Iva Zoretic

Iva views research, discovery, and design as continuously interwoven in an architect's role. Her ability to develop a comprehensive vision is matched by her execution at every level during in-depth collaborations with clients, team members, and consultants. From both a practical and experiential point of view, Iva explores the purpose of buildings and interprets them in design details that encourage the awareness of one's environment through tactility, a sense of comfort, and acoustics.

Growing up in Croatia, engaging with classic architecture was part of her daily life, from Greek and Roman ruins to churches of the Renaissance. Architecture school exposed her to the contemporary masters of architecture, and with like-minded students, Iva exchanged books, ideas, and influences that continue to resonate in her practice today.

Long-term projects like theaters, museums, hotels, building restorations, and office renovations incorporate many layers of use and design that Iva enjoys resolving. Following Iva from graduate school through her professional work was the idea that a space needs to be designed for a community and with a community to be truly successful. Iva has been most fulfilled by developing cultural and educational centers. Accessible to the general public, these projects offer a diverse and multifaceted expression of community that centers on one of Ira's key beliefs: one should be building for people rather than purpose.