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Experience, awards, and continuous development within the architectural profession
Natalija Šarlija is a licensed architect, born in Zadar, with an address in Zagreb since the beginning of her studies at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Zagreb.
She has won numerous student awards, including the Rector’s Award (special mention), the award of the 50th Zagreb Salon, and the 20th Novi Sad Architecture Salon for the workshop Wooden Modular Apartment, as well as the Rector’s Award (special mention) and the Artur Award for the workshop Affirmation of the Zadar Peninsula. She has also received several council commendations, has contributed to a number of publications and been a part of several international student workshops.
Projects, competitions, and collaborations
She began her professional career after completing her undergraduate studies through a student internship at MVA (Mikelić Vreš Architects) and an Erasmus internship at OFIS Architects in Ljubljana.
Alongside her graduate studies and prior to graduation, she gained professional experience in several architectural offices, most notably at Mikelić Vreš Architects, where she continued working after graduating in 2016 until 2018, when she passed the professional licensing exam.
During her time at MVA, she participated in several architectural competitions, including winning 2nd prize for the Središće Educational Complex competition, as well as working on numerous projects, some of which have been published and awarded (Kindergarten in Gornja Stubica, Urban Culture Center re-GENERATOR, Hotel Bačvice).
In 2018, as part of an initiative by the Zadar Society of Architects for the revitalization of the former Stjepan Radić military complex, she won 1st prize for the design and realization of the “Žutinel” square. From 2018 to 2020, she gained further experience at 4uHa, working on architectural and interior design projects.
Independent architectural studio and award-winning projects
Since 2020, she has been running her own architectural practice.
Through her independent practice, she collaborates with a number of colleagues and professionals from related fields on projects of various purposes, typologies, and scales. Notable achievements include 3rd prize in the competition for Residential buildings in Vrbani and the BIG SEE Interior Design Award 2026 for the apartment interior in Knežija – Mirror Box Apartment.
Her work primarily focuses on architectural and interior design of various scale and function.
Former team members and collaborators include: Sara Pavlov, Viktor Vdović, Andrea Junaković, Denis Grubišić, Josipa Slaviček, Lucija Okić.
Current team members and collaborators: Lucija Okić, Josipa Slaviček.
