We believe that sustainability can only be reached through holistic and conscious design.

We have promoted sustainable design for more than 15 years as individuals. Our specialist expert team was first established in 2008 as a department of the former Mérték Architectural Studio. Over the past decades, we have been involved in several projects either as sustainability consultants, researchers or façade specialists. During these years, we have placed special attention on the ongoing maintenance and deepening of our knowledge. Thanks to these efforts, we can provide a wide range of state of the art services in building and urban energy engineering and environmental design.

We offer services from the conceptual planning phase to the realisation of a project, for project sizes from a detached house to urban concepts. Apart from designing new buildings in an environmentally-friendly way, we see a great challenge in the green refurbishment of existing buildings.

Besides the commitment to engineering and our unique expertise, our main motivation in work is our faith and personal mindset. We believe that our work not only meets interests and aesthetical expectations of our clients but also serves the sustainable development of our environment. This belief and commitment drives us in European and global research projects working towards new directions and possibilities.

We actively cooperate with scientific and professional organisations that support the worldwide promotion of sustainable construction. We believe that every location is special with a unique history, inhabitants and climate to which we have to adapt and humbly find the perfect solution for people living there. This is why we work and train ourselves continuously: to contribute to a more sustainable world by the means of innovation.

OUR TEAM

Our team reflects our holistic approach: empowered by engineers, architects, sociologists, data scientists, climate experts and researchers, we have the capacity to thoroughly overview each project, from the building material to its future residents. 

András Reith

CEO

MSc. Architect and Building Eng. (Budapest University of Technology and Economics)
MSc. ClimaDesign (Technische Universität München)
Associate Professor, University of Pécs, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Former Vice President of the Budapest Architect Chamber
Former president of Hungary Green Building Council

 

Dr. Andras Reith is the CEO and founder of ABUD. As an active architect and researcher, he has promoted sustainable design for two decades. His special fields of expertise are Integrated Design Process, ClimaDesign®, specialised façade design, design and consultancy of Net-Zero energy developments, and design in accordance with LEED, BREEAM and DGNB.

As a passionate mountaineer and a mentee of the renowned architect Prof. Thomas Herzog, he dedicated himself to sustainable design from the very beginning of his career. After gaining international experience in Germany and Spain, he became partner at MERTEK studio, one of the first and most influential advocates of sustainable architecture in Hungary.

Andras is an expert reviewer of the fifth report of UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), a leading author of the Climatic and Energy Concept of the Budapest Urban Development Concept, and the former president of the Hungary Green Building Council. He has been an invited speaker at several universities.

Dr. Adrienn Gelesz PhD

Partner

MSc. Arch. & Build. Eng. (BME)
Urban and Facility Building Energy Engineer
LEED Accredited Professional
BREEAM International Assessor
BREEAM in Use Auditor

With a background in low-energy, integrated building design, Adrienn became one of the first Hungarian experts in sustainable building certification, active also internationally. Apart from her significant impact on introducing green building assessments to the Hungarian building sector, she also promoted the adaptation of LEED and BREEAM requirements to local practices.

Adrienn’s strength lies in project management, provided by her remarkably logical approach to design processes. She is also an expert in building energy modelling, originating from her passion for researching the performance of double skin façades.

She believes that the key to a sustainable building is it being user-friendly with accessible interfaces, which can be achieved by thoughtful design.

Orsolya Birtalan

Operations Manager

MSc. Arch. & Build. Eng. (BME)

As ABUD’s Operations Manager, Orsi is responsible for driving efficiency across capabilities, client needs and team competencies. She is a key member of the company’s executive team, taking a leading role in areas such as proposal writing, client contracts, finance, delivery and project management. Orsi has proven to be an excellent mediator, guiding parties with diverse professional backgrounds and interests to a mutual understanding.

Ágnes Jeszenszky

CFO

MSc. Economist

As Financial Analyst and EU Grants Coordinator, Ági plays a crucial role in the preparation of the general and grants-related decision-making processes. Her main responsibilities include the monitoring and assessment of all operating accounts, preparation of financial reports, coordination of financial closing and providing financial analytical support.

Ági also strengthens the company’s R&D division by coordinating the grant making process from application stages to project conclusion, preparing reports and other documents for internal and external reporting in compliance with the financial and regulatory requirements of the European Union and working on general administration and financial tasks. Ági always pays attention carefully to every small detail: with her on the board, business administration is in safe hands.

Julia Oravecz

Innovation Manager

MSc. Design Management (MOME)

Julia oversees the innovation strategy and initiatives within the company. She is dedicated to sustain and nurture the innovation culture by comprehensive idea and talent management, including project incubation, managing international R&I cooperations and monitoring funding opportunities. She is also responsible to support lean management processes from project to organizational scale.

