Architectural firm ZDA has completed the new flagship headquarters for pharmaceutical giant Richter Gedeon in Budapest, creating a cutting-edge workplace that seamlessly blends innovation, nature, and architectural precision. The 17,400-square-meter building serves as the central hub for global strategy and management for the company, which operates in over 50 countries and employs more than 12,000 people worldwide.
The state-of-the-art facility accommodates 400 permanent workstations, features a 120-seat auditorium, and includes extensive community spaces such as a 150-seat restaurant and generous green rooftop gardens. The entire design focuses on human-centered architecture while maintaining a future-facing approach to modern workplace design.
Strategically located along Gyömrői Road in Kőbánya, an area with historical ties to the company's origins, the headquarters represents a key component of ZDA's long-term master plan that began over two decades ago. The site selection and architectural concept intentionally create a bridge between the company's rich past and its ambitious future plans, combining deeply rooted local identity with globally competitive design thinking.
The building's sculptural facade showcases a unique balance between the rigorous demands of pharmaceutical research and development and the creative freedom necessary for innovation. Every element, from the intricate curtain wall system to the sophisticated sun-shading lamellae, communicates a design language characterized by precision, flow, and repetition that mirrors the scientific processes housed within the building.
ZDA extended the concept of flow throughout the interior spaces, creating a generous central atrium that serves as the heart of the headquarters. This naturally lit and spatially dynamic space features striking staircase structures that function as more than mere circulation routes, becoming important points of encounter that foster informal communication while connecting different levels with architectural grace.
The interior design emphasizes a carefully curated material palette featuring natural finishes including wood, glass, and refined plaster surfaces, contributing to a calming yet sophisticated work environment. Colors and textures were thoughtfully selected to support both focused individual work and collaborative team activities. Throughout the design process, ZDA conducted extensive employee interviews and workshops to ensure the design addressed real workplace needs and workflows.
Ergonomic considerations and acoustic comfort received priority attention in all workspace areas, ensuring the office environment is not only aesthetically pleasing but also quiet, comfortable, and highly productive for daily operations. The firm approached the entire project with a strong commitment to sustainable architecture, successfully achieving compliance with LEED Gold certification standards.
The building incorporates 183 geothermal probes that provide eco-efficient heating and cooling through ground-source energy systems, dramatically reducing the building's overall energy demand. The comprehensive environmental strategy includes 2,500 square meters of green rooftops, 2,600 indoor plants, 52 newly planted trees, and over 20,000 shrubs and perennials throughout the landscape design.
Additional sustainable features include 400 square meters of reflective water surfaces and 600 custom-designed sun-shading elements integrated into the glass facade system. These carefully planned features work together to improve the local microclimate, support biodiversity in the urban environment, and effectively harvest rainwater, creating a holistic environmental strategy that seamlessly integrates the building with both landscape and city fabric.
What distinguishes this headquarters from other corporate buildings is not only its impressive scale and comprehensive program, but also the exceptional level of detail and bespoke craftsmanship visible throughout every aspect of the design. From custom-designed furniture pieces to hand-finished interior surfaces, every element reflects a shared vision between architect and client, demonstrating a collaboration built on mutual trust, continuity, and ambitious goals.
For ZDA, whose architectural portfolio has increasingly specialized in cultural buildings and high-performance public structures, the Richter Gedeon headquarters represents another significant step in defining contemporary Hungarian architecture with global relevance and impact. The project stands as a testament to the firm's ability to create sophisticated workplace environments that honor heritage while embracing cutting-edge design principles.
