Twin Holiday Home on Lake Balaton: építész stúdió’s Minimalist Retreat in Nature

3 Questions for Luca Mudry & Richárd Hőnich

This holiday home in Balatonszárszó was born from the shared dream of two families, offering both a refined architectural form and a peaceful natural environment.

Q: Can you describe your design philosophy when it comes to blending architecture with nature, especially in such a sensitive and atmospheric location?

A: Rather than competing with nature in terms of form and diversity, it is better to provide simple contrasts and hold up a mirror.

Q: In what ways do you think this project contributes to the legacy of modern architectural heritage around Lake Balaton, and what unique architectural themes does it explore?

A: Essentially, it continues in the ‘Modern Balaton’ style, perhaps even more compact and austere yet playful, as seen in the roof terrace railing and spiral staircase.

The goal here was to minimize technology, leaving out anything that could break or require maintenance.

Q: How do you see your work addressing broader questions about the future of building in harmony with the environment, especially given global ecological concerns?

A: When designing a vacation home, we have the opportunity to set different expectations for the house than we would for a permanent residence. The goal here was to minimize technology, leaving out anything that could break or require maintenance. The tree-lined avenue surrounding the building provided shade for the facades. If necessary, the beneficial effect of the trees could be supplemented by a lightweight shade cover placed on the steel frame.

About Twin Holiday Home on Lake Balaton

Location

The plot lies directly on the south waterfront of Lake Balaton, the biggest lake of Hungary. It is surrounded by tall trees, which provide natural shading. A dense reed bed stretches in front of it, giving the house a hidden and protected position from all directions.

Concept

The building features a simple form with minimal-style details and a white color scheme. Though it is a twin holiday home, each unit is fully self-contained. In addition to the clean appearance, the construction aimed for simplicity: few construction trades, high quality. The façade’s curtain wall functions both as a window and a wall, defining the building’s character.

Function

The two-storey holiday home was built jointly by two friendly families. Living areas are on the ground floor, bedrooms above. In the symmetrical floor plan, a central functional zone houses the auxiliary spaces (kitchens, bathrooms, mechanical systems) in a staggered arrangement. On either side, the main spaces (living rooms and bedrooms) open toward the garden through glass walls.

Structures

Due to high groundwater levels, the reinforced concrete grid foundation was built on bored piles. The vertical load-bearing structure consists of reinforced concrete walls and steel box columns, complemented by high-strength Silka walls to support the reinforced concrete slabs. The interior staircases are non-load-bearing and made of gypsum concrete.

Façade

The two-storey curtain wall features clear and acid-etched glazing with large fixed glass panels and small operable sections, shaded by interior roller blinds. Sliding glass doors open toward the lake. Insulated aluminum panels cover the sections in front of the floor bands and wall surfaces. The entire façade is finished in white powder coating.

Outdoor Connection

The building is framed by a slim steel structure. Both levels open toward the lake with

terraces, and the upper floor also features a terrace on the south side. A pergola system with roller blinds provides comfortable shading. Glass railings enclose the terraces. A spiral steel staircase leads to the flat roof, where a shared rooftop terrace and jacuzzi are located. The large ground-floor terrace is connected to a summer kitchen and a recessed pool at ground level. A long pier leads through the reeds to the open water.

Color Palette and Material Use

The white color exudes tranquility and creates a clean contrast with the green vegetation and water surface, establishing a natural harmony with its surroundings. The exterior is completely white: white curtain wall with white gravel edging, off-white stone carpet flooring on the terrace, and white crushed stone on the roof. The interior is less uniform, with off-white and monochrome tones and the use of wood. The living room features micro terrazzo flooring, the bathroom walls are also finished with terrazzo, and the bedrooms have engineered wood flooring and carpet.

Environmental Awareness

The goal was to combine high comfort with restrained technology. There is no heat recovery ventilation system; instead, hidden humidity-controlled trickle vents are built into the windows, with exhaust from the central service areas. Each unit is equipped with its own air-to-water heat pump for heating. Heat is delivered via underfloor heating and ceiling-based heating and cooling.

Every detail of the building reflects quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, ensuring it serves as a comfortable and durable holiday home for its owners in the long term.