Anja Ivana Milić is an architectural entrepreneur and a co-founder and CEO of Arhi.pro an International Design Build practice based in Serbia and Montenegro and most recently also in London, UK. Her personal design, philosophy and expertise are present in each project of Arhi.pro’s 20-year-old internationally acknowledged portfolio. Today the firm employs approximately 200 professionals with more than 100 engineers working in the fields of architecture, planning, structural design, interiors, lighting design, landscape design, BIM services, construction, and furniture design for manufacturing.
In parallel to 35 years of her architectural practice, Anja works in both academia and her private practice. She has gained recognition and multiple honours for leading a successful, reliable and sustainable business model for more than two decades. During this time, she co-founded the Association of Women Architects, where she actively promotes and educates about women entrepreneurship, equality and leadership programs in architecture. Apart from multiple awards for commercial office architecture and interior design, her socially responsible approach to business combined with the professional achievements in her practice was recently awarded by the Association of Business Women in Serbia as the Most Successful Woman in Business in 2021. In 2011, Anja was picked as an ambassador of women entrepreneurship and the CIP program organised by the European Union. She has also been chosen as a Serbian representative of Entrepreneurial Winning Women in Europe.
Originally from Belgrade, Serbia, Anja Ivana Milić’s practice Arhi.pro has grown into a multidisciplinary office across 3 cities. The 25-year-old office, no longer just an architectural studio, has developed into a studio that is an integrated design company and developed into a well-known brand. The experience during the past 21 years has been both local-related to the economic condition in the region, as well as global-related in terms of increase in standards and development of technology in design. The firm works internationally and provides services worldwide.
The sustainable model promotes an increase in knowledge and work techniques and extends the market on which they contract jobs. Anja often appears as a mentor for young entrepreneurs and startups by partnering with various associations that provide support to individuals in the economy. Empowering them to work independently and turn their professions into a business model is the primary test of successful companies to strengthen the SME economy.
Anja with her immense experience has thoughtfully structured the presentation for the Disrupt Symposium according to the questions that they most often received from young architects. Here are her answers:
How to start an independent architectural practice and business?
Whether embarking on the journey alone or alongside colleagues in a team, initiating a business startup demands unwavering dedication to hard work, perseverance, and patience until tangible results are achieved. It is imperative to realistically assess one's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses in order to formulate a strategy for completing tasks that may otherwise seem daunting. Providing top-notch services and meeting deadlines are essential for garnering recommendations that will pave the way for future projects.
The progression from a modest practice to a recognisable business model and established brand in the market typically follows this trajectory: initially entering the market and securing jobs, managing all aspects from contracting to invoicing independently. As the workload increases, transitioning into the role of principal architect allows for the hiring of additional staff. Collaboration within the team ensues, although challenges may arise due to differing management styles and hierarchies. In this case, professional skills are dominant over business management.
When the business expands, success and good progress mean that the firm leaders also have talent for management, HR, PR, and finance. If you as a leader recognise those talents in yourself, you can start building the knowledge to study those fields independently or through courses. Entrepreneurs must also have knowledge of all regulations that a business must comply with, be it economy, labour law or finance. Experts from all professions including accounting and administration must also become employees in the business to help run it. Do not forget to recognise the fundamental, legal and regulatory requirements of licensing, insurance and contracts. To understand that you are building a valuable architectural service, you need an operational structure and a marketing strategy.
Risks in the First Year of Business
The First year in a business always carries the risk of survival. There is an ocean-sized difference between the jobs that you get as a freelancer and the prestigious jobs that will build your CV and portfolio to be recognised in the world of great architects. However, Anja believes that the best practices are built by young minds like startups and less often from the resources of senior associates or world-renowned practices. “The independence of senior associates in starting their own practice at a mature and experienced age can be equally successful, but in my opinion, they do not carry the charisma of a new name, idea and freshness.” Therefore you should show resilience in the first steps which are usually small projects. This can be a challenge for your inspiration to persist for the upcoming and not-so-frequent larger projects.
The challenge lies in having one job to generate income for covering expenses related to a new small business, while also carving out time to participate in international competitions and maintaining faith in the eventual triumph.
“Because he who has not tried many times has not won. No matter how small my business was during the initial years, I always had big dreams. This is what leads you to progress.”
Anja Ivana Milić
Once progress begins, its continuation hinges on the formation of a strong team. At this juncture, the team's significance equals your own. An inspiring team, led by you, can bridge knowledge gaps such as software skills and design approaches that complement your expertise.
