Društvo arhitekata Zagreba

Zagreb Croatian Architects' Society (DAZ – Društvo arhitekata Zagreb) is a professional association that aims at developing and promoting Croatian architecture and urban planning, spatial culture and environmental protection.

The Croatian Architects' Society is the historical successor of the Club of Engineers and Architects of Zagreb, founded in 1878, in Ilica 6, Zagreb. It has functioned as a professional association under its present name since 1956. In 1960, DAZ was the Zagreb association of architects functioning within the Croatian Architects' Union (Savez arhitekata Hrvatske – SAH), and in 1993, it became a member of the Croatian Architects' Association (Udruženje hrvatskih arhitekata – UHA). Today, in 2010, we have 1000 active members.

DAZ plays an important role in the events related to architecture in Zagreb, initiates and addresses different issues concerning space. DAZ is, therefore, also a stage for different, often confronted perspectives and the “corrective agent” for inappropriate tendencies in the space.

The main tasks of DAZ are organizing competitions and implementation of projects in the field of architecture and urban planning, participating in preparations for proposals of laws and regulations affecting future architectural creation and promotion of the protection of Zagreb and Croatian architecture and urban planning. Furthermore, DAZ organizes and develops professional and educational programs in the field of architecture and urban planning, publishes architectural publications in connection to the Society's activities, organizes conferences, lectures, exhibitions of its members and professional trips.

One important element of activities of DAZ is nurturing the ethics of architectural profession.

It is very clear why DAZ participates in the formation of Council. The knowledge in the field of sustainable development will have to be implemented in every architectural project and become an integral part of urban planning thinking in general. Having the central role in the field of architecture and urban planning, DAZ has the responsibility to promote the idea of sustainable building, which includes environmental protection, social responsibility and cost-effectiveness.