Architecture for Zanzibar and East Africa
MAREA is an architectural studio shaped by work across Europe, South America, and the Balkans, and by direct experience of living and working in Zanzibar.
What began as a short stay on the island grew into long-term collaborations with local and international clients. Working both remotely and on site, the studio develops projects that balance international architectural standards with local climate conditions, materials, and construction practices.
Today, MAREA focuses on residential, hospitality, and small-scale development projects in Zanzibar and the wider East African context. Our work is grounded in practicality, environmental awareness, and a respect for local culture—seeking clear, durable solutions rather than formal gestures.
Nevena Videnov
Nevena Videnov is an architect educated at Politecnico di Milano and the University of Belgrade, with professional experience on projects across Spain, Italy, Russia, Serbia, Argentina, and Africa.
After working on larger-scale architectural projects, she now focuses on independent practice, allowing for close involvement in every phase of design and construction. Her work centers on smaller-scale residential and hospitality projects, where careful attention to context, proportion, materials, and everyday use plays a central role.
Through MAREA, Nevena brings together international experience and local knowledge, aiming to create spaces that are functional, climate-responsive, and quietly expressive — architecture that serves both place and people.
Nebojsa Kolarevic
Nebojsa Kolarevic is an architect trained at IUAV University of Venice and Politecnico di Milano, currently based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His work focuses on hospitality architecture, alongside residential projects.
After several years working on hospitality and coworking projects developed across more than 20 countries and five continents, his practice centers on hotel and accommodation projects at different scales. His experience combines work on projects developed for international use with careful attention to local climate, context, and everyday use.
Collaborators
Luis Ramos, Architect — Visualization
Malena Blanco, Architect
Djordje Saric, Architect
Zivko Petrovic, Construction Engineer
Camille Schlick — Photography