of Immersion: Spatial Concept and the Phenomenality of Methods. Doctoral Supervisor: Vladimir Milenković, PhD, Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Professional experience
2026- Research Assistant at the Institute of architecture and urban & spatial planning of Serbia
2021-2026 Research Assistant with a scholarship from the Ministry of Science of the Republic of Serbia, at the Institute of architecture and urban & spatial planning of Serbia
2020 Professional Internship (Erasmus+), VMX Architects, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2019 Professional Internship, ATI Project Srl, Milan, Italy
Participation in scientific research projects
2024–2026 Interreg Danube Region Programme project “NONA – New gOvernance for New spAces” (DRP0200519)
2021 – “Development of New Methodological Frameworks and Information Systems for Establishing Sustainable and Resilient Cities in Serbia” – Institutional Funding Project (The funds for the implementation of the research presented in this paper were provided by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, Record Number: 451-03-68/2023-14/200006.)
Participation in scientific research projects
2024–2026 Interreg Danube Region Programme project “NONA – New gOvernance for New spAces” (DRP0200519)
2021 – “Development of New Methodological Frameworks and Information Systems for Establishing Sustainable and Resilient Cities in Serbia” – Institutional Funding Project (The funds for the implementation of the research presented in this paper were provided by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, Record Number: 451-03-68/2023-14/200006.)
Selected prizes and awards
2022 Third Prize at the 31st International Urban Design Exhibition, Čačak, November 8–13, 2022; Category: Competitions. Project Title: “Competition for the Urban and Architectural Design of Liberation Square in Zaječar” — Authors: Božidar Manić, Sanja Gogić, Sanja Simonović Alfirević, Tijana Crnčević
2021 Second (increased) prize at the urban-architectural competition for the Liberation Square (Trg Oslobođenja) in Zaječar
List of selected publications
M20 Papers published in international scientific journals
Alfirević, Đ., Simonović Alfirević, S., Njegić, T., & Nikolić, S. (2026). The Influence of Parking-Derived Structural Grid on Apartment Organisation. Buildings, 16(8), 1547. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16081547
Alfirević, Đ., Njegić, T., Simonović Alfirević, S., & Nikolić, S. (2026). Contemporary Dwelling in Serbia: Insights from a Survey Study. Buildings, 16(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010079
Alfirević, Đ., Simonović Alfirević, S. and Nikolić, S. (2025) Impact of internal openness on the sustainability of residential space. Open House International, Vol. 50, No. 5, pp. 857-878, https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-04-2024-0144
Marković, S., Alfirević, Đ., Simonović Alfirević, S., and Nikolić, S. (2025) Principles of Achieving Legibility in Residential Spaces: A Synthesis of Cognitive and Perceptual Approaches. Buildings, 15, no. 8, 1243, https://doi.org/10.3390/ buildings15081243 Alfirević, Đ., Njegić, T., Simonović Alfirević, S., and Nikolić, S. (2026) Contemporary Dwelling in Serbia: Insights from a Survey Study. Buildings, 16(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010079
Nikolić, S., Prodanović D. (2022) Intersection of Digital and Spatial Immersion: Architecture of Pavilions at Expo Dubai 2020“, AM Journal of Art and Media Studies No. 29, October 2022, ISSN 2217-9666 – printed, ISSN 2406-1654 – online, UDK 7.01:316.774 (pp. 43-55), https://doi.org/10.25038/am.v0i29.535
Živković, D., Simonović Alfirević, S., Gogić, S. (2021) Hotel Majestic as the first boutique hotel in Serbia. Arhitektura i urbanizam, (53), 36-47, https://doi.org/10.5937/a-u0-33666
М30 Papers presented at the international conferences and published in thematic conference proceedings
Alfirević Đ, Simonović Alfirević S, Nikolić S. (2025) “The Principle of Recessing Residential Spaces into the Depth of the Apartment and its Application in Apartment Organization in Serbia.’’ International Conference Synergy of Architecture and Civil Engineering SINARG 2025. 11 September;2(1):725–39.
