Biography

SLOBODAN S. BEKVALAC, R.A., LEED AP

5266 Post Road
Riverdale, NY 10471

EDUCATION:

University of Stuttgart, Germany, Postgraduate Studies, Ph.D. Program, 1975/1976 Mentor: Prof. Antero Martekini.
University of Belgrade, YU, School of Architecture, (5 1/2 years program),
Graduated in March 1973

LICENSES:

Registered Architect in the State of New York, 1988
LEED AP New York 2009
Registered Architect YU Belgrade, 1978

EXPERIENCE:

NYC SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY, LIC

February 1991 to Present – Architect C title

 

Project Leader, Project Architect and Project Designer for following line projects:

 

All City Leadership Secondary School in Brooklyn

This, $32,000,000 complex and non-typical junior/high school for 500 students, now in operation, was done on time and within the budget. I was leading the team combined of 20 architects and engineers. It includes schematic and preliminary design, many presentations and negotiations, coordination of architectural and functional aspects of the project, coordination with lead engineers regarding mechanical and infrastructural systems, specifications and estimate to final bid documents.

Leon M. Goldstein H. S. for Sciences at Kingsborough Campus

This, $47,600,000 complex and non-typical high school for 1,000 students, built in 2004. I was leading the team combined of 25 architects and engineers through all phases of the design. It includes schematic and preliminary design, many presentations and negotiations, coordination of architectural and functional aspects of the project, coordination with lead engineers regarding mechanical and infrastructural systems, specifications and estimate to final bid documents. It is considered the most prestigious New York school site on the see shore.

  1. S. 7 in Brooklyn

Design-Bid package for this primary school for 900 student was done in very short period starting with the Feasibility Study conducted for several potential sites. After the site selection, we (the team I was leading) developed Pre-shematic and Schematic Design where we presented various design alternates to BOE. Finally, preferred alternate was developed as Preliminary Design used as base documents for further development and construction of the school. Total value of this school was cca. $27,000,000. During the construction documents phase and construction I had supervisory role.

ACORN H.S. in Brooklyn 

Feasibility study for this school is part of BOE Lease Program. I did feasibility study for conversion of an industrial building into 600 student’s high school. It was challenging task, to fit the school program into existing six-story building. After Preliminary Design, the contractor/owner/design team completed the project in just 12 months. I did have supervisory role during the construction period.

  1. S. 24 in Brooklyn

School in Sunset Park area of Brooklyn was my first big project for SCA. My involvement span the time from initial planing in 1992 to the school opening in 1996. We did start the school design without even owning the site and we did finished in 16 months, on time and within the budget. During the construction, I did spend two days per week supervising the progress and implementation of our standards. Total budget for this school was $22,000,000.

EXPERIENCE:

NYC SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY, LIC – continued

The projects, listed at page 1, represent the major volume of work I did perform having combined title – Project Leader, Project Architect and Project Designer. Following is the list of responsibilities:

  • Conceptual, preliminary and final designs for new buildings as well as conversion of existing buildings,
  • Presentation of design solutions to BOE, School Districts representatives, my supervisors and SCA review groups, Community Districts panel reviews etc.,
  • Leading the multi-disciplinary teams (up to 25 professionals) including budget and time allocations, scheduling and coordination,
  • Briefing my supervisors about the progress of the design or construction, scheduling, time budgeting and team performance,
  • Developing or reviewing the specifications for complex projects,
  • Presenting the projects at the various stages to estimating group including review of estimates,
  • Active participation in the process of design and development of all engineering and infrastructural systems,
  • Filling and reviewing documents with agencies for all required approvals,
  • Developing and coordinating details including implementation of our standards and recommendations for their improvements,
  • Supervising team members work and adjusting the individual responsibilities based on the real (as opposed to scheduled) circumstances,
  • Maintaining the project as a whole at required level of the development for each phase and identifying the weak points, points to be developed or coordinated,
  • Coordination with assigned Project Management Group regarding fundamental construction and scheduling conflicts,
  • Supervising shop drawings review completion and implementation on site,
  • Reviewing and justifying change orders and construction means, if different than designed,
  • Signing and sealing construction document seta as Architect of Record (total construction cost exceeding $100,000,000.),
  • Preparing professional reports, evaluating alternate means of construction and other similar material

Project Leader, Project Architect and Project Designer for following CIP projects:

Exterior Modernizations, Room Conversions, Additions – Various Projects

  1. S. 77 in Brooklyn, complete exterior renovation including upgrade of mechanical electrical and plumbing systems as well as interior upgrade – $8,000,000 construction budget.
  2. S. 183 in Bronx, complete exterior renovation including upgrade of some interior spaces.
  3. S. 246 in Brooklyn, conversion of Shop Classroom into new TV Studio. Franklin K. Lane H.S. in Queens, conversion of various spaces including new Home Economics Classroom and TV Studio.

Revision of three TV Studios in three new intermediate schools – I. S. 2 in Brooklyn, I. S. 5 in Queens and I. S. 9 in Manhattan. Modification of entrances at I. S. 137 in Bronx (my first project with SCA).

  1. S. 5 in Staten Island, legalization of construction activities which where done without proper approvals.

Old Boys H. S. in Brooklyn – Athletic Field Renovation, modernization of remote athletic field and field house and other projects.

 

All these projects are completed by now. Construction budgets range between $300,000 and $8,000,000. In my opinion, each of these projects, even small ones, have something very specific to deal with – full professional attention is always required.