The subsequent risk encountered on the path to success pertains to the level of mutual respect among team members. It's crucial to clearly envision why, without you—the principal—there would be no practice at all, one that already holds a leading position in the market. Additionally, outlining the reward system for those individuals within the team who contribute to the success of the brand is paramount. Establishing clear boundaries with employees lays the groundwork for future partnerships, associates, designers, and those who will join the workforce—a new game in HR management for the employer.
In well-known international practices, the rules of hierarchy are strict; sometimes even brutal. Only experience will teach you why this is so. Whether you adopt strict rules or have a relaxed relationship with your team, the management style will depend on you alone. Whether it is autocratic or democratic with many possible varieties in details, you will recognise your style through different periods as one can never stay the same under all market conditions.
How to stay relevant: Brand creation and design philosophy
“The day I decided to start my practice I decided to not not call it by my name or initials. Architects often go by their last names. When you have the vision of strengthening the brand from the beginning, then you choose the name of the company much more mindfully.” says Anja.
The logo, a recognisable visual identity, graphics and brand communication are all imperative tools of a brand identity. Following the example of large corporate architectural practices we also understand that expanding the practice’s territory is the primary plan when you want to become a relevant brand. Apart from job expansion, development is based on constant learning and being updated with new software, new construction technologies, building materials and sustainable manufacturing. This is just as important as being functionally forward and aesthetically clean in design.
Despite the potential label of being old-fashioned, Arhi.pro has maintained its design approach consistently over an extended period. They have embraced geometry in all their designs, which has not only become a distinctive trademark for their brand in the past but will also persist as a distinguishing feature in the future.
The company introduced a group of young employees, providing them with a clear brief from the principal, along with corporate legitimacy and named the initiative Youth by Arhi.pro. After a year of operation, they were awarded for their innovative business approach, which involved introducing the idea to the Serbian market and showcasing the group's achievements in competitions.
One aspect of the program involves exploring design options proposed by the employees within the team. This fosters an understanding of various perspectives and opinions, aiding in the identification of strategies to remain relevant and inspire others within the industry.
As the youth in the program mature, they either advance in position within the company or depart to establish their own firms. Regardless of the outcome, this period serves as an opportunity for advanced education and personal growth for each employee. Their contributions to competitions, whether successful or not, are highly valued, and resources are readily available to support them.
How does it feel to be a woman in architecture?
Six years ago Anja founded the Women’s Architectural Society Association in Serbia a non-profit organisation to support women in the industry. Over the decades women have been less valuable as experts and always helpers of the men we work with: rarely co-authors always collaborators. She reflects “In my region, women have been discouraged from starting their own business. A woman has to fit in with expected social values before earning the right to run a business and instead run the household and take care of the family. Having time for business was a luxury.”
At the association, running a business was no longer a privilege but a normality. Women's entrepreneurship contributes a large amount of potential to the economy and to businesses. Anja’s actions here are to raise the visibility of women architects in Serbia and Montenegro where the association has now expanded. The franchise is also expanding to Croatia and the Netherlands.
“Fight to prove your knowledge and skill, fight for independence in authorships, fight for authority in front of clients. But the struggle is not that difficult when you know your worth and know your calibre. Then, no one can deny you. It may be an old idea that the building industry is for men but the myth is being destroyed by the increasing number of women in AEC now.”
Anja Ivana Milić
Anja Ivana Milić's journey as an architectural entrepreneur and co-founder of Arhi.pro exemplifies a remarkable fusion of determination and advocacy within the architecture industry. Over the past two decades, her firm has evolved into a multidisciplinary powerhouse spanning three cities, leaving an indelible mark on both local and global landscapes.
Anja’s commitment to nurturing young talent through initiatives like "Youth by Arhi.pro" underscores her dedication to empowering the next generation of architects. Her advocacy for women in architecture, as demonstrated through her leadership in the Women's Architectural Society Association, reflects her tireless efforts to dismantle gender barriers and promote inclusivity within the profession. By highlighting the significance of young minds and the need for an inspiring team, as well as advocating for the visibility and empowerment of women in the field, Anja has not only carved a path for her own success but has also paved the way for others in the industry.
Her emphasis on brand creation and design philosophy reflects her commitment to innovation. Anja's story serves as an inspiration for aspiring architects, to pursue their dreams, defy stereotypes, and strive for excellence in their professional endeavours. As she continues to expand her influence and support for industry, Anja sets an example for future generations of architects and entrepreneurs, proving that dedication, perseverance, and a strong sense of purpose can lead to meaningful progress and lasting impact.
