Staff Profiles
4M’s success is the fusion of architects, designers, builders and artisans together to make a whole, encapsulating a multicultural plethora of skill, with each team member providing their own intimate contribution towards a unified goal.
These are the people behind the names and faces:
Përparim RamaCEOThe CEO and Founding Director of 4M Group is Kosovan born Perparim Rama – an award-winning Architectural Designer and Conceptual Artist. His distinctly integrated approach and passion for architecture has been presented in numerous media publications: London Building Design Magazine, BBC, RAI, The Times Newspaper; and his project works are visible in more than 20 countries around the globe. Rama is regularly requested to speak at conferences and functions. Most recently, he presented at TEDx talks in Prishtina, Kosovo and Tirana, Albania on the impact of built environment on human behaviour. He currently sits on the panel for the World Interior News Awards as a judge on luxury hotels, bars and restaurants.
Rama completed his first RIBA Part 1 BA (Hons) from London South Bank University School of Architecture in 1998, followed by his RIBA Part II Postgraduate Degree from the University of East London School of Architecture in 2003. Also that year, Rama completed his Masters with Distinction from the Centre for Evolutionary Computing in Architecture (CECA).
Since that time, aside from his successes with 4M Group, his career has catapulted to include accomplishments such as being a consultant for the 2012 London Olympics, project leader in designing the Urban Regulating Plan for London city, and proudly making history at the 13th Venice Biennale in 2012, as the first person to represent Kosovo in the event.
Despite having a team of superior directors, Rama continues to take a hands on approach to his work, and is intimately involved with each and every one of 4M’s projects. For Rama, the love for architectural design and space transcends beyond lines and measurements. He has a natural gift that sees beyond looking, with an unrivalled ability to acutely cement the essence of being into a project's foundations, forging a space that is in itself is a physical representation of a client's vision.
Rama is heavily immersed in sustainable development strategies and incorporates this into all of 4M projects– making sure that all undertakings are assessed by a sustainable engineer, and utilises recyclable materials.
He assists the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) as a peer reviewer and specialist consultant for Qatar's 2030 Vision for Doha. Rama is a visiting critic to various university architectural programmes, and is a former tutor for the Nottingham University School of Architecture. He was popular amongst his students for his avidity for teaching and mentoring aspiring architects.
Within 4M Group, he is well respected by all of his employees through his diligence as an entrepreneur, Rama's unwavering devotion to his work, and his compelling zeal for life, both as a friend and a colleague. His positive energy is infectious.
Random fact
I am a surprisingly good underwater swimmer, and am able to hold my breath for a long time.
Favourite quote
"Things are the way they are because they got that way." -D’Arcy Thomson
Causes that are close to my heart
I donate to several charities: cancer and heart charities, as well as running marathons to raise money for children who have escaped from war torn countries, and most recently having run the Paris Marathon with my wife in April 2013, to raise money for a friend, a stroke victim, paralysed by his illness.
In another life
I would want to come back as a burst of positive energy that helps uplift people in need.
Why I do what I do
My Father was a famous artist, and taught me how to appreciate art and have passion for what you do. When he wasn’t around, my Grandfather would teach me how to make mud bricks, and how to make enclosures from twisting tree branches. I thought architecture would combine art and science beautifully together, and honour them both.
Dream ambition
Having a loving, happy and healthy family!
Leisure time
I meditate every morning and night. It is amazing for staying so relaxed and focused in my everyday life.
Historical figure I admire
Maharishi Maresh Yogi for his enlightened intelligence, calmness and passion to help people of the world.
Photography: Fadil Berisha 2016 ©
Fitim Muçaj Operational Director/ Architect 4M PrishtinaProject Manager, and responsible for all the regional operations in our Prishtina office, is Fitim Mucaj.
Fitim has always been destined to become an Architect - a realisation stemming from a total childhood spent gazing in admiration at buildings and structures.
It is no surprise then, that in 2003 he graduated with a Master of Architecture and Engineering, from the faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the University of Pristina, and is a current board member of the Association of Architects of Kosova (AAK).
What inspires me
The harmonising calm of the natural landscape, that encapsulates the playful dance of light and shadows.
Leisure time
Fishing, photography, and hugging my kids.
Motto for life
"Under-promise, over deliver."
If I won the lottery
I would secure the education of my children, and assist their future aspirations.
Favourite musician
I really admire George Michael for his creativity with his lyrics.
