ZDA Designs Richter Gedeon’s Flagship Headquarters in Budapest
ZDA has unveiled Richter Gedeon’s new flagship headquarters—a workplace where innovation, nature, and architectural precision come together. This building stands at the crossroads of tradition and cutting-edge design. Serving as the heart of the company’s global operations, the Budapest headquarters supports Richter Gedeon’s presence in over 50 countries and its workforce of more than 12,000 employees. Spanning 17,400 sqm, the building provides 400 permanent workstations, a 120-seat auditorium, and generous communal spaces, including a 150-seat restaurant and expansive green rooftop gardens. All these features are united by a focus on human-centered and forward-thinking architecture.
Situated along Gyömrői Road in Kőbánya—a location deeply connected to the company’s roots—the headquarters is a key part of ZDA’s long-term master plan for the area, which began more than twenty years ago. Both the site and architectural concept are designed to bridge Richter Gedeon’s heritage with its future aspirations, blending local identity with internationally competitive design principles. The building’s sculptural facade demonstrates a unique interplay between the discipline of pharmaceutical research and the creative drive of innovation. Every aspect, from the intricate curtain wall to the sun-shading lamellae, establishes a language of precision, rhythm, and movement, echoing the scientific processes that take place inside.
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 into the interior. At the building’s core is a spacious, naturally lit central atrium, serving as the headquarters’ vibrant heart. Here, dramatic staircases function as more than simple pathways—they become meeting points that encourage spontaneous interactions while elegantly connecting multiple floors. The interiors showcase a thoughtfully selected palette of natural materials such as wood, glass, and refined plaster, creating an atmosphere that is both calming and sophisticated. Colors and textures are carefully coordinated to support both focused solo work and group collaboration. Throughout the design phase, ZDA engaged employees through interviews and workshops, tailoring the workspaces to actual needs and daily routines. Ergonomics and acoustic comfort were prioritized, resulting in offices that are not only visually appealing but also quiet, comfortable, and productive.
With a strong emphasis on sustainability, ZDA achieved LEED Gold certification for the building. The headquarters is equipped with 183 geothermal probes that deliver energy-efficient heating and cooling via ground-source technology, significantly reducing overall energy consumption. The landscape and building envelope feature 2,500 sqm of green rooftops, 2,600 indoor plants, 52 newly planted trees, and over 20,000 shrubs and perennials. In addition, there are 400 sqm of reflective water surfaces and 600 custom-designed sun-shading elements on the glass facade. These sustainable measures enhance the local microclimate, promote biodiversity, and enable rainwater collection, resulting in an integrated environmental strategy that connects the building with its landscape and the surrounding urban context.
What distinguishes this headquarters is not only its scale or program, but the meticulous attention to detail and bespoke craftsmanship present throughout. From custom furnishings to hand-finished surfaces, every feature reflects a close collaboration between architect and client—a relationship marked by trust, continuity, and shared ambition. For ZDA | Zoboki Design & Architecture, known for their work on cultural and high-performance public buildings, the Richter Headquarters represents another milestone in shaping contemporary Hungarian architecture with an international perspective.
ZDA designs a flagship workplace for Richter Gedeon in Budapest
a building positioned at the intersection of heritage and high-performance design
<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-1166959 size-full lazyload" bad-src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" alt="glass curtain wall envelops richter gedeon’s headquarters by ZDA in budapest" width="818" height="1091" src="https://static.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/zda-richter-gedeon-headquarters-flagship-budapest-designboom-818-2.jpg" srcset="https://static.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/zda-richter-gedeon-headquarters-flagship-budapest-designboom-818-2.jpg 818w, https://static.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/202
