ZDA Designs Richter Gedeon’s Flagship Headquarters in Budapest
ZDA introduces Richter Gedeon’s new headquarters, a flagship workplace where innovation, nature, and architectural precision converge. The building stands at the intersection of heritage and high-performance design. With operations in over 50 countries and more than 12,000 employees worldwide, Richter Gedeon’s new headquarters in Budapest acts as the central hub for global strategy and management. The 17,400 sqm building accommodates 400 permanent workstations, a 120-seat auditorium, and community spaces including a 150-seat restaurant and generous green rooftop gardens, all brought together with a focus on human-centered design and future-facing architecture.
Located along Gyömrői Road in Kőbánya, an area historically tied to the company’s origins, the headquarters is part of a long-term master plan by ZDA, begun over two decades ago. The site selection and architectural concept intentionally bridge the company’s past with its ambitions for the future, combining a deeply rooted local identity with globally competitive design thinking. The building’s sculptural facade reflects a unique balance between the rigor of pharmaceutical R&D and the creative freedom of innovation. Each element, from the intricate curtain wall to the sun-shading lamellae, speaks a design language of precision, flow, and repetition, akin to the scientific processes the building houses.
all images courtesy of ZDA | Zoboki Design & Architecture
Interior Flow, Material Clarity, and Sustainable Performance
ZDA | Zoboki Design & Architecture Studio extends the concept of flow inside. A generous central atrium, naturally lit and spatially dynamic, forms the heart of the headquarters. Its striking staircase structures offer more than circulation; they become points of encounter, fostering informal communication, while connecting levels with architectural grace. The interior material palette emphasizes natural finishes, such as wood, glass, and refined plaster surfaces, to contribute to a calming yet sophisticated environment. Colors and textures were carefully selected to support both focused individual work and collaborative activities. Throughout the process, ZDA conducted employee interviews and workshops to tailor the design around real needs and workflows. Ergonomics and acoustic comfort were prioritized in all workspaces, ensuring that the office is not only aesthetically pleasing but also quiet, comfortable, and productive.
ZDA approached the project with a commitment to sustainable architecture, achieving compliance with LEED Gold standards. 183 geothermal probes provide eco-efficient heating and cooling through ground-source energy, dramatically reducing the building’s energy demand. The surrounding landscape and building envelope include: 2,500 sqm of green rooftops, 2,600 indoor plants, 52 newly planted trees, and over 20,000 shrubs and perennials, 400 sqm of reflective water surfaces, and 600 custom-designed sun-shading elements on the glass facade. These features improve local microclimate, support biodiversity, and harvest rainwater, creating a holistic environmental strategy that integrates building, landscape, and city fabric.
What sets this building apart is not only its scale or program, but the level of detail and bespoke craftsmanship visible throughout. From custom-designed furniture to hand-finished surfaces, every element speaks of a shared vision between architect and client; a collaboration built on mutual trust, continuity, and ambition. For ZDA | Zoboki Design & Architecture, whose portfolio has increasingly specialized in cultural and high-performance public buildings, the Richter Headquarters marks another step in defining contemporary Hungarian architecture with global relevance.
ZDA designs a flagship workplace for Richter Gedeon in Budapest
a building positioned at the intersection of heritage and high-performance design
a sculptural facade expresses the precision of pharmaceutical R&D