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Interviews with Dr Aleksandar Rudnik Milanovic

Designer profile

Designer of the Day Interview

19 March 2018

I made my first step as a designer before 25 years. In past two decades I made my design for RIBA Vauxhall Missing Link Competitions, LONDON/UK ; Ministry of culture ,Taipei Architectural Competition/ TAIWAN ROC; Ministry of science,International Architectural Competition ,BELGRADE / SERBIA ; City of Helsinki , nternational design competition for a proposed Guggenheim museum , Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the City of Helsinki/ FINLAND

Before I went to the college, I read a lot about all the design that was made by the masters of architecture. I was so thrilled about their work, and it was very easy for me to decide that the design process will be a part of my profession.

Inspired by natural environment my every designe was in same time, commissione and inspiration.

I enjoy in every phase of the design process.

I play keyboard and music was my best motivator for design.

I will be happy to create some of my design for the Ministry of culture of any country in the world, but also the hotels owners and the companies of a various type of business , that could be interesting in my architecture as a possible place for work and enjoy.

Just work hard and be patient ,and the reward will come, at the time when you maybe didnt expected to happen in some magic moment in future.

Draw with pencil first, and then try to create that sketches in the computer.

My day start with a big and wide open view to the sky and sun, and some smooth music like SADE that goes with every weather condition.

I do not belive in trends, except to create with materials that could be useful in architecture modeling.

With just one look , in a situation when good design make your focus in the space between all others design near by.

When there is no place for any question like " maybe it could be better".

The Museum Vagrant . Inspired by natural environment and in same time, commissione and inspiration for me and for everyone who could have a time to enjoy in my design.

Frank Lloyd Wright, Oscar Niemeyer and Santiago Calatrava ,Constantin Brancusi...

Casual, but if there is a chance to enjoy in some good suit I wear it with pleasure.

Simplicite and combination of minimalistic and organic design.

The life is empty, without opportunity to give your time and knowledge to someone who need it, and deserve to work for them without payment.

I was searching through the internet for information about the best organized international design competition with intentions to "land" my Crane bird building there ,and then I find https://www.adesignaward.com

Design Interview

8 May 2025 · Octagon Expo Pavilion

Nikola Tesla's remarkable public display of his invention at the 1893 Chicago Colombian Exposition, along with his famous Long Island Tower—representing his goal to connect the world through radio signals—motivated me to create this design as a homage to his commitment to improving the quality of life on planet Earth.

For centuries, the octagon, as a perfect geometric shape, has been employed in the design of public buildings, and the Tesla Tower embodies this architectural style, making the Octagon pavilion surrounding the Tower a fitting option to showcase this form in harmony with the same design philosophy.

I aim to present this design as a unique EXPO pavilion collection to all host EXPO nations globally that are eager to endorse OCTAGON and Nikola Tesla as a global scientific heritage, while also promoting their national inventions that can enhance overall quality of life

I spend around 6 months for preparing and creating the OCTAGON

The inspiration to dedicate part of my architecture to Nikola Tesla arose from my daily visits to the Architectural Faculty in Belgrade, Serbia, where he still resides in front of the building with an open book, encouraging me to discover the best ideas in architecture and, of course, to create something in his honor

This concept design was developed for my Studio and first showcased to SERBIA due to Nikola Tesla's Serbian heritage. Nonetheless, as SERBIA chose to create a pavilion akin to the Moroccan pavilion from DUBAI 2020 for its Serbian National pavilion at EXPO 2027, I will promote this design to other nations hosting EXPOs across the globe. It is also possible to set up this ensemble in the USA at Long Island sites where Tesla constructed a Tower that was dismantled in 1917

An opportunity to showcase the legacy of Nikola Tesla at a global EXPO event

This design draws inspiration from my colleague Stanford White's original tower design from Long Island, as well as the Octagon pavilion that encircles the tower, along with the sci-fi movies and cartoons I've encountered, which have also impacted my work on various space stations

ELON MUSK since he respect Nikola Tesla legacy he might be in situation to develop OCTAGON as one of his HQ

This design distinguishes itself from other concepts similarly to how Nikola Tesla distinguished himself from other scientists during his creative era

The OCTAGON has surfaced in various cultures, but one of the most significant is its link to Ba Gua, which serves as an excellent method to assess the energy field of your surroundings. This Octagon will feature those precious energy fields surrounding the Tesla tower that simply promote his mission regarding the using of energy in their best way

I create pencil drawings, followed by 2D and 3D illustrations, and the post-production, particularly for lighting and materialization, came with tools developed by my excellent colleague Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Shakour and his team at https://mnml.ai/