Kriszta Alföldi

PR & Communications Manager

MA American Studies (ELTE)
MA Portuguese Language, Literature and Culture (ELTE)

Kriszta is responsible for the smooth online and offline communications of ABUD. With years of experience behind her back, she managed online communications platforms, campaigns and developed strategy for a range of international and local clients within the private and public sector. She is well acquanted in PR and press related work and was a member of the organizing team of TEDx events in Hungary.

Kriszta believes that small steps towards achieving sustainability can drive change in our society. She assisted a number of initiatives in this field including startups, creative and communications projects.

Viktor Bukovszki

Senior Consultant

ongoing PhD studies (Technische Universität München, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management)
cand. techn. Urban Design (Aalborg University)
BSc Architectural Engineer (YBL)

 

Viktor is the scientific coordinator of research and innovation projects in the areas of urban sustainability, digitalisation, nature-based solutions, and governance.

He has qualifications in sustainable urban transitions, data science, and architectural engineering. Viktor has a research profile in science and technology studies, with ongoing doctoral studies, focusing on designing institutional technologies to improve the social scalability of decentralised environmental governance.

His work at ABUD includes leading and operational work in international applied research and innovation projects, consulting on market projects beyond the building scale, and engineering services, such as space syntax and AI-powered design support.

Melinda Orova

Senior Consultant

Ongoing PhD studies, University of Pécs, Marcell Breuer Doctoral School
MSc. Architectural Engineer (Budapest University of Technology and Economics)
Building Energy Engineer
LEED AP BD+C

Melinda is a Senior Consultant in energy efficient building design, mainly involved in LEED and WELL building certification and R&D projects, but her work also includes Life Cycle Analysis for BREEAM projects. Her qualification as a Building Energy Engineer led her to a deeper understanding of the rationale of green building certifications.

In NewTREND H2020 research project her main responsibility was the coordination of demonstration sites in Hungary, Finland and Spain. Her scientific research encompasses the comparison and evaluation of neighbourhood sustainability assessment systems, development of KPI systems, and the definition and characterisation of smart city and its role in building energy refurbishments.

In spite of her broad range of interest, her work points to one definite direction: the evidence-based sustainable transformation of built environment. In her point of view, the ideal city serves the community – and numbers can help us achieve this.

In StepUP, her main responsibility is the coordination and the development of the project’s deep renovation methodology. Furthermore, she coordinates the pilot building renovation processes in Hungary, Spain and Scotland.

Ábel Magyari

Consultant

MSc. Architect (BME)

As a consultant and project manager at ABUD, Ábel works both on urban scale R&D projects and building certifications. His main research interests lie in urban scale energy modelling, plus energy neighbourhoods, distributed infrastructures and energy communities.

In his theses work, Ábel designed a sustainable cricket farm in synergy with the neighbouring purification-plant and horticulture market. During his university years, Ábel spent his first professional internship at ABUD. While acquiring more and more experience in the management of BREEAM certifications and in understanding building community processes, he decided to invest his special expertise in a Danish automatized and modular cricket farming start-up.

Ábel’s strength lies in identifying patterns in big datasets, his interdisciplinary approach and high level of stress-tolerance. He believes that the keys to sustainable transformation is resource optimization and education.

Francisca Tapia

Consultant

PhD Student, Faculty of Architectural Engineering, University of Pécs
MSc Building and Architectural Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
BSc Architecture, Urban and Building Design, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador

With a background in urban planning and architecture, Francisca brings a significant sustainability perspective to our research team. As a sustainability consultant, her focus is on implementing and evaluating nature-based solutions (NbS) and managing passive energy solutions for effective decision and policy-making.

Prior to joining our team, Francisca earned her MSc in Building Engineering from Politecnico di Milano. Her thesis focused on microclimate analysis and NbS in industrial areas like Bolzano, conducted at the EURAC Research Institute. Her professional experience is rooted in sustainable strategies, research, and innovation, with work across various locations including Ecuador, Argentina, and Italy.

Francisca is a member of the German NGO, gaia-liNc, which works on sustainable development projects in Latin America. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD, with her research focused on Service Design and the implementation of NbS.

Rebeka Dóra Balázs

Senior Consultant

MSc. Architect (BME)
MA Sociology and Social Anthropology,
Global and Urban Studies Specialization (CEU)

With a multidisciplinary background in architecture, sociology and social anthropology,

Rebeka ensures the social sustainability of our projects. As an R&D consultant and project coordinator, her daily work includes designing participatory processes, monitoring occupant behaviour, and stakeholder analysis and involvement.

 

Before joining ABUD, Rebeka conducted a long-term, empirical research on participatory planning, aiming to decrease the gap between theory and practice in the field. She has also worked in construction coordination of a non-governmental social housing initiative.

She believes that a better understanding of the social impact of built environment and the conveying of this knowledge to practitioners is the guarantee of spatial justice.

Javed Iqbal

Consultant

Energy Analyst Expert, Consultant,
Representing ABUD in India
Tech Energy & Environmental Engineering
LEED AP, CEA
ECBC Master Trainer
BEMP Certified

Javed Iqbal is an internationally experienced sustainability and energy efficiency consultant, building performance diagnostics expert and GBCI LEED reviewer. He has a deep understanding of industrial system operations and optimisation through advanced energy modelling tools.

