Plāna is a Los Angeles based architecture studio founded by Branka Knezevic and rooted in design, sustainability and effective project management. We want our end product to be a catalyst for positive personal, social and environmental change and be a source of inspiration and joy. Our aesthetic is timeless and streamlined. We develop solutions that come from a deep understanding of our clients needs. And we stay around until they are implemented. We enjoy and celebrate the diversity of our clients that include schools, landowners and developers, private individuals and public institutions. Our projects range from academic, workspace, adaptive reuse and exhibit design to tenant improvements, interiors and single and multi family residential. Plāna has been engaged to provide full planning, architectural and interior design services and a wide variety other consultative services encompassing project management on large and complex projects and owner representation. While we marvel at the beauty of ideation and conceptualization, we are able to deliver on the realities of budget and construction through project management and technical development of building systems in collaboration with our core group of consultants, project stakeholders and general contractors.

Leads a team of designers and consultants in delivering complex, large scale cultural projects for a discerning clientele. Recognized problem solver, team builder and project planner with a keen sense for project strategy and delivery optimization. Participates in the development of high level competitions, carries out client presentations and works directly with clients at achieving their organizational goals through innovative design. Currently serves as project manager, project architect and technical lead on for an elite private school 18,000 sf 450-seat theater project in Los Angeles. Also leads a major renovation project for a Los Angeles non-profit organization. Participates in the creation of the next generation of architecture licensing exams as California Architects Board Subject Matter Expert. Operates a broad network of peers in promoting office work. Office wellness steward.

Proposal development, project planning and financial analysis of new and existing projects. Successfully applied innovating production models for fast paced projects and projects w/ limited budget allocations including outsourcing, highly efficient team structures and design excellence standards. Technical coordination and analysis on complex ground-up and core-and-shell projects as well as due diligence and regulatory agency approval coordination. Instilled quality control protocols as well as detailed task management tools for advanced project efficiency. Day to day project management and production coordination. Revit implementation point person responsible for planning, budgeting and coordinating time, money and resources toward the three stage transition to Autodesk Revit company wide including organizing and personally conducting educational sessions and seminars.

Responsible for full project coordination, including consultant coordination and is the architect of record on all current Unispace projects. Furthermore duties include selecting building systems consultants and assisting in fee negotiations, overseeing the general development and scheduling of contract documents, and is responsible in making sure the design intent is fully carried out. Works closely with the Unispace design team and the client to produce the best design possible thus enhancing the design reputation of the office. Additional responsibilities include: proposal preparation, project planning, budgeting and controlling time spent on project; reviewing all design services billings; assisting in the preparation of Owner/Architect and Architect/Consultant agreements; establishing additional service arrangements with client; developing, maintaining, nurturing and expanding client relationships; assisting owner and construction department with the bidding and negotiation phase including sub-contractor selection and preparing bid documents; BIM manager also responsible training and evaluations of design staff.

Perform and oversee space planning, building design, feasibility studies, review and resolve zoning and code compliance issues, as well as develop and oversee the production of client presentation materials including graphics, construction documents for several commercial TI's, retail and residential projects. Develop and oversee interior design packages, furniture design, conceptual layouts and select, specify and acquire finishes, furniture and equipment. Consult on real estate ventures and sustainable developments including LEED registration, documentation, and certification. Provides green building expertise where LEED is used either as a general framework or to achieve certification. As owner of Branka Studio, responsible for all marketing and business development efforts.

Development and oversight of construction drawings, consultant coordination as well as coordination of internal team of designers and drafting personnel, construction administration including the processing RFPs, ASIs, Change Orders, among others. Other duties included technical detailing, specification research, code compliance and obtaining agency approvals, interior space planing and selection of finishes, preparing client presentation and interfacing with clients on high profile projects. As LEED specialist I was involved in the LEED certification process for a number of LEED NC, CI, EB O&M, and LEED for Schools projects (i.e. development, oversight and processing of LEED submittal documents, consultant coordination, etc.) and was head of the internal sustainability program. Solely responsible for the development of an internal LEED AP Exam Prep course program that brought the number of LEED APs in the office from only few to 31 making the firm a true leader in sustainable development in the region. I also assisted in master planning studies, developed property condition assessments and site improvements packages, performed Revit data management for large and complex project types and assisted with a number of design charettes and value engineering exercises.

Developed client presentations, schematic design through construction documents packages for a number of high-end single-family residential new construction and renovation projects. Also performed code research and assisted with permit processing. Other activities include specifications and materials research, consultant coordination, Revit modeling, contractor interface and construction administration.