Editorial board
The editors and board members responsible for Journal of Balkan Architecture.
Editor-in-Chief
Secretariat
Harika Shehabi completed her bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Uludağ University in Turkey, where she actively participated in and organized numerous workshops and conferences across different regions of the country. During her undergraduate studies, she pursued a minor in Art History at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Uludağ University, studying in parallel with her architectural education. As part of her art history studies, she joined archaeological field surveys for two semesters at the Mersin Ayatekla underground church and necropolis, working alongside a team of archaeologists. After graduation, she briefly worked in Istanbul and later returned to North Macedonia, where she spent two years involved in architectural practice, including architectural and interior design projects. In 2022, she was awarded a 100% scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts in Architecture at IUAV University of Venice. During her time in Venice, she completed her master’s degree while participating in several conferences and workshops, including the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale – North Macedonia Pavilion. Shehabi completed her master’s degree in 2025 and currently works as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Architecture, at the International Balkan University in Skopje.
Editorial Board
Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Andovski studied Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture, “Ss Cyril and Methodius University”, Skopje, Macedonia. He acquired a Master degree at the „Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture et de Paysage de Lille”, Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France in 2003. PhD degree finished at “Ss Cyril and Methodius University” at the Institute of National History in 2010. Andovski is awarded with first prize in the architectural competition in Nord Pas de Calais – Boulogne-Sur-Mer in France for a Center of Hemodialysis in 2004, and the building was realized in 2015. He won a Special prize in architectural competition for the Philharmonic National Building in 2008 in Skopje, Macedonia. Professor Dr. Andovski was collaborator for the constructed project for the Museum of Holocaust in Skopje, Macedonia. He is active member of the Association of Architects of Macedonia. He has realized the Erasmus + Program action KA 103, Staff Mobility for Teaching and Training in Riga Building College in Latvia, 2019. His most important scientific works are three published books: “Public Space in Urban Landscape”, 2011, “The New Image of Public Space/ Nouvelle image de l’espace commun”, 2015, and “Urban Development of Skopje”, 2020. He also author of a study for the General Urban Plan of Skopje in 2011 called: “System of City Centers and Public Spaces in Skopje”. Currently he is working as full professor at the Department of Architecture / Faculty of Engineering and he is Head of the Department of Architecture at the International Balkan University in Skopje, Macedonia.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3988-6027
Jordan Bojadjiev is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, International Balkan University. Dr. Bojadjiev earned his Ph.D. from "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" University in Skopje, focusing on earthquake engineering, with a specialization in innovative methods for improving the seismic resistance of masonry infill walls in reinforced concrete frame structures. With over seven years of experience in academia and more than fifteen years in structural engineering design, Dr. Bojadjiev brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his teaching and research. His expertise includes nonlinear analysis of structures, performance-based design, high-rise buildings, infill walls in RC frames, and seismic performance, among other areas.
He is known for his results-oriented approach to lecturing and is dedicated to transferring his industry experience and unique insights to his students. Dr. Bojadjiev's commitment to advancing structural engineering is evidenced by his contributions to research and his recognition within the field. He made several visiting reasearch stays at Universities from California, USA including University of California, Irvine (research under the supervision of Prof. Farzad Naeim) and California State University Long Beach (research under mentorship of Prof. Mehran Rahmani). Additionally, he has received prestigious acknowledgments from the Macedonian Association of Structural Engineers (MASE), including the MASE annual award for the best constructive achievement in the field of science, and recognition for his special efforts and contributions to the development of structural engineering in Macedonia.
With a passion for structural seismic engineering and a drive for excellence in both academia and industry, Dr. Bojadjiev continues to make significant strides in the field of civil engineering.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3688-8326
Prof. Nada Rožmanec Matičič, univ. dipl. ing. arh., is acting dean and co-founder of the Faculty of Design in Ljubljana. She is a dedicated architect, mentor and creator of design opportunities. She is an eternal supporter of young design talents throughout her more than 50-year career.
She is the recipient of several international awards and recognitions for sustainable design and a member of several international associations and platforms (GIDE, WDO, EAAE, BEDA, ECBN...). She lectured at several foreign universities (Italy, Serbia, Belgium, UK, Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, UAE...). She innovated and realized more than 300 architectural and interior design projects both at home and in the EU. She participated in several unique research projects of furniture systems for banks and corporations.
After many experiences with participation in many international projects and education abroad, in 2005 she co-founded today's Faculty of Design, and she is the author of the "Design" study programs.
