Press

At ASAP INTRO #29 in Valjevo, held at the premises of the Serbian Chamber of Engineers and organized in partnership with the Valjevo Architects Association, MAIN architects’ co-founder Marko Matejić held his fifth lecture on the topic “Price Does (not) Matter”, together with architect Branko Ristić.

Marko presented practical insights into strategic resource and financial planning, sharing MAIN architects’ experience with the local architectural community.

By fostering open dialogue and exchanging real-world knowledge, ASAP and MAIN architects continue to support the development of architectural entrepreneurship and strengthen the professional architectural community in Serbia.

Following his lecture in Novi Pazar on the topic Price Does (Not) Matter, Marko Matejić appeared as a guest in the second episode of the XYZ Podcast, alongside architect Irfan Halilagić, to discuss the theme Architecture – Hobby or Business?

In conversation with the podcast hosts – young architects from Novi Pazar – Marko shared his personal experience and the challenges he has faced while running an architectural studio over many years.

The podcast explores the moment when an architect stops being only a designer and becomes an entrepreneur, the point at which architecture is no longer approached solely as a creative discipline, but as a profession that requires responsibility, clear structure, standards, and careful planning of both resources and finances.

The discussion offers insight into the challenges, motivation, and realities of this transformation, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between creativity and professionalism, enthusiasm and market realities.

Full conversation is available at the link.

At ASAP INTRO #25 in Novi Pazar, held in the fully packed hall of the Cultural Center, MAIN architects’ co-founder Marko Matejić delivered his fourth lecture on the topic “Price Does (not) Matter”, together with architect Irfan Halilagić.

The lecture brought together a vibrant group of architects from the local community, creating an inspiring atmosphere for an open exchange of ideas. Marko presented MAIN architects’ real-world experience in resource planning, financial strategies, and studio management, offering practical tools for architects seeking to build sustainable and resilient practices.

The audience played a key role in shaping the conversation — their thoughtful questions and willingness to challenge traditional assumptions turned the event into a dynamic dialogue about the future of architectural entrepreneurship.

By fostering discussions that were rarely heard in the professional circles, ASAP and MAIN architects continue to encourage transparency, professional empowerment, and the growth of a confident, business-savvy architectural community across Serbia.

Marko Matejić visited Kragujevac as a speaker at ASAP INTRO #24, held at the Komjuniti 22 coworking space, where he joined architect Bojan Pavlović to discuss the topic “Price Does (not) Matter” for the third time. This edition of the lecture opened with one of the most provocative questions in architectural practice today: “How many working hours actually fit into one square meter?”

Using this question as a starting point and the broader dilemma of whether architectural fees should follow square meters or actual resources and time, Marko shared MAIN ARCHITECTS’ experience in resource planning, time management, and financial modeling with colleagues from the ASAP community and the local architectural scene. Together, we explored why it is crucial to understand the actual resources that are truly required to design one square meter and communicate it with clients.

The discussion sparked an honest and much-needed conversation about the business side of architecture: how architects can plan their practice strategically, build sustainable studios, and ensure that their creative work provides both professional fulfillment and financial stability.

By opening topics that were once considered “off limits,” ASAP and MAIN architects continue to encourage a culture of transparency, knowledge-sharing, and stronger architectural entrepreneurship across Serbia.

MAIN architects held a guest lecture in Zagreb at Urania-Space of creation which hosted the event “Sustainable hour: Sustainability of Industrial Buildings”. The focus was on designing industrial spaces to meet new ecological standards and sustainability goals. It was an honor for us to share our experience in designing industrial buildings by presenting our project for the new Feniksbus factory, which will produce electrical mini and midi buses in Novi Sad, Serbia. We emphasized the presence of sustainability as an integral and intuitive element in the contemporary and pragmatic approach to designing and constructing buildings. This perspective extends beyond a purely environmental focus, incorporating a comprehensive approach to sustainability and optimization. It includes the functionality and cost-effectiveness of the building (economic aspect), the social aspect seen as fostering functional harmony among diverse user groups, and the resilience, flexibility, and adaptability of the building to societal changes and external factors that could impact processes and workflows.

In an interview for the web portal eKapija, MAIN architects’ co-founder and director Marko Matejić emphasizes that at MAIN architects, we believe true architectural quality transcends current trends. Their goal is to create spaces that remain relevant and inspiring for decades – not only at the moment they are built. He highlights the demanding nature of the architectural profession in Serbia, noting that a true architect must be both courageous and persistent, as realizing a vision with long-term value often requires a sacrifice of time, resources and personal energy. Equally important, he points out, is the role of the investor – when mutual respect, trust, and an understanding of architecture’s significance exist, the result is a work of art that brings lasting aesthetic and functional value to both users and the community. For MAIN architects, architecture is a collaborative act of creation – one that shapes living and working spaces, so they become an integral part of the users’ identity. Please read the whole article on the eKapija portal.

In Novi Sad, at the Prostor Cultural Center in Petrovaradin, Marko Matejić joined architect Andraš Lukač for the second edition of his lecture on the topic “Price Does (not) Matter”as part of ASAP INTRO #16.

During the session, Marko shared the MAIN ARCHITECTS’ experience in resource planning, financial management, and project workflow, engaging colleagues from both the ASAP community and the local architectural scene.

The discussion emphasized that sharing experiences, standardizing services and workflows, and speaking a unified professional languageare key to articulating the interests of the architectural profession. Open and structured dialogue helps reduce misunderstandings, strengthen collaboration, and create conditions for effective public advocacy for architects.

Events like this reflect ASAP and MAIN ARCHITECTS’ commitment to fostering transparency, professional cohesion, and the sustainable growth of architectural practice in Serbia.

At the 4th Regular Assembly of the Association of Serbian Architectural Practices (ASAP) – the association’s first electoral assembly – MAIN architects were elected as a member of the ASAP Board for the 2024–2026 term.

Our representative on the Board for the next two years will be Marko Matejić, director and co-founder of MAIN architects. This appointment reflects our continued commitment to contributing to the development of the architectural profession and supporting collaboration within the architectural community.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our colleagues within the Association who, over the past two years, have recognized our dedication and active contribution to the work of ASAP.

Marko Matejić, founder and Co-CEO of the MAIN architects, shared his experience with the Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest from 2009. His team won the national competition and, as Serbia’s representative, went on to participate in the international stage, receiving a special jury award for their project presentation. Reflecting on the experience, Marko emphasized that everyone who takes part “leaves the competition wiser and richer” – not only in professional knowledge, but also through the development of communication and presentation skills, as well as personal connections, all of which are equally important for a successful architectural practice. He highlighted the importance of balancing architectural expertise with the ability to present that knowledge sincerely and clearly to clients, something that builds trust and credibility between the architect and the investor. Marko also underlined that the key to a successful presentation is honesty. “The best presentation skill is honesty, knowledge and belief in what you do.” Finally, he encouraged young architects to remain curious, humble, courageous, and committed to lifelong learning, as that is the true path to success in the professional world. Read the full interview
here.

In an interview for the m-Kvadrat magazine, Marko Matejić and Nikola Ivković describe how their paths into architecture began from a working-class background, without an architectural pedigree, and how years of professional experience have shaped their understanding that architecture is not a hobby but a business. When asked about their role models, they admit that as young architects, they sought inspiration in the great names and monumental works of architecture. However, with experience, their perspective has become more grounded. They now appreciate every piece of quality architecture that brings real value to everyday life. They respect every space that enriches daily living, not just the icons that grace magazine covers. For them, architecture is a serious business, equally rooted in professionalism, honesty, trust, and the value created for clients, users, and the community. Read the full interview here.