Budapest-based architectural practice BORD Architectural Studio has built a winery made of a pair of hovering volumes perched atop the southern slopes of Padi Hill in Rátka, Hungary.

Named Sauska Tokaj Winery, the 5,830-square-metre winery is situated in Hungary's Tokaj-Hegyalja wine area, which is protected by UNESCO, the Sauska Tokaj winery mixes in perfectly with its surroundings. 

Its graceful, floating shape seems to float above the vineyards, adding to the scenery and creating a powerful visual impact. The winery contributes significantly to the region's tourist and winemaking renown in addition to its architectural attractiveness.

Tokaj – A historic wine region

Prior to the Hungarian Conquest, Tokaj's volcanic landscape and continental climate provided perfect conditions for viticulture for millennia. 

Winemaking was done in cellars set deep into the volcanic rhyolite tuff, and villages were built in the valleys. The region's most well-known product for many years was the fabled aszú, a sweet wine aged in oak that came to represent Tokaj.

During the socialist era, creativity and craftsmanship were subordinated to mass manufacturing. But the region started a new chapter after the political shift. 

Even though infrastructure development is still catching up, Tokaj has been revitalized since the early 2000s by contemporary vineyards and a burgeoning tourism industry.

Architectural vision

The aim of the project is to create awareness of the Tokaj wines' outstanding diversity, complexity, and lively energy around the world. Creating a contemporary, visually appealing winery that specializes in fresh, dry white wines and sparkling wines was the design challenge. 

In order to become a true tourist destination, the building also required to support hospitality and food. The setting—a high point among the most important communities in the wine region—was both motivating and difficult.

"…What I create should not touch the untouchable - it should float or sit, like a sphere on an unidentifiably tiny surface. The goal is to create a seemingly implausible structure, one that is there, yet physically independent of its surrounding environment," said architect Péter Bordás.

The "untouched-untouchable," or the panorama of rolling vineyards, served as the inspiration for the architectural design. Making the building seem like a soft shape floating over the surroundings was the goal. 

As a comical presentation, a beanbag model was created that brought the environment to life by showing the building mass as though the hill had eyes.

A floating landmark 

The vineyard is situated on the southern slopes of Padi Hill and is characterized by two lens-shaped volumes that cross at a width of 36 meters. While the functional areas that need stable temperatures, such fermentation and storage, are underground, these conspicuous, raised structures are open to visitors. 

Stainless steel tanks are positioned concentrically around a core wooden barrel maturing area in the striking, circular fermentation rooms on the cellar level. The restaurant and bar are housed in the floating lens constructions above, which are held up by thin steel columns. 

The way sunlight moves across the underside of the hovering figures adds to the appearance of levitation.

Arrival experience

Because the entry is subtly incorporated into the undulating landscape, the impression of the sculptured building is uninterrupted. From the parking lot, a broad trail leads to stunning views of the area's highly valued vineyards. A private transition area that opens into the foyer greets arriving guests. 

The panoramic terrace and the main visiting areas can be reached from here via a brightly illuminated corridor. The eye is drawn outward by the restaurant's and bar's high, curved ceilings, which narrow toward the vista. The grandeur of the surroundings opens out before guests as they enter the terrace, producing a strong sensory experience.

The winemaking customs of the area serve as inspiration for the guest areas' decor, which were created by Tihany Design. 

Steel accents, local limestone cladding, and natural wood surfaces combine to create a sophisticated yet hospitable ambiance. The vineyard's ageless, organic, and refined qualities are reflected in the material palette.

Technological background

The fermenting spaces are connected to the rectangular-shaped press, bottling, and labeling areas of the winery. A tunnel that runs along the building's longitudinal axis transports the completed wines after the grapes arrive. 

Important mechanical equipment is also kept in this tunnel. The lively, warm-toned visiting areas hovering above the cellar's chilly, metallic appearance stand out sharply.

The Sauska Tokaj winery is a landmark building that honors the area's rich history in addition to being a site for winemaking. while welcoming modernism. It is a tribute to the changing character of Tokaj and its internationally recognized wines by combining modern design with heritage.

Site plan

Basement floor plan

Ground floor plan

Section

BORD Architectural Studio completed a cider production facility composed of rhombus-shaped tunnel-like volumes in Etyek, Öreghegy, Hungary. 

In addition, the firm won the first prize of the open architectural design competition of the Hajdúnánás MotoGP Circuit and Multifunctional Motorsport Complex in Hungary. 

In 2006, BORD Architectural Studio was established with the aim of creating enduringly inspiring spaces. The studio has offices in Debrecen and Zurich in addition to its headquarters in Budapest.

Project facts

Project name: Sauska Tokaj

Location: 3908, Rátka, Padi-hegy 

Gross Floor Area: 5,830m2
Years of design: 2014-2022
Year of completion: 2024
Client: Sauska and Partner

General Design: BORD Architectural Studio
Head Architect: Péter Bordás
Coordinating Architect: Csilla Kracker
Architect Team: Robert György Benke, Fruzsina Damásdi, Róbert Gulyás, Ágota Melinda Keresztesi-Angi, András Kéki, Balázs Móser, Györgyi Püspöki, Tamás Tolvaj, Kata Zih

Interior Design: Tihany Design, Alessia Genova, Principal and Adam D. Tihany, Founder
Mechanical Engineering: BORD HVAC Engineering, Zoltán Hollókövi
Structural Design: Hydrastat Engineering, Zsigmond Dezső

Landscape design: Gardenworks, András Kuhn
Expert, contractor: Barry B. Britton

Video: SoulCase Studio

All images © Hufton + Crow.

All drawings © BORD Architectural Studio.

> via BORD Architectural Studio

BORD Architectural Studio built project winery