Biography
An award-winning design leader, Sasha is a Principal at Gensler with more than 27 years of global experience shaping complex, high-profile buildings and the multidisciplinary teams that deliver them. He co-leads the firm's global Lifestyle sector and drives studio operations and strategic growth across the North Central Region.
Known for blending bold design with high performance, Sasha creates buildings that are both innovative and deeply responsive to their context, an approach he sums up as detail equals performance equals beauty. His portfolio spans internationally recognized, award-winning work, including Shanghai Tower, Manila's World Plaza and Finance Centre Tower, Chicago's Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Fulton West, and 333 North Green, all grounded in strong client partnerships and great teams. A frequent voice in the design community, he has partnered with the United Nations and UN-Habitat and chaired CTBUH's Chicago chapter (now CVU). He mentors the next generation of architects across three continents.
I've learned that the best design comes from listening first. The relationships that shaped my career were built over time: earning a client's trust and delivering on one project opens the door to the next. That story of trust is what design excellence is really made of.
Selected Projects
![[NEEDS INPUT: alt text]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/iexz7ctt/development/3ce2e42cc8114fd8e393b141d934cccb28149088-6000x3525.jpg?w=3840&q=75&auto=format&fit=max)
![[NEEDS INPUT: alt text]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/iexz7ctt/development/6081c9de2dfdfbdbfcade9e067991a9cd922e7ee-6000x4001.jpg?w=3840&q=75&auto=format&fit=max)
![[NEEDS INPUT: alt text]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/iexz7ctt/development/64c10e9c0f94e432ce0b8aa984fe4d7b02c2fe06-2550x1650.jpg?w=3840&q=75&auto=format&fit=max)
Qualifications and Recognition
Master of Architecture, University of Illinois at Chicago
Master of Architecture, University of Belgrade
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Belgrade
Registered Architect: Illinois, Ohio
NCARB Certified, LEED AP BD+C
Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Member, Council on Vertical Urbanism (formerly known as the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat)
Member, Urban Land Institute (ULI) National / Product Council Member, Urban Land Institute (ULI) Chicago Chapter
Presenter, Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU), London — 2026 (upcoming)
Homecoming lecture, Politehnička škola, Valjevo, Serbia — 2026
Juror & lecturer, Salon of Architecture, Belgrade — 2023
Keynote speaker, Belgrade International Biennale of Architecture — 2021
Guest lecturer, Physics and Contemporary Architecture (PHSC-11800), University of Chicago — 2020, 2021, 2022
Presenter, CTBUH International Conference, Chicago — 2019
Presenter, Facades+ Chicago — 2019
Presenter, CTBUH International Conference, Dubai & Abu Dhabi — 2018
Guest speaker, CTBUH International Conference, Australia (Sydney & Melbourne) — 2017
Guest speaker, Advanced Building Skins (ABS) Conference, Bern, Switzerland — 2017
Guest speaker, CTBUH International Conference, China (Shanghai) — 2014
Guest speaker, CTBUH International Conference, Europe
(London) - 2012
Presenter, ICBEST Conference — 2010
Speaker, United Nations conferences (In Partnership with UN Department of Ageing, UN Habitat Program and the International Council for Caring Communities), New York — 2000–2010
Partner/Collaborator, United Nations, UN Department of Ageing UN-Habitat, International Council for Caring Communities
Chair, CTBUH Young Professionals Committee (2012–2017)
Member, Lifeline Organization Chicago