Marko Matejić, co-founder of MAIN Architects - An architect in Serbia must be brave and durable

In order to be an architect in Serbia, you have to be brave and much tougher and more durable than in some other environments that are milder and more hospitable towards architects and architecture - says the co-founder and director of MAIN Architects Marko Matejić.

In a conversation with eKapija, Matejić points out that the regional architectural scene has been dynamic in recent years, but also that outsourcing is the future of all industries.

He also reveals what the advantages and disadvantages of that interior design model are, what all clients, regardless of where they come from, have in common, but also how they react to the studio`s rule that there is no haggling over the price of services. Speaking about interior trends, he emphasizes the functionality of the space as the greatest quality that a space can have, especially residential.

eKapija: How would you rate the interior design market in our country? Does it keep up with the construction boom we`ve been witnessing in recent years?

- Architecture and interior architecture are two parts of the same story. The interior market in Serbia was developing equally intensively, as were the design and construction of square footage. The interior market is colorful and offers a lot of different opportunities, but at the same time it is becoming increasingly demanding in terms of design, but also in terms of applied materials, furniture and other elements of the interior, and the quality of the work.

eKapija: You work on projects of different sizes (from 50 m2 to 50,000 m2) and purpose (housing, business, catering, culture, industry). What are the dominant trends in decorating - apartments, business complexes, hospitality facilities?

- I would not like to talk about passing trends. I would rather take the opportunity to emphasize the values ​​and qualities that we consider essential in creating the interior architecture of a space, but also in designing in general, and these are qualities that I consider to be universal and timeless.

Above all, the functionality of the space. Although very important for all types of space, it seems to me that its importance is particularly pronounced in housing. The complementarity of the functional organization of the apartment or house with your daily life is the greatest quality that your living space can have. I believe that it is a quality that makes your life more comfortable and everyday life better. The design, the selection of quality materials and pieces of furniture, which should also match the sensibility of the users of the space, ultimately give a sense of completeness to your living space.

When creating business premises, the functional organization of the premises should arise from the daily dynamics of the business of the users of the premises. The organization and visual identity of your business space should clearly communicate the core values, philosophy and culture of your company, your brand. Modern office spaces are functional, comfortable, healthy, humane, pleasant and make you spend your working hours more relaxed and happy, and therefore more efficient and productive.

eKapija: Given that you are also engaged abroad, are there any differences in the demands of clients in relation to Serbia? Is there something common for all clients, regardless of where they come from?

- Clients, regardless of where they come from, always appreciate the same qualities – professionalism, reliability, dedication, honesty. Every client wants to get the maximum for the invested money in terms of expertise, project quality and design, but also in terms of understanding, communication and professional, but also human relationship.

However, not all clients have the same relationship to the architect or architecture. Not all clients share the same understanding of the importance and position of architecture and the architect, as creator and professional. In this sense, although they appreciate the same qualities, not everyone has the same understanding of the entire process of creating an object or interior, and not everyone understands the position, role, and sometimes even the purpose of the architect in that process, so not everyone is equally prepared, to pay the same price for those qualities they expect.

From the very beginning, we have clearly defined our position that we do not want to enter into any discussions on this issue and haggling over the price of our service. We believe that the price of architectural and design services should be such that it can ensure the continuous development of an architectural office, which does not only mean salaries from month to month, but also implies a comfortable type of business in which there are financial resources and time for development, education and improvement of services, which is ultimately in the interest of the clients, because in the end the invested money is returned to the client, because on the other hand he gets a reliable partner and a better service.

Otherwise, all those expectations from clients that I mentioned at the beginning are not justified. There needs to be a balance between your expectations and the price you are willing to pay.

eKapija: Can you compare the architectural scene in the region? Are the challenges architects face similar?

- I cannot say that I am thoroughly familiar with the architectural scene in the neighboring states of the region, so I would not be able to comment individually. However, the impression is that the regional architectural scene has been quite dynamic in recent years, with many young architectural practices and professionals. In the past seven years, as MAIN architects, we have been present on the Serbian architectural scene, a lot of dynamic changes have taken place and architecture is becoming a topic that is being talked about and thought about more and more and the importance of which is being recognized more and more, and therefore in which more and more investments are being made. . Young architectural firms have also contributed a lot to this situation, and with their energy and creativity, they add value and diversity to the architectural scene in Serbia.

I don`t know the circumstances in which my colleagues in the region create, but to be an architect in Serbia, you have to be brave and you have to be much tougher and more durable than in some other environments that are more lenient and hospitable towards architects and architecture. The energy that an architect in Serbia needs to invest in the realization of an idea, from the concept, through the project, and at the end of the realization, and that in the end the materialization of the idea is exactly the way you imagined it, is absurdly large, and often requires sacrifice in terms of time, resources and life energy that architects invest to their own detriment, despite everything else.

Unfortunately, if you want the project to be flawless from idea to realization, you have to be prepared to suffer and not earn anything from that project. I must say, again, that we do not support this kind of personal and business sacrifice, unless it is financially respected by the client.

eKapija: Part of your team is working on outsourced projects in the USA. Is outsourcing the future of this industry as well? What are the pros and cons of that model in interior design?

- I think that outsourcing is the future of all industries and we should probably replace that term with the term networking. Business is becoming increasingly dynamic and flexible, which is all in line with new models of living and the dynamics of modern young people.

I think the pros and cons are very similar, regardless of whether it`s a collaboration in the field of architecture or interior architecture.

For example, we have a highly developed work system and standards within our office, which guarantee us a certain level of project quality and professionalism of the entire process. Therefore, it is very important to us that we are the ones who dictate the entire process and keep it under control. This is often not the case with outsourcing or some other form of collaboration, and this is a drawback for us.

It can be said that the disadvantage of casual cooperation is the mismatch of work standards.

The advantage is that through each type of cooperation you have the opportunity to see different models of work and through that wide range of different practices to choose the part that you think can contribute to the improvement of your process, i.e. that you improve the quality of your work through the exchange of knowledge, but also that the entire profession improves the level of service.

For young companies in development, outsourcing is an opportunity to participate in larger projects that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in and to grow, improve professionally and develop their business through these experiences.

Outsourcing or networking is an opportunity to connect with professionals from the field through collaboration on projects and thus form a team of permanent associates with whom you develop long-term professional relationships over time.

Outsourcing for young companies can also be very practical, as it can provide them with financial stability as well as the knowledge to engage in their own author`s work.

eKapija: What role does artificial intelligence play in your profession? How much does it help you in your work, and do you fear that it may replace you in the near future?

- At MAIN, the application of artificial intelligence in work is currently in an experimental phase. This specifically means that occasionally, through current projects, we examine the possibilities of various AI tools in optimizing work and achieving additional qualities in the presentation of the final product.

We do not believe that artificial intelligence can replace architects, at least not in the near future, and it can certainly be useful in optimizing operations.

We believe that architecture includes a segment of the experience of life or living, and therefore we believe that artificial intelligence can hardly have that experience and therefore can hardly replace a living architect.

It would be necessary to abolish life in order to be replaced by artificial intelligence.

Marija Dedić

MAIN architects doo Beograd

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Marko Matejić

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