Project Name: Tokaj Sauska Winery

Location: Rátka, Hungary

Design Team: BORD Architectural Studio + Tihany Design

Total Floor Area: 5830 m²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Marc Goodwin, Hufton+Crow

Feature: BORD Architectural Studio has collaborated with Tihany Design to create an extraordinary contemporary winery in the UNESCO-protected wine region of Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary, founded on the idea of "floating architecture" and landscape integration revolutionary concept. This winery is embodied in the architectural design, forming fluid spatial relationships through two intersecting lens-shaped volumes to create harmonious winery environments, with strategically positioned large openings arranged around the natural vineyard landscape. The design language was derived from the fusion of modern industrial architecture and traditional winemaking craft, helping root the building in its historical cultural context.

The project's most striking design feature lies in its revolutionary Modern Industrial design language that perfectly embodies ideas of "untouched untouchable" and authenticity. The production spaces are seamlessly integrated with the surrounding vineyard landscape, which allows connection between inside and out, and between human habitation and natural environment. This elegantly honest design is topped off by steel textures and local limestone finishes, further unifying the spaces above and below and blending the building into its natural environment.

Central to the design philosophy is the seamless integration of wabi-sabi principles and contemporary winery functional comfort. Natural ventilation is provided through the large openings achieving climate-responsive design, while spatial flow is enhanced by the dissolution of traditional boundaries between interior and exterior realms. Extensive vineyard landscaping around the building enhances biodiversity, with the nearby hills' soundscape reducing urban noise by creating a natural acoustic buffer.

Material choices honor environmental responsibility and architectural excellence. Steel textures and honest materials develop character over time in living finishes, while careful integration with the natural context meant minimal site disruption with new landscaping providing enhanced environmental harmony. Natural lighting is maximized by extensive openings so that artificial lighting needs are minimized, with all materials being authentic and low-impact, therefore environmentally responsible.

Perhaps most ingeniously, the building design is both timeless and progressive--creating spaces that feel authentically lived-in rather than pristinely manufactured, so the winery represents a new paradigm in winery architecture. The project represents the transformative power of commercial architecture, redefining contemporary winery design through innovative spatial integration and environmental harmony.

Design Team - BORD Architectural Studio stands as a distinguished architectural and engineering design consultancy that has established an exceptional reputation in winery architectural design innovation. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Budapest, Hungary, under the visionary leadership of Founder and Principal Architect Péter Bordás and Coordinating Architect Csilla Kracker, supported by a diverse team of accomplished architects and designers including Design Team members Robert György Benke, Fruzsina Damásdi, Róbert Gulyás, Ágota Melinda Keresztesi-Angi, András Kéki, Balázs Móser, Györgyi Püspöki, Tamás Tolvaj, and Kata Zih.

Péter Bordás brings exceptional architectural experience and deep understanding of sustainable design principles to the practice. The firm's design philosophy emphasizes the transformative power of thoughtful, sustainable, and innovative design, drawing inspiration from the unique character of Hungarian cultural landscapes while embracing the challenges and opportunities of contemporary commercial architectural design. Their approach is centered on collaboration--working closely with clients to craft architecture that exceeds expectations, reflects cultural authenticity, and enriches the spaces it inhabits.

The firm's architectural language is founded on the values of creativity, harmony, and environmental integration, with BORD Architectural Studio integrating disciplines to deliver cohesive and experientially-focused solutions. By combining architectural vision with advanced project management capabilities and a dedication to indoor-outdoor spatial integration, they create designs that balance beauty, function, and environmental harmony. With a practice culture grounded in excellence and sustainability, their experienced team ensures every project is both a spatial journey and a lasting legacy--connecting people to places, and places to the natural environment.

Through thoughtful understanding of Hungarian cultural design values of harmony, sustainability, and cultural authenticity, BORD Architectural Studio has established itself as a significant contributor to contemporary European architecture, creating architectural works that are both rooted in place and embrace global architectural design standards. The practice has gained recognition for its commitment to design excellence, ensuring every project is completed to the highest standard of spatial and environmental integration.