Sauska Tokaj Winery, Mád

Architect: Péter Bordás 
Text: Rita Tuczai
Photos: Hufton+Crow

The futuristic building of the Sauska Tokaj Winery is an interlocking, 36-meter-diameter, reinforced concrete structure reminiscent of flat bowls, which stands with natural elegance and lightness in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region, world-famous for its viticulture. The building’s clearly defined, characterful elements visible above ground house the reception, restaurant, and wine tasting areas. The office and technology spaces are hidden in the belly of the mountain. The road leading to the building starts among the terraces of the vineyards and leads to the entrance bay with its huge glass surface. The embracing arms of the glass wall run up the slopes, and the space draws you into an elegant, spacious, light-filled reception area beneath the surface of the mountain ridge. The harmonious forms and visuals of the interior, and the tangible excitement of the quality of the natural materials, invite visitors to contemplate. We are underground, but we feel the pervasive presence of the outside landscape at every moment. The spacious, circular terraces reveal a panoramic view of the enchanting landscape – the moment created in the space becomes a cathartic experience.

Client: Sauska and Co.
General planning: BORD Architect Studio
Lead architect: Péter Bordás
Co-ordinating architect: Csilla Kracker
Architects: Róbert György Benke, Fruzsina Damásdi, Róbert Gulyás, Ágota Melinda Keresztesi-Angi, András Kéki, Balázs Móser, Györgyi Püspöki, Tamás Tolvaj, Kata Zih
Interiors:  Tihany Design, Alessia Genova and Adam D. Tihany
HVAC: BORD Épületgépész Stúdió, Zoltán Hollókövi
Structure: Hydrastat Engineering, Zsigmond Dezső
Garden, landscape: Gardenworks, András Kuhn
Entrance garden: Barry B. Britton