Kristalé Ivezaj RamaCommunications DirectorKristalé Ivezaj Rama is the Communications Director at 4M Group, but to say that her role was variegated would be an epic understatement. Kristalé's roles range from content writer and editor, to public-relations and marketing manager. As well as this, she oversees the development of all website and social media content, and ensures that 4M's exceptional projects get the exposure they deserve, through liasing with journalists, and pitching our work to competitions.
A native of Michigan, Kristalé was born and raised in a suburb of Detroit, however, her versatile erudition is that of multi-continental attainment. After having graduated from Wayne State University with a BA (Hon.) in Journalism and International Studies, she worked as a breaking news correspondent for a prestigious American daily. Shortly after this, Kristalé headed to the Middle East, to work as both a ghost-writer and a co-ordinator of multimillion dollar diplomatic and business-related events, for the region’s royalty and top- decision makers. In 2010, her journey took her to London, where she obtained her MA in Diplomacy and International Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and was, somewhat unexpectedly, led here to us at 4M Group.
She is an art-aholic, a polyglot, and a natural born story- teller – eager to describe everything from kitchen cabinets to city master-planning in the most captivating of ways, as a part of her daily mission to make the world a better, and more interesting place through words and actions.
Kristalé is an active participant for many organisational and individual charities; and is uninhibited and extravagant when expressing the things she loves, and the influences that inspire her.
Favourite quote
"Fortune favours the brave."- Virgil
Dream project
I have currently resuscitated a long-time dream – the organisation of a community-building project that promotes creative dialogue between artists in the Balkans, and helps them gain greater success by showcasing their work online and at a gallery space.
People I admire
Comedians: anyone that can make others burst out into laughter are the coolest, most delightful kind of people!
Heroes
They are the survivors and individuals of integrity, who show incredible strength and courage by fighting relentlessly for a better life, despite all adversity and challenges that they face.
Causes that are close to my heart
A lifelong dedication to actively involve myself in, and support organisations and causes that focus on helping people to lead happier and more fulfilling lives, including individual fundraisers for victims of cancer, strokes, addiction recovery, child abuse and child poverty prevention.
Giorgos Kalogirou(MA Arch) Architect EngineerGiorgos Kalogirou is 4M Group’s conscientious Architect Engineer (ARB, RIBA, TEE) and gentle philosopher. Throughout his career, both in his native Greece, and internationally, he has designed a diverse range of buildings from eco-houses and elegant castle interiors, to sleek bars and clubs. Giorgos lets detail guide everything he does, which he infuses with humanity and kindness. He says he enjoys working at 4M for our buzzing atmosphere and exciting projects.
Giorgos grew up working alongside his father, a skilled builder. This has instilled a long love for being on site and his great and deep respect for builders. At the age of three, young Giorgos made the dramatic discovery that people die. After seeing the Parthenon for the first time, he quickly understood that architecture outlives people. From that moment onwards, he has embarked on his own quest for immortality through architecture.
Giorgos has taken his inspiration from not only the great architects of the Parthenon, Iktinos and Callicrates, but also from the more modern Carlo Scarpa and Frank Lloyd Wright whose designs influenced his studies in architecture and his desire to leave his own timeless stamp on the world.
Giorgos obtained an Honors Masters Degree in Architectural Engineering from Athens National Technical University. In 2005, his project ‘Vertical Axis,’ detailed the synthesis of components that make up a structure. The highly commended lecture attempted to explain how the analogy of shape, symmetry, balance and optical weight is affected by human perception and how we can use of this knowledge in an architectural environment.
‘‘The New Museum of Kerameikos’’ was another crowning moment for Giorgos, designed for the unique ancient funerary monuments from the Ancient Cemetery of Athens. It ‘demanded’ a dialogue between the living and the dead and evolved as a result of research, creating a space sympathetic to the monuments original placement and purpose in the ancient cemetery.
Giorgos is fluent in Greek, English and conversant in German. He is a proud father of two and devoted husband to Ramona.
A perfect day:
With my family and having a picnic. Boating together in the lake at Narrow Water Castle. Dancing with my children while listening and singing along to Katerina Stanisi, watching my daughter throw her head back in delight as her hair floats with the movement of the dance.
Which compliment/award/honour is nearest and dearest to you?
Apart from feeling honoured to be working as part of 4M GROUP, when I was at university, my work, in various fields, was chosen to be used as examples of good practice and to be used as teaching aids for other students. I was then, and still am, very honoured by this.
Favorite quote?
Plato, 342BC: "τὸ λακωνίζειν ἐστιν φιλοσοφεῖν" which means, 'to be brief and accurate is philosophy'.
Random fact:
I used to be the fastest runner in the province of Epirus.... Long time ago!
