As part of the ASAP PRO #13 Meet-up, Zabriskie partner Vladimir Đorić moderated a conversation with architect Damir Mance (University of Zagreb, Croatian Chamber of Architects, Arhitektura Minimal) on one of the most pressing topics in contemporary architectural practice: the standardization of architectural services and the need to redefine professional frameworks in the context of modern construction and the real estate market.
Hosted at Nova Iskra and streamed online, the event drew a large audience from across the region. The discussion explored differences and parallels between Serbia and Croatia in terms of regulation, market conditions, and institutional support — with a clear conclusion: without well-defined standards and mutual understanding within the profession, architects lose control over the very processes that shape space.
“We cannot return to the role of the Master Builder — but we can empower the architectural profession through clear standards, collective knowledge, and professional solidarity.”
– from the conversation between Damir Mance & Vladimir Đorić
Why Standards Matter in the Real Estate Sector?
Today, architectural design is no longer a linear process. Architects no longer oversee all phases alone — instead, they collaborate with a wide range of specialized professionals: investors, engineers, legal consultants, sustainability experts, and IT specialists. In this context, the architect becomes a coordinator of value, not just form.
Without clearly defined services, responsibilities, and professional standards, the value of architectural expertise becomes diluted within the complexity of the process. That’s why conversations like this are critical for the real estate sector — they lay the foundation for a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable practice, in the interest of both the profession and investors.
See the complete lecture video
Regional Inspiration
Our colleagues from the Croatian Chamber of Architects have been working for years on redefining professional standards. Their approach — rooted in collective knowledge and institutional support — serves as a strong example for elevating practice in Serbia as well, particularly in the fields of real estate development, investment planning, and project efficiency.
For us at Zabriskie, this conversation is another step toward affirming a responsible, collaborative, and well-structured architectural practice — one that creates spaces of lasting value, for both users and those who invest in them.
Photo: ASAP