House and Atelier Among the Foothills of Buda by GUBAHÁMORI: Harmonious Residential Design in Remeteszőlős, Hungary

Nestled at the foot of the Buda Hills in Remeteszőlős, Hungary, the House and Atelier by GUBAHÁMORI exemplifies thoughtful architecture that balances modern living with the natural landscape. Designed by lead architects Sándor Guba and Péter Hámori, the 100 m² residence, completed in 2022, responds to the area’s rich green environment while subtly countering the rapid suburbanization of Budapest’s outskirts.

Context and Site

Remeteszőlős is known for its protected forests, designated since 1983, and its lush multi-level greenery around the village center. Historically an agricultural site until the early 1970s, the area was transformed into a recreational neighborhood, originally dotted with small holiday cottages and light brick constructions. Over the last two decades, the settlement has seen the rise of larger, more complex detached houses, gradually altering the original verdant character of the village.

In response to these changes, GUBAHÁMORI designed the house with a restrained scale, modest materials, and a careful approach to massing, ensuring a sensitive relationship between the building and its green surroundings. The design prioritizes intimacy with nature over the typical suburban sprawl, preserving the tranquility of the site.

Architectural Concept

The house’s massing creates a dual-courtyard system: a smaller, enclosed courtyard at the entrance offers privacy and transition from the street, while a larger rear courtyard opens to the living spaces, hidden from public view. The curved, minimalist form enhances this division and promotes harmony between interior spaces and exterior greenery.

The floor plan is simple yet thoughtful. Positioned centrally, the entrance leads to the kitchen and living area, reflecting a modern interpretation of the traditional three-partition Hungarian home layout. Service spaces like the garage, storage, and mechanical areas face the street, while more private areas: the living room, bedroom, and studio/guest room, are oriented toward the rear, maximizing garden views and natural light.

Integration with Landscape

The existing garden, meticulously maintained by the owner before construction, became a central feature in the design. Wide windows and the slender building mass visually connect interior spaces with the two courtyards, creating the sensation of sitting within the garden itself. This approach reinforces the project’s core principle: architecture that respects and enhances its natural surroundings.

Materials and Sustainability

GUBAHÁMORI’s design uses restrained materials that blend with the natural environment, emphasizing sustainability and visual continuity. The subtle palette and carefully considered scale allow the house to coexist with the site, rather than dominate it, promoting an understated, environmentally conscious lifestyle.

This project exemplifies contemporary residential design that embraces privacy, nature, and functional elegance. By thoughtfully integrating building form, interior layout, and landscape, the House and Atelier Among the Foothills of Buda demonstrates how architecture can harmonize with its context while providing modern comfort.

All photographs are works of  Balázs Danyi