The idea that with this design Nikola Tesla legacy will be promoted in 21 century

I work with some close associate in my Studio RUDA

The primary focus of this design will be the energy efficiency system in technology

I explored numerous books on Nikola Tesla's life to sense his energy field and conducted research on the symbols and approach in spacecraft design as well

The primary challenge was to link the Tower with the Octagon, which was achieved through the columns designed to resemble lightning strikes, serving as supports for the atrium's glass roof

I have been involved with A Design Award since its initial presence as an online competition. A brilliant mind behind all this is my colleague Dr Onur Cobanli and his doctoral thesis about the best online competition and the rest is history and future of this great competition

Every step in designing of this work was impressive like Nikola Tesla spirit was with me all the time

Always strive to create something beneficial for humanity with your thoughts. Nikola Tesla was not concerned about money, but without individuals willing to invest, humanity would lack many inventions that enhance our quality of life.

Designer Interview

8 May 2025

The real pathway for artist is constant upgrading of the sense for a beauty with a hard work on skills that in time will be more sharper and brighter. Since my childhood I draw a different kind of scenes from a real life, mixed with a copy from the cartoon scenery that has been published on paper. The satisfaction with those drawings spontaneous lead me to step by step to the decision to become a architectural designer.

More than twenty years from now... 3d modeling was set up in a form that could help me to create and to see my design in every possible space angle, I start to practice architectural design in a very devoted way.

Design is a moment in time, when idea of creation came out from a pile of idea of possible solution for the creation

Design is not a status of mind love to create something ,design is a gift to create everything that human needs in space.

Octagon EXPO PAVILION made in Nikola Tesla honor .

Movable expo information unit.

Steel, concrete, glass, fibre re-inforced plastic, composite and wood panels.

Organic and sculptural form of designe.

Good divine vibration becouse of making something, that will have a purpose as an object , and that could in the same time produce a good vibration for everyone that could feel that positive energy.

Joy that the process of my design, could establish the communication with a real environment.

The happiness of the people who could enjoy just to look or to use the space that I design.

There is no good, or bad design , just the design that provoke or don't provoke the spectators .

A great one. But only if the design is unique. On the other side the promotion of an idea that has been taken from other authors could be scandalous like in case of Serbian National Pavilion for EXPO 2027 that is similar with Morocco Pavilion from Dubai 2020.

With a new materials ... but evolving couldn't happen, without an a good idea.

In London in Vauxhall park...My next maybe in some gallery in Milano in Italy and Belgrade in Serbia off course.

LOVE in every magic way...

RUDNIK style ...

In Kragujevac / Serbia. My place for living could be everywhere on earth, but the Serbia and my hometown Kragujevac, has a great people and the nature enviroment and it is well enough, for a good design inspiration so far...

One-off contracts

call A DESIGNE AWARDED DESIGNER mediators

step by step , until the design itself has stopped to ask for another one step...

Lounge chair,table,lamp,sofa,kitchen as a full designe items.

Enjoying in time that I could spend with my wife and daughter, who gives me the positive energy and inspiration for good working conditions and the chance to design something new and beautiful.

First you look and "read" the masters design piece of art, to feel the energy and a path for creation , and when you feel inside that is the time to start ...create your own design with one special note... that the time for designing process is always in a comparative mode with the quality of the design itself.

There is no negative way...the designing process is gods will , that's always results with a good cause.

Do what you feel that is right to do ... and listen to your alter ego.

Computer skills just as an old school design with a paper and pencil.

Emotions, pencil, paper (for read and for write), computer.

when the design is in the right hands , there is always a time for everything

Depends on a task, but always in time that could be expected .

Where I find the inspiration for a designe ?

Vauxhall One & RIBA Competitions, London/UK Ministry of culture ,Taipei Architectural Competition/ TAIWAN ROC Ministry of science,Belgrade Architectural Competition / SERBIA

I enjoy in every type of design that is based on needs for an architectural creation

A new design creation for a new interesting people and spaces

My design rises mostly as "me myself and J" production from beginning till the end but... it is always easier to work with a good team of professionals

TESLA Carusel Pavilion

A designe award contacts...or http://rs.linkedin.com/pub/aleksandar-rudnik-milanovic/37/407/32a

Grand Interview

19 November 2025 · Octagon Expo Pavilion

Given that Nikola Tesla played a significant role in illuminating the Chicago Expo of 1893, it felt entirely natural to pay architectural homage to his legacy. The Octagon Expo Pavilion draws direct inspiration from Tesla’s visionary octagonal tower concept, reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens of sustainable design and innovation. This project not only honors Tesla’s contribution to the history of science and architecture but also explores the possibility of reimagining his great tower as a symbol of clean energy, connectivity, and forward-thinking design in today’s context.

