Dejan Smolar
Episode · #332
ZGRADONAČELNIK Dean Smolar
Guest Dejan SmolarHosted by Tin BašićMay 3, 2026
Dejan Smolar
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Dean Smolar, Executive Director of the Croatian Green Building Council, argues that green construction isn't a niche or an exception, but 'the new normal.' His organization, part of a global movement and the largest in Croatia, works to redefine the 'built environment' — not just buildings, but any human intervention in nature, from roads to cities. The conversation explores how this shift moves beyond mere ecological concerns to embrace social well-being and economic viability, challenging the assumption that sustainability always comes at a premium. You'll hear why the true cost of a building often lies in its fragmented design process, and how a smart, integrated approach can make green construction more profitable from the very start.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The Croatian Green Building Council, founded 12 years ago as part of a global movement, now has 107 members, making it the largest in Croatia and the region. What often appears to be a niche trend is, in fact, a mature and globally integrated industry with significant local traction, indicating a fundamental shift rather than a passing fad.
02
Smolar defines green building not just as structures, but as any 'built environment' where humans have intervened, from roads to cities, if approached 'without negative impact on future generations and the environment.' The scope of 'green' extends far beyond individual buildings; it's a re-evaluation of every human-made intervention in nature, demanding a holistic view of urban and infrastructural development.
03
The framework for green building covers three key aspects: environmental (climate, nature), social (human health, well-being), and economic (cost). Sustainability isn't a singular ecological pursuit; it's a triple bottom line approach to design that equally prioritizes the planet, human welfare, and long-term financial viability.
04
If all key stakeholders — designers, investors, and experts — collaborate 'in a sufficiently early phase,' a green building can be 'even more profitable from the start.' The perception that green construction is inherently more expensive often stems from a fragmented design process; early, integrated planning is the real driver of cost-effectiveness, preventing expensive rework later.
05
The traditional process involves architects designing, then engineers finding issues, sending it back, causing delays, and increasing costs, with the investor paying for corrections. This sequential, siloed approach to construction is the hidden cost of conventional projects; a holistic design isn't just about sustainability, but about streamlining the entire process to save time and money.
06
Green buildings are 'almost always cheaper to maintain over a certain period' because they use cheaper energy sources and are more efficient, eventually offsetting higher initial costs. The true economic benefit of sustainable construction often lies in its operational phase, where reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs deliver a return on the initial investment.
07
You don't need 'the newest, most modern materials' fresh from research labs; 'classic materials can also be green and sustainable.' Achieving sustainability doesn't always require cutting-edge, expensive innovations; often, a smarter, more thoughtful application of readily available, conventional materials can achieve significant environmental and economic gains.