Marta Grbić, Sanja Nikolić (2024) “Back to the Future: Challenges of Experimental House Projects Designed for Future Scenarios, 12th International Multimedia Event STRAND “On Architecture – Shaping the City through Architecture Proceedings“, ed. Gallery of Science and Technology – Serbian Academy of Sciencies and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia, 5-6 December 2024
Sanja Nikolić, Marta Grbić (2023) “ARCH – Anti Radiation Containment House of the Future, 11th International Conference and Exhibition STRAND “On Architecture – Challenges in Design“, Gallery of Science and Technology – Serbian Academy of Sciencies and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia, 7-8 December 2023
Sanja (Gogić) Nikolić (2022) “Spatial Immersion: Architecture or Art“, Proceedings of 10th International Conference ‘’On Architecture — Philosophy of Architecture’’ STRAND, Belgrade, Serbia, pp. 210-217. ISBN 978-86-89111-28-6. Gallery of Science and Technology – Serbian Academy of Sciencies and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia, 2-3 December 2022
M100 Performed works, awards, studies, exhibitions, judging and curatorial work of international importance
Marta Grbić, Sanja Nikolić (2023) “ARCH – Anti Radiation Containment House of the Future”, 11th International Conference and Exhibition STRAND “On Architecture – Challenges in Design“, Gallery of Science and Technology – Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia, 5–19 December 2023.
Božidar Manić, Sanja Simonović Alfirević, Tanja Njegić, Tijana Crnčević, Sanja Nikolić, “Urban Design Project for the Reconstruction, Extension, Adaptation, and Land Parcel Formation (from parts of land parcels 2311/1, 2312/1, and 2312/3, all within the Cadastral Municipality of Voždovac) of a Public Facility, the ‘Karađorđe’ Primary School at 2 Jova Ilića Street in Belgrade”, Exhibition Catalogue: 32nd International Urban Design Exhibition 2023, Niš, Science and Technology Park, November 8–11, 2023, Catalogue Editor: Jasna Marićević, Niš: Serbian Association of Urban Planners, 2023, p. 105. (05.14.) ISBN: 978-86-84275-48-8.
Third Prize at the 31st International Urban Design Exhibition 2022, Čačak, November 8–13, 2022, Category: Competitions. Project Title: “Competition for the Urban and Architectural Design of Liberation Square in Zaječar” — Authors: Božidar Manić, Sanja Gogić, Sanja Simonović Alfirević, Tijana Crnčević. Exhibition Catalogue: 31st International Urban Design Exhibition 2022, Čačak, November 8–13, 2022, Čačak: Serbian Association of Urban Planners, 2022, p. 119.
Second (Enhanced) Prize at the Design Competition for the Urban and Architectural Design of Liberation Square in Zaječar, 2021 — Competition Authors: Božidar Manić, Sanja Gogić, Sanja Simonović Alfirević, Tijana Crnčević
List of selected professional results
Competitions (prizes and acquisitions)
“Competition for the Urban and Architectural Design of Liberation Square in Zaječar, 2021 – Second (Enhanced) Prize – Authors: Božidar Manić, Sanja Gogić, Sanja Simonović Alfirević, Tijana Crnčević”
Architectural design
“Karađorđe” Primary School, 2 Jova Ilića Street, Belgrade, Voždovac Municipality; Conceptual Design for Reconstruction and Extension, 2021 – Authors: Sanja Simonović Alfirević and Božidar Manić – Project Associate
“Conceptual Design for the Construction of a Monastic House on Land Parcel No. 1494/2, Cadastral Municipality (CM) Mala Reka, Bajina Bašta Municipality,” Project Manager: Božidar Manić, PhD – Project Associate
Professional / research profiles
RAUmPlan – Repository of Architecture, Urbanism and Planning