ALBANIAN ARCHITECTS: AFRODITA LUARASI ABDIU

A brief description of you, where you work, how many years of experience you have and your area of expertise.

I was born in Prilep, Republic of North Macedonia, where I completed the primary and secondary school. I graduated at the Faculty of Architecture in Skopje and now I live and work in Tetovo.

During my graduate studies in Skopje, I met the love of my life (my husband), who was studying  in the same building, at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, one floor below,

Thinking that we are a good duo to work together, both artlovers, we decided to establish an interior design studio to work with an unusual style of design, with something that would give a new spirit to the city and that will make us proud.

In 2007, we were lucky enough to work on a for a coffee bar project in Tetovo, and the history of  LD studio begins. In 2009 we also opened our small studio, where for 14 years now we have been working and creating with love .

Why did you choose architecture? What was the spark that led you to this profession?

Spark?! It was not a spark, but it was the love for art from childhood. I played the piano, I loved ballet, but my love for painting was always among all others.

First of all, since primary school I fell in love with the word "architecture" (this word sounded so beautiful to me) and since then I decided that I will become an architect, even though I didn't really know what it meant at that time

Than years passed, the desire to be an architect grew until it became a reality. There was not a moment until now have I thought that I was wrong, on the contrary, if I had to choose one more time, without a doubt I would have chosen architecture allover again.

What has been the most challenging project for you? Why?

I have worked on many projects such as  residential or commercial, houses, cafeterias, restaurants and many more, within my country or abroad. However I think each one has been challenging, but I will always remember our first project,as mentioned before,  "Chill Out" coffee bar project. That project was  not only designed with a lot of love, but also realized with a lot of love, all those details that we worked together with my husband!

With that project I can say that we brought a new style in the city which the young people adored.

What do you think of architecture and which is the project that best represents you?

For me, architecture represents a tool through which the architect as an artist can express himself/herself, transforming what he/she feels  inside into something visible, into something tangible. Create something that others admire, love and enjoy.

For example, I love nature and I want to interpret it in architecture. I want to use natural materials in interior projects and I love greenery, wood, flowers... I adore them. As a better example, I can mention one of my favorite projects, which best represents me :  "Garden" coffee bar. A project we worked on with great pleasure. "Garden" is a chain of bars where you can find: a coffee bar, a restaurant and healthy foods, and all of them are an interpretation of nature. In my opinion, these are "must see" projects if you visit Tetova.

What advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career, valid even for young architects or those girls/women who want to become architects? 

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do”

 

You cannot give better advice than this, inspired by  Bukowski quote: "find what you love and let it kill you" and never forget that sometimes you will fall, but it will make you stronger.

What inspires you in your work? (Artist/architect)?

It gives me strength to continue!

Three projects that you want us to feature on pikark.com

Garden, 2014

Coffee bar

Pizza Garden, 2017

Restaurant

Çento House, 2020

Apartment