EXPERIENCE:

NYC SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY, LIC – continued

Project Architect and Project Designer for following Feasibility Studies: 

I did develop, at least, ten (10) feasibility studies for new Early Childhood Centers, new Primary and High Schools and Additions to existing school. Feasibility study phase require complex approach to many of crucial aspects at conceptual level including Zoning and Program Requirements. It should represent a solid base for all other phases with great certainty.

In addition, I am involved with the review and evaluation of our consultants and in-house architects work – Scope Reports, Construction Documents at various phases, Design/Bid sets and Change Orders (30 projects).

Supervising and managing an architectural minority consultant firm with $500,000. design fee contract was my responsibility in 1995. In the last few years (depending on availability of time), I am taking part in the work of Technical Architectural Committee on the reviews and recommendations of our new standards. Lately, after implementation of new management system in our office I was assigned to lead a group of 15 architects and supervised their work. This task should not take more than a day per week of my time.

As a conclusion, I can make a statement regarding my work – I never missed the deadline, all projects where within the budget without any serious omission or large change order.

DAVIS, BRODY AND ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS, NYC

November 1985 to February 1991 – Start as Design Architect and resign as Senior Design Architect in 1991. Arch. Lew Davis – Partner (212) 633-4700

 

Project Architect, Project Designer:

 

  • New York Public Library Jewish Division – ($600,000.)

·         New York Public Library South Court

  • New York Public Library Stacks Expansion – ($14,000,000.)

Design Team Member:

 

  • Baruch College Site “A” Renovation
  • SUNY Buffalo (Natural Sciences Building)

 

Construction Documents/Coordination:

 

  • Sheldon Solow Apartment Tower, 525 East 72nd Street
  • MSKCC Research/Conference Center
  • Lehigh Valley Laboratories (AT&T)
  • Harvard Medical School E.Q.R.F.

 

In 1985, I did have offers from three excellent architectural offices – I.M.Pei, Davis, Brody and Associates Architects and Eggers Group. Decision to join DBA was not an easy one.

They where known as an office with the attitude to give the architects the chance to grow. During 5 1/2 years with DBA, I gained the experience to deal with big projects in American way. I was exposed to all phases of the design, all segments of large projects and most of the contemporary materials. Lew Davis is a great architect, experimenting intellectual and great teacher. My responsibilities included design, development of the details, coordination, and contacts with consultants, clients, and even writing proposals.   

 

 ANTHONY M. PUCILLO, ARCHITECT, NEW ROCHELLE, NY

November 1983 to November 1985

Designer/Draftsman involved in approximately ten projects.

JOSEPH ROTH, ARCHITECTS, P.C. YONKERS, N.Y.

December 1982 to November 1983

Designer/Draftsman involved in approximately three projects.

YU EXPERIENCE:

BELGRADE CITY PLANING & DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, YU

July 1979 to October 1982

I was invited to join City Planing Institute for very specific projects and studies:

  • Member of a team for Development of Master plan of City of Belgrade.
  • Head of a team for selection of sites for various projects in Belgrade including:

The Bank of Belgrade, The American Embassy, The Czech. Trade Center etc.

After three years of experiences with the urban planing and the studies of physical structures, I was ready for new challenges. Than I came to the United States.

RTV CENTER ARCHITECTS WITH ARH. UGLJESA BOGUNOVIC, BELGRADE, YU   

June 1976 to July 1979

  • Project Architect #2  (Second Author) for  new  buildings  for  Radio Television Complex  in Belgrade,
  • Master Plan of the complex was published in limited edition for Belgrade City Planing Authority.
  • Design Development, Construction Documents  and Site Supervision  for nine buildings 1,100,000.S.F. (One building was completed, one was under construction)

PROF. IVAN ANTIC, ARCHITECT, BELGRADE, YU

1970 to 1976 – part time association during my school years

 

  • Sports Center “Pinki” in Belgrade,
  • Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade,
  • Library and Hotel “L” cat. (four stars) in  Vrnjacka Banja,
  • Design Competition for Main Train Station in Belgrade and many others

 

CAD EXPERIENCE:

 

Twenty years of intensive computer use – Macintosh and IBM platforms with several CAD applications, Arris, AutoCAD, MiniCad & Autotrol and other graphic, word processing and spread sheet applications.

                                    OTHER PROJECTS & PUBLICATIONS:

  • My own house 3,000SF in Stari Banovci, near Danube published in Dec.1982 in Yugoslavian  architectural  journal  “MOJA  KUCA”,
  • Development of Open Architectural System “OAS”. Basic idea is to bring the Architecture and all elements of the Construction Industry up to the level of the today’s industrial giants, something similar to General Motors or Microsoft. Integration of all levels of design, marketing, manufacturing, constructing, sale, financing and maintenance activities under the umbrella of OPEN ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEM

 

 

COMPETITIONS:

 

  • New Library  at  Alexandria,  Egypt,  750,000 S.F.
  • Cultural Arts  Center,  Newport  News,  Virginia,
  • Competition for Marx and Engels Square, Bgd, w/arch U.Bogunovic¡1979 (2nd Prize)
  • Sports Center 160,000 S.F. in Bosnia w/arch. S. Krmar, 1979 (3rd Prize)
  • Museum of City of Belgrade, 140,000 S.F.
  • Residential complex  for  12,000  residents, Belgrade¡ 1972 (5th Prize)

OTHER:

AWARDS:

 

  • First Prize for the final architectural thesis in 1973, University of Belgrade,
  • Best student awards for the first and third  year, Faculty of Architectural School, University of Belgrade, 1968 and 1970,

 

HONORS:

 

  • Admitted to The Federation of Applied Artists and Designers of Yugoslavia, 1983

 

EXHIBITIONS:

 

Exhibitions of Graphic Design Circle in Belgrade, 1976 and 1979