Prof. Matičič is the author of numerous international conferences, Design round tables, professional and artistic articles, exhibitions at home and abroad. She has 28 patents, 1 EU model and trademarks (GoinGreenGlobal (2016), A.L.I.C.E. (2010), Urban October...).
In 2021, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded by the Association of Slovenian Designers. For her rich artistic opus, she received the Award for Works of Art.
Ljubo Lah, PhD, architect, associate professor, employed at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana. He is engaged as a lecturer in the course "Architecture Renovation and Conservation." He leads the postgraduate course "Introduction to Scientific Research Work" and the undergraduate elective course "Integrity in Renovation." His professional focus is on the renovation of architectural heritage and efforts to introduce integrated forms of heritage protection. He is the author, co-author, or contributor to seven professional-scientific monographs and has published over thirty professional and scientific articles. He has organized numerous architectural workshops and participates in heritage protection initiatives. In 1998, he was involved for several months in the formation and management of the National Technical Office for post-earthquake reconstruction in the Soča Valley. Since 2006, he has collaborated with the French international institute "Centre International d'Études des Patrimoines Culturels du Charolais-Brionnais" from Burgundy and is also a member of the institute. The international institute primarily focuses on researching, preserving, documenting, and promoting Romanesque architectural heritage in the Burgundy and Auvergne regions. The institute participates in the pan-European project "Transromanica," which is led by the Department of Cultural Heritage at the Council of Europe.
Prof.Ass. Elvida Pallaska, teaches various subjects on Regional and spatial Urban Studies at UBT. She graduated engineering/architectural studies at the University of Prishtina (1990- 5 yrs); Master’s program in the University of Erasmus/Institute for Housing and Urban Studies in Rotterdam (2005); Doctoral degree in the field of Regional Planning and Development in the Technical University of Tirana/Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Planning (2015).
She has more than 17 years of teaching experience, scientific research and lawmaking in public ISP and in Higher Education, contributed in INTL projects. Trainings worldwide: US/EPA Urban Environmental Studies/WDC; Japan – Sustainable Transport Planning/Nagoja, Norway/Sustainable Architecture,Energy efficiency Trondheim etc. She has participated in many intl conferences and congresses, published research papers in many scientific journals.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7716-2567
Hatice Kalfaoglu Hatipoglu, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara /TURKEY
Works at the Department of Architecture of AYBU as Assoc.Prof. Received her BArch., MSc and PhD degrees in Architecture and Planning from Vienna University of Technology. Worked in several architecture offices as architect in Austria such as Coop Himmelb(l)au, Zauchenberger, Espace. Major research interests are housing quality and assessment, sustainable design, flexible design in buildings, neighbourhoods, urban design and morphology, identity and design.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0716-7431
Todorka Ilija Samardzioska, born in Prilep in 1971, is a Macedonian civil engineer and academic. She holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the Wessex Institute of Technology, University of Wales, and serves as a Full Professor at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. With extensive expertise in mechanics, building materials, energy efficiency, and acoustics, she has held various academic leadership roles, including Head of Doctoral Studies and Vice Dean of Science. Todorka has contributed to numerous international scientific journals and research projects, focusing on sustainable building materials and energy-efficient construction.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8992-2279
Manja Kitek Kuzman is a professor of architecture at the Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Wood Science and Technology, University of Ljubljana. Her research and teaching interests revolve around developing wood construction, innovative use of wood, sustainable wood products and product design. The research interest also includes energy-efficient timber construction, building modernisation with prefabricated components, architects’ perception of engineer wood product, 3D-printing design and healthy-living environment with wood.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3764-4681
Ferhan Egemen Sunal is an academic and designer based in Skopje, North Macedonia. She holds a PhD in Art History from Istanbul Technical University and completed both her Master’s and Bachelor's degrees in Industrial Design at the same institution. She has also received the Honour Scholarship from Istanbul Technical University. She has a Master’s Degree in Interior Design from Florence Design Academy, Italy. Her research primarily focuses on the role of historical references in contemporary design, particularly within Turkish ceramic tiles, investigating how traditional design elements are reinterpreted in modern contexts. Ferhan has taught design history and methodology as a Professor and PhD at Yeditepe University and Bahçeşehir University. She served as the co-founder and the lead designer at Ferhan Design, a product design office in which she has earned recognition, including being a finalist in the Macef and Bombay Sapphire Design Contests. She continues to work at the intersection of tradition and contemporary design in both academic and professional settings.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4358-415X
