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Branimir Rajčić
Episode · #666

ZGRADONAČELNIK Branimir Rajčić

Guest Branimir RajčićHosted by Tin BašićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

When we look for a new apartment, our eyes often go straight to the finishes: are the tiles Italian? Is the parquet oak? But for Professor Branimir Rajčić, who teaches architectural design for residential buildings at the Faculty of Architecture in Zagreb, those details distract from what truly makes a home. He argues that fundamental design principles — like the separation of sleeping and living zones, or how guests access a common area without passing through private spaces — are often neglected in modern construction, even as housing costs soar. Professor Rajčić joins the podcast to discuss rational building design, modular construction, and the spiralling costs of both government-subsidized and general housing. He offers a perspective that asks us to reconsider not just how we build, but how we live, especially as the gap between average wages and housing prices continues to widen. You will walk away thinking about the true value of a well-designed home, beyond its superficial appeal.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Professor Bajlon's twelve points for a well-designed apartment outline fundamental principles like separate areas for children and parents, a living room, and guest access that bypasses private zones. These principles of use-value, Professor Rajčić notes, are often ignored in modern Croatian construction, where buyers are distracted by "Italian tiles and oak parquet" instead of the home's functional layout.
02
Professor Rajčić's most direct answer to reducing construction costs is to "try to live according to needs and possibilities." In a consumer society that constantly offers "something better, something that costs more," this simplest solution to rising housing costs is also the most challenging: it demands a shift from aspirational consumption to practical needs.
03
The average Croatian family has 2.7 members, a demographic reality that suggests most could be comfortably housed in 50 to 70 square meters. Yet, the market often pushes for larger, more expensive units, creating a disconnect between actual family needs and the available or expected housing options.
04
Around 90% of all apartments in Croatia are privately owned, with only about 4.5% of households living in rented accommodations. Despite the perception of an affordability crisis, this widespread homeownership indicates that the challenge is less about general access to housing and more about the escalating cost for *new* buyers or those seeking specific types of properties.
05
Since 2017, the median price per square meter in Croatia has been growing twice as fast as the average wage. This specific inflection point marks a rapid acceleration of the affordability gap, demonstrating that the challenge isn't merely high prices, but a systemic imbalance where income growth cannot keep pace with housing costs.
06
Students at the Faculty of Architecture are taught not only how to design but also "how to navigate the stress that comes with the job." Architectural education implicitly acknowledges that the real-world practice of design extends beyond technical skills to include managing constant deadlines and high-pressure environments, preparing students for the emotional demands of their future careers.
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