Sonja Bijelic

Sonja Bijelic is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at Temple University. She is a registered architect and principal of ArchSTUDIO2227, a Philadelphia-based firm with over 25 years of experience. Previously, she worked as an associate principal at Hillier Architecture in Philadelphia and for Philip Johnson and John Burgee in New York.

Education:

• Graduate Architecture Engineering (MArch Equivalent per EHEA), University of Belgrade
• March, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Research Focus: Her work explores innovative solutions for urban vacant lots in Philadelphia, integrating energy-efficient sustainable design to enhance community value. Research centers on correlations between building design, sustainability, and technological innovations, with emphasis on adaptive reuse of historic structures.

Awards & Recognition: Sonja has received 14 major architecture awards including:

• Preservation Alliance Grand Jury Award (2011)
• Multiple AIA Honor Awards from Richmond, NJ, and PA chapters
• Building Design & Construction Gold Reconstruction Award (2007)
• IIDA Interior Design Award (2006)
• Leaf International Renovation shortlist (2005-2006)

Professional Leadership: As principal of ArchSTUDIO2227, she leads projects combining historic preservation with modern sustainable design, notably the adaptive reuse of a 1916 power plant into Synygy World Headquarters.