Seeking answers to pressing questions – How can affordable housing be built?

In Hungary, property prices have risen nearly fourfold over the past decade, and rents account for a disproportionately large share of wages even by EU standards, according to a press release from Kortárs Építészeti Központ (KÉK).

At the opening event of the 11th season of KÉK's popular series, Trust Your Architect!, the focus is on action rather than mere analysis of the situation: what can market players – contractors, designers and clients – do to make housing more affordable?

Comparing arguments and solutions

Complex processes are at work behind the statistics on the housing crisis.

The aim of the event on 15 January is not only to identify cost-increasing factors, but also to seek possible solutions.

The discussion seeks to identify the points between the drawing board and the handover where prices can be reduced through technological change, rationalisation or rethinking customer requirements.

The evening event entitled „Trust Your Architect! – How to build affordable housing?” aims to bring together the most influential players in the market. It is a rare opportunity for builders, designers, clients and experts researching social aspects to openly exchange their arguments and proposed solutions.

Roundtable participants:

• Sándor Scheer (Market Építő Zrt., founder and chief executive officer)
• András Wolf (Market Építő Zrt., Deputy Chief Technical Officer)
• Gergő Fernezelyi (FBIS, lead designer)
• Csaba Jelinek (Periféria Centre, co-founder)
• Moderator: Samu Szemerey (KÉK, professional manager)

The price of affordability

The discussion focuses on technology, compromises and the regulatory environment:

• What customer demands must be sacrificed for affordability?
• Can the industrialised construction trends of earlier eras return in a modern guise?
• Another unavoidable question is the role of the state: how do current regulations affect prices, and where is intervention or relief needed to balance the market?

This season, TYA! will focus on buildings and spaces that are usually at the centre of public interest. The event will seek answers to the question of how architecture can respond effectively to the expectations and dilemmas expressed by the public, using good examples from both Hungary and abroad.

They begin their conversations with a single question: „How can we build a good...?” – hospital, school, affordable housing or transport hub.

The aim is to bring together all parties involved in the construction process – clients, designers, contractors, regulators and operators – to sit down at the same table and examine the challenges from multiple angles.

Date: 15 January 2026 (Thursday), 7 p.m.