Although I had the “misfortune” of having him as a mentor for only one workshop, that business-building design studio left such a deep imprint on me that, in a way, it helped shape who I became. His mentorship—brief as it was—encouraged me, inspired me, and gave me a strong creative confidence I had not possessed to that extent before.

I remember it as if it were yesterday: he took our entire group of students to the sculpture department of the Academy of Fine Arts, where we met sculpture students. Each architecture student chose a collaborator. He very quickly recognized my affinity for nature and organic architecture and pointed me toward the right literature. Architecture of Nature by Zvonko Pađan remains my favorite book to this day.

During the concept phase, the professor forbade the use of computers. It unsettled the students—we were afraid we wouldn’t be good enough at drawing. But he quickly dispelled that anxiety by explaining that everyone’s graphic interpretation is part of presenting their own authorial solution. The result was inspired presentations, new friendships, and a wonderful working atmosphere. I don’t recall a single student feeling stressed when submitting or presenting their work.

Each of us finished that workshop with valuable knowledge and experience, a good grade, a fresh sense of momentum, and an exceptionally strong desire to continue working with Professor Morsan—through a model of mentorship I had previously thought nearly impossible within architecture school.

So much drive and active inspiration in one person. At the time, I couldn’t understand how someone with so much knowledge, experience, and quality could also remain so grounded and so genuinely kind.

After graduating, I would often call him or send an email, and he would call me back. We would talk for a long time about books and the work of renowned architects, often reflecting on their relationship to human evolution and to nature.

When I was writing posts for my web blog, he said my research process looked to him like gathering material for a book—and he encouraged me to start moving in that direction.

He called me three months ago because my conversation with Nikola Bašić had prompted him to think about sacred architecture, which is significantly undervalued in Croatia. With great enthusiasm and trust in me, he suggested I create an episodic TV-format series on the topic in a TV production setting.

That was our dear Boris Morsan: professor, expert, mentor, friend—a refuge where every insecurity disappears. He saw something special in everyone. Even when I doubted myself, with every sentence he awakened my sleeping strength.

I always admired his ability to make his interlocutor a better person with such ease.
I am deeply shaken by his passing, yet I know what a mark he left on everyone who had the honor of knowing him. I am certain it is a tremendous legacy.

Thank you, dear Professor, for everything. I will never forget you.