Photo: Shantanu Starick
Project V Architecture is an international prizewinning architecture studio working in Sarajevo and London. The studio was co-founded in 2017 by architects Vernes Causevic and Lucy Dinnen, who together have over 25 years of architectural work experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), United Kingdom (UK) and across the Western Balkans.
Whether we are working at the scale of a city, a building or a room, we believe that architecture is a tool for creating places that are more environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. We have a research-led approach to design and believe that an in-depth understanding of context is a prerequisite for creating meaningful projects that have a positive contribution to their site, society and the planet. We explore new ideas for improving the way people live and work in the built environment and we place great importance on craftsmanship and working with natural materials.
As experts in the field of environmentally sustainable and socially engaged architecture, we combine practice with research and teaching in B&H, the UK and the EU, especially on projects dealing with sustainable post-war reconstruction. We also teach as part of the Global Free Unit (a global network for independent architectural education) and lead the MArch Design Studio 'Resilient Futures' at the University of Sheffield (UK).
Vernes Causevic BArch DipArch ARB
Vernes is an ARB registered Architect with over 12 years experience, working in the UK, Bosnia & Herzegovina (B&H) and across the Western Balkans. He has led the design of a diverse range of international award-winning urban and architectural projects and competitions of various scales and types; with an emphasis on sustainable reconstruction and social cohesion in the post-war context of B&H and the Western Balkans. He graduated from the Free Unit, London Metropolitan University in 2011, with ‘Space for Exchange; A Sustainable Return to Srebrenica’ - a self-initiated project, which was awarded an international RSA Resourceful Architect award. Vernes gained professional experience working for Avanti Architects and Phelan Architects in London and Zvi Hecker Architects in Berlin (2008-2017).
Vernes founded Project V Architecture UK in 2015 and co-founded Projekt V Arhitektura Sarajevo in 2017 with architect Lucy Dinnen, with a focus on developing meaningful socially and environmentally sustainable projects. This includes his role as lead architect for the flagship rammed earth Peace Centre in Prijedor, B&H, with Bosnia-UK charity Most Mira, alongside which he has been developing a participatory education programme called ‘Architecture for Peace’. This project was awarded the prestigious International LafargeHolcim European Silver Award for Sustainable Construction in 2021 and was a New European Bauhaus Finalist in 2023. Alongside practice, Vernes has a keen interest in research and teaching. He leads the Sarajevo Classroom of the Global Free Unit, a global network for independent architectural education. He is co-tutor of MArch Studio Resilient Futures at the University of Sheffield School of Architecture.
Lucy Dinnen BArch DipArch ARB
Lucy is an Architect and Educator with over 13 year experience working in the UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and across the Western Balkans. Her experience covers a range of projects focusing on Culture, Education and Commercial sectors. Most notably as an Architect on the award winning; Here East, London and The University of East Anglia Bob Champion Education and Research Building, whilst at Hawkins\Brown. Lucy has experience as a Client advisor and Project Manager at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London overseeing the delivery of V&A East.
In 2017 Lucy co-founded the Sarajevo studio, Projekt V Arhitektura d.o.o., with Vernes Causevic. Since opening the studio, they have been focusing on developing projects in B&H and western Balkans. Most notably the multi-award winning Most Mira Peace Centre, and Half House. Recently the Studio have started a number of commissions across Croatia.
Lucy leads the MArch Design Studio; Resilient Futures, at the University of Sheffield School of Architecture, is a Visiting Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Cities at University of Westminster and has previously taught at The Cass School of Architecture, London, and at IBU Sarajevo. She is an Oral Examiner on the RIBA Part III Professional Practice course at the University of Westminster and Birmingham City University. Lucy graduated from The Cass School of Architecture with a Distinction and a Prize for Best Portfolio, and has experience at both Blueprint Magazine (UK) and Journal of Aesthetics and Protest (LA).