Aesthetic Citizen

Abstract

In this story, Aida Bratović explores the historical influences of growing up in Sarajevo on her work and career in the UK and worldwide. This paper reflects on how beauty and tradition, with the incorporation of modern needs, shapes contemporary projects. Her work is inspired by cultural heritage, history and a private story. Displacement, whether due to conflict, economic necessity, or personal choice, profoundly impacts professional development. Her journey exemplifies how displacement can serve as both challenge and catalyst for innovation in architectural practice. Bratović’s design philosophy is rooted in storytelling and personal experience, merging heirlooms and salvaged artefacts with contemporary forms to create emotionally resonant spaces. Drawing from architectural phenomenology, she sees design as an expression of memory, place, and human experience. Her interiors often juxtapose old and new in ways that seem spontaneous, yet are deeply intentional. The result is an architecture that not only functions, but speaks — telling stories of resilience, identity, and cultural continuity.