I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Branko’s passing on January 29. I will fondly remember the many years Branko and I were colleagues at the University of Calgary. He was a unique personality with an exceptional commitment to architectural education and innovation. He left a significant legacy everywhere he taught, lectured, and volunteered; his books also made an essential contribution to thinking about contemporary design and construction.

My thoughts are with Vera and Marko.

With deepest sympathy.

Graham Livesey

We were deeply saddened to learn of Branko’s passing. On behalf of the Canadian Architectural Certification Board, please accept our sincere condolences during this difficult time. Branko’s leadership and contributions to the world of architecture were greatly valued, and he will be remembered with respect and gratitude. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

The CACB team

Dear Vera and Marko,

Branko has been a positive force in the world. Through his work and our collective memory of him, this will continue. We are very sorry for your loss. 

Branko was my first full-time hire beginning my tenure as Dean at the University of Miami in the early '80s, and his first full-time academic appointment follow receipt of his Doctorate under the esteemed Bill Mitchell.  I was lucky!  He jump-started our fledgling computing initiatives and proved effective in his engagement with students and senior faculty members.  His appointment also allowed us the wonderful opportunity to enlist the extraordinarily talented Vera P. among our part-time teaching ranks at the School of Architecture. 

Critically important for me personally, as an informal advisor on many aspects of my administrative efforts/needs, Branko was deeply valued.  Insightful, perceptive, and always a straight-shooter - and often behind the scenes - I relied on Branko and was very sorry that the expiration of his Visa required his departure to another country.  

But I have followed his career over the intervening decades, and marveled at Branko's publications and leadership activities. His brief visits here at the University of New Mexico were always well-received and remembered. 

I offer my sincere condolences to Vera and their remarkable son.  We will certainly miss Branko and all that he has provided to our academic communities.  

Roger Schluntz, FAIA;  Dean Emeritus, University of New Mexico School of Architecture. 

Branko’s friendship and mentorship ignited a light that illuminated the path forward in both our personal and professional lives. His genuine smile, kindness in his eyes, and, above all, his unwavering and authentic presence inspired and uplifted every room he entered. Our moments with Branko, Vera, and Marko are treasured gifts — evenings filled with laughter, music, and exquisite food inspired by our homeland and cuisines from around the world. These were profound experiences shared with our families, creating emotions that lingered long after we said good night.

In moments of uncertainty, I would return to his stories and his gentle, inviting guidance into the brave world of wonder, magic, and freedom. Some of Branko’s most cherished words of wisdom remain with me: “Perfection is a beautiful gift,” and “Vulnerability is power,” echoing the message of The Power of Vulnerability so beautifully articulated by Brené Brown.

The sadness of his early departure from this earthly world is vast, yet the impact he made — and will continue to make — is infinite. 

Vera and Marko, we hold you close, wrapped in unconditional love, and offer you strength and comfort in these tender moments. 

With Love, Jadranka, Dejan, Mila and Stefan.

When we were selecting the keynote speaker for the conference, I was looking for someone with strong experience in computer-aided design. That is how I came across Jose Pinto, an excellent professor who agreed to come to Serbia and deliver a lecture. What was especially important to me was that he told me that we have an outstanding professor from Serbia and shared with me the story of Branko Kolarevic.

I was in complete disbelief that I had not heard of him before. I read his books, and I was genuinely ashamed of my lack of knowledge. I spoke about this to many people, as I was deeply impressed by what I had discovered. At that moment, I decided that I should not only invite Professor Kolarevic to be a keynote speaker at a future conference, but also dedicate myself to understanding his work in depth.

I was fortunate to visit New York last July, where I had the opportunity to meet Professor Kolarevic in person, even if only briefly. We exchanged ideas about architecture, family, and Serbia. It was a truly warm and memorable moment.  We agreed to meet again in Serbia and, of course, to see each other at the next conference in Niš.

The news of his passing was completely unexpected and deeply sad. 

I extend my most sincere condolences to his family.

I offer my deepest condolences. 

I first met Branko at UofToronto in the 90s, me as a student , Branko applying for a professorship.  Although he didn't get the position, this encounter turned into a decades-long friendship reinforced by funny reunions at far-flung conferences around the world. Branko was a humble leader and always thoughtful, insightful, and generous with his engagements.  He enjoyed a good laugh and a great story. ...I expect he has already delivered his first humorous keynote in the hereafter.  Safe travels Branko.

I first met Branko in the early nineties at Harvard, and our paths crossed many times afterward at events across our field. In the early 2000s, I sent my first PhD student to spend a semester with him at UPenn—an experience that marked the beginning of our true friendship. Branko was an easy person to be around: firm in his ideas, yet always open to discussion, curiosity, and exploration.

In 2017, we co‑organized a conference on mass customization. Working with him was a joy—so natural and inspiring that it never felt like work. Just last week, I sent him a message, challenging him once again. The response never came because, sadly, he was no longer with us.

Branko was one of the leading figures in our field—thought‑provoking, visionary, and profoundly human: warm, generous, and down to earth. I still remember the food and sightseeing recommendations he shared during my visit to Serbia last year.

We will miss you, Branko.