Sima Gusic, architect and director of Forma Antika - Life in context

(Sima Gusic)

He does not believe in destiny and famous "to be at the right place at the right time" saying. He is of the opinion that the right moment is planned in advance for a long time and that talent without work does not mean anything in life. A workaholic who rarely drives a car, Sima Gusic, an architect and the director Forma Antika architectural bureau, loves to say that he is a genuine citizen of Nis.

- I grew up in Nis. That is where I finished my school and faculty. Formed a family. My friends and relatives are there as well.

While we talk in the restaurant of New Belgrade's IN Hotel, Sima is looking at the building across the road. He wonders why it is built there in that particular way.

- A professional deformation of an architect - he says.

When he was in his final year of studies, before he earned the degree at the Faculty of Architecture, he got job at the Nis Heritage Preservation Institute. He had an idea at the time: to work there for 20 years and then engage in contemporary architecture.

But that did not happen. He stayed at the Institute for nearly 30 years and, although he has recently turned 63, the job at Forma Antika was, actually, his second employment in the whole life. At the time of dismissals, unemployment and constant search for something better, that fact seems a bit unreal.

- I find the time spent at the Institute double important - Sima Gusic says for eKapija.

- First, it is a republic institution that was engaged in very significant projects, in which I participated as well. One of the most significant projects is the rescuing of facilities within the scope of the construction of Hydroelectric power plant Djerdap 2. Second, the Institute is important to me because that is where I acquired the knowledge of certain context in which architecture is formed in both historical and spatial sense.

Contemporary architecture - yes or no?

If you ask him, contemporary architecture has lost that spatial-historical context. A small number of "builders" think about whether a house, building or hotel will fit in the existing ambient. He agrees with the opinion that contemporary architects do not build anything new, but only "add a cube" to something already built. He believes that the style in construction is transient, the same as fashion. It comes and goes... That is why he believes that the best building is the one that cannot be expanded.

Gusic says that contemporary architecture is becoming a conceptual trend that is quite magical only in those places that previously defined their spatial-urban area. That is how the things are in Europe... Although he has never visited it, he is fascinated with the architecture of Barcelona. He says he will see that for himself soon.

The architecture of Sicily, where he was staying last year, is his strongest memory. But he was also amazed by Prague in spring.

- Czechs very quickly changed the ambient of the old city and created the contemporary one while keeping the charms of the historical concept – eKapija's interlocutor noticed.

Although he is connected to the historical concept, he follows modern trends because it is inevitable. One should know everything and keep pace with the world. But if he was offered to choose between drawing the plans for a modern building in Dubai (which is a synonym for architectural boom) and designing a modern building in Europe, he would not hesitate even for a second.

- My choice would always be Europe. All that is very nice - skyscrapers, towers in Emirates, but I choose European heritage because of the understanding of the historical concept we have already talked about.

Insisting on the historical concept, as he says, is not a lament for the past, but only the realization that the contemporary concept cannot do without that.

He appreciates the work of many, but he singles out Foster whose work is completely different from his own understanding, but it is done in a well-conceived and serious way. Then there are also Venturi and Portogesi.

His professor in the specialist studies, which he completed at the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade, was Ranko Radovic who he sees as his role model to a certain extent.

- His lectures made me sure I was right. It was the period of the 1980's, when I was maturing. He was my support at the time.

When employees have the same last name

(the model of a hotel in Niska Banja)

He officially left the Institute in 2002 and started working at Forma Antika, which was formed in 1993. His associates are his wife Gordana, sons, nephews and daughter-in-law. And all of them are architects.

- I wonder sometimes how the people are affected by the fact that we all have the same last name – says Gusic and points out that his responsibility as a manager is bigger because of that.

- I built my name at the time that was, in a way, allowing that. It is now up to my associates and heirs to prove themselves.

The concept of Forma Antika architectural bureau is based on the planning and building in the ambient.

- We are fortunate enough that the project we work on are always somehow connected to the city core – says our interlocutor and adds that their projects often "lean against" the monuments of culture.

Among numerous awards, he singles out the award he won at the Days of Architecture in Nis for the project of a hotel in Kazandzijsko Sokace, which is a blend of ambient and old town architecture. Besides, he will also be proud of putting the signature on the project of a hotel in Niska Banja spa resort (if it is implemented to the end), the residential-business facility of Turkish Consulate, as well as several residential facilities.

I want holiday to make me tired

Speaking of the travels and the way in which he spends his vacations, Gusic said he had both traveled and not traveled. It depends on the angle of view - he says jokingly.

By his own definition, he spends summer vacations "comfortably". When his kids were younger, they usually went camping. Nowadays, he and his wife Gordana choose suites. He likes when his travels make him tired, meaning that he loves to visit and see as much as possible. Sea and beaches, hotels and restaurants are not a part of what he finds an ideal vacation.

He sees his marriage with Gordana, with whom he shares both good and bad things since the student days, the same as it was at the beginning.

- After all these years, our relationship is the same as before - strong and sincere. It can be said that it was a love at first sight - Gusic says honestly.

He spends his leisure time with his family and rarely uses a car since he walks whenever possible. Sometimes he walks 5 to 6 kilometers alongside the Nisava river.

He also likes to read. He loves when sentences and thoughts are clear and that is why he chooses Andric, Crnjanski, Remark. And while he lists contemporary writers and books he has read recently, he says that he always returns to the classics.

In the company of his friends, when they all relax a little, he sometimes likes to sing. Just like any other citizen of Nis, he loves taverns. It is difficult to make him angry.

He is of the opinion that objective modesty is what is worthy of striving for in life. Although his second granddaughter was born one day before our meeting, on his birthday, he does not believe in destiny.

- Maybe some events in life are accidental and maybe they are somehow channeled... who knows.

And while he proudly speaks of the growth of his family, the new projects that Forma Antika participates in, and the ideas he may implement when he retires, Sima Gusic concludes only one thing:

- In general, I am a happy man.