As the atrium required supporting columns, the idea of shaping them like lightning bolts naturally emerged as an extension of the pavilion’s core symbolism. These dynamic, lightning-shaped columns not only embody Tesla’s association with energy and innovation, but also serve a functional and experiential purpose. They can be illuminated during special events, transforming the structure into a spectacular light show that evokes the visual power of lightning strikes, further reinforcing the connection between architecture, energy, and inspiration.

The Octagon Expo Pavilion is intentionally organized into eight independent pavilion segments, each approximately 370 square meters. With a gross surface area of 15,000 square meters, including a glazed atrium courtyard and a green roof terrace, this modular layout provides maximum functional versatility and supports the accommodation of a wide range of Expo-related programs and services. By employing a hierarchy of spaces and varied volumetric scales, the design fosters a sense of human proportion and experiential intimacy within the larger monumental framework, while ensuring clear circulation paths and maintaining overall architectural coherence across the complex.

Adaptability is a central, multifunctional quality of the Octagon Expo Pavilion. The design anticipates the building’s post-Expo lifecycle, allowing it to be efficiently transformed into residential, office, or mixed-use spaces. This flexibility not only extends the functional lifespan of the structure, reducing the environmental impact associated with demolition and reconstruction, but also promotes long-term sustainability. By enabling the pavilion to respond to evolving community needs, the project ensures continued social and economic integration, creating a dynamic, living asset rather than a single-purpose exhibition venue.

The Octagon Expo Pavilion balances historical homage with cutting-edge sustainability by integrating Tesla-inspired symbolism with advanced energy-efficient technologies. The tower features a solar-panel glass façade, promoting Nikola Tesla’s vision of green energy and efficient power use, while an integrated water recycling system ensures responsible management of resources within the pavilion. Additionally, the sensor-controlled operable roof over the atrium enables natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. Together, these strategies honor Tesla’s legacy while demonstrating how historical inspiration can coexist with contemporary sustainable architecture.

The observation platform, situated at the highest point of the tower, functions as a multifunctional space that offers visitors a panoramic view of the entire Expo site. From this elevated perspective, users can fully appreciate the architectural composition, spatial organization, and landscape integration of the pavilion and its surroundings. By providing both a visual and experiential vantage point, the platform enhances engagement with the design, allowing visitors to understand the scale, rhythm, and interconnectedness of the complex in a way that ground-level views cannot.

The Octagon Expo Pavilion is organized into eight individual pavilions, all accessible from the central atrium, which serves as the primary circulation hub. This layout ensures seamless connectivity both between the lobby and each pavilion and from pavilion to pavilion, while also allowing direct access from the courtyard to the individual pavilions. The design prioritizes efficient flow and intuitive wayfinding, creating a user experience that is both cohesive and flexible, enabling visitors to navigate the complex naturally while enjoying clear visual and spatial connections throughout the site.

The glass atrium serves as the central focal point of the pavilion, acting as a lobby that seamlessly connects the eight pavilions with the tower. Beyond its spatial and visual significance, the atrium enhances the building’s environmental performance: its roof is sensor-controlled to open automatically in response to external weather conditions, enabling natural ventilation and reducing reliance on mechanical systems. At the same time, the atrium enriches the experiential quality of the space, filling it with natural light and creating an open, airy environment that emphasizes connectivity and transparency throughout the pavilion.

The Octagon Expo Pavilion embodies a bridge between Tesla’s era and contemporary innovation, offering a dynamic environment that can inspire future generations of scientists and innovators. Its ground floor is designed for exhibitions, showcasing technological advancements and historical achievements, while the second floor can function as a research and innovation center, fostering creativity and experimentation. The tower houses office spaces, supporting focused work and collaboration, and the observation platform at the top provides the public with a panoramic perspective, encouraging engagement with the building and its surroundings. By combining educational, professional, and experiential functions, the pavilion demonstrates how architecture can actively support knowledge, creativity, and inspiration.

While the Bronze A’ Design Award is an honor, it does not fully reflect the significance of Tesla’s vision embodied in the Octagon Expo Pavilion. This design is a unique, multifunctional space rooted in the octagonal geometry of the tower and pavilions—a shape traditionally associated with positive energy, particularly in Chinese culture. In this context, the award ranking does not fully capture the conceptual strength, innovative spatial strategies, and formal quality of the project. Nonetheless, the recognition reinforces the importance of integrating symbolic meaning with architectural functionality, a principle that continues to guide my current and future projects.
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