As an accredited LEED AP, he successfully implemented over 35 projects, including the first LEED Gold Office Building in both Tanzania and South Africa, and Building Mechanical Design Optimisation for the largest industrial facility, 1 million m² in Central Europe. Javed has broad experience in energy auditing to enable rational decision making in implementing post occupancy building performance optimisation measures in government, industrial and commercial buildings.

Javed is a self-driven professional, always eager to explore and learn. He believes in common sense solutions and that even a simple good decision can lead to a huge positive environmental impact.

Péter Párdi

Consultant

MSc. Environmental Management & Sustainability Science (Aalborg University)
BSc. Agricultural Engineering in Environmental Management (Corvinus University of Budapest)

As a consultant, Peti supports a wide variety of sustainability projects from building to urban scale, with a special focus on stakeholder and citizen engagement and the development of cooperative models. He is mostly involved in BREEAM certification of buildings, in addition to his participation in urban scale climate strategy development and R&D projects.

His studies in Denmark enabled him to gain a broad understanding and hands-on experience of sustainable resource management and circular economy. During these years, his interest shifted towards the dynamics of a community driven sustainable transition. Peti believes that a profound systemic change will be based on participatory decision-making and bottom-up citizen initiatives.

Kitti Párdi

Consultant

MSc in Urban Planning and Management (Aalborg University)
WELL AP

With deep knowledge in socio-technical transition management, Kitti provides research support in R&D projects. She is also involved in WELL certification projects, providing consultancy and assessment both in design and construction stage.

Kitti studied urban planning and management at Aalborg University: in her thesis work, she investigated urban planning tools for gender equality in cities. Kitti is involved in the exploration of social and behavioural implications of technical interventions, and the application of strategic niche management techniques in urban governance.

Kitti believes in the rediscovery of the human factor in placemaking, whether it is planning on a human scale, involving all citizens in decision making, or ensuring the spatiality of justice. Her open and perceptive personality enables her to adapt to new challenges with ease.

Dávid Jenei

Consultant

BSc in Energy Engineering (BME)
Energy assessor specialist

As a Consultant, Dávid is responsible for the project management of international R&D projects with a focus on energy efficiency and is also involved in guiding green building certification projects. Having spent more than ten years in the fields of engineering and energy engineering, he brings in-depth expertise in the realization of building-scale energy efficiency, energy audits and energy certifications processes. Throughout his professional career, Dávid guided and evaluated numerous energy related EU tender processes for his clients, including municipalities and the Hungarian government. He was the project manager for Solar Decathlon Europe in Hungary (2019) – an international competition that challenges collegiate teams to design and build houses powered exclusively by the renewable energy sources.

Dávid obtained his diploma as an Energy Engineer from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. With a strong commitment to sustainability, circular economy and energy efficiency, Dávid sees the future in neighborhood- and urban scale sustainable development through a holistic approach.

Hashir Usman

Junior Consultant

European Master in BIM A+
MSc Engineering Management (Construction Industry Specialization)
BSc Civil Engineering

As a civil engineer, Hashir supports our LEED certification and consultancy projects, with a special focus on sustainable sites, water efficiency and materials related credits. He has a specialized knowledge in BIM.

After gaining a degree in Civil Engineering, he was involved in one of Pakistan’s biggest construction project and introduced ideas of sustainable design to the management. His interest in green building grew to a dedication after he started his MSc studies in Debrecen. His scientific research was focused on how Building Information Modelling (BIM) can support the thermal comfort analysis of buildings.

Hashir embraces new challenges and never stops exploring new fields of sustainable design. In his opinion, the three main elements of sustainable design are comprehensive and integrated approach, efficient communication between stakeholders and advanced tools.

Luca Veress

Junior Consultant

BA Urban Studies and Planning (University of Sheffield, UK)

Luca is currently involved in JUSTNature Project and our R&D endeavors. With a sound background in urban planning, urban regeneration and water-sensitive urban design, Luca is an aspiring urbanist who is committed to creating environmentally sustainable and socially just spaces for all. She conducted her studies at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom and obtained a BA in Urban Studies and Planning.

Luca’s strength lies in perceiving the urban environment in a holistic way, as it is a complex system that is determined by global and local policies, challenges and needs. In her free time, she works at a civil sector initiative to create healthier streets. She is intrigued by the impacts of climate change on our society and how we can transform our cities into a liveable urban environment.

Oussama Elkarymy

Junior Consultant

MSc in Mechanical Engineering (Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
BSc in Renewable Energy and Processes (Ecole Supérieure de Technologie, Morocco)

Oussama has built a strong foundation in renewable energy through internships in solar energy, combining his love for mechanical innovation with a commitment to sustainable solutions. As a Junior Consultant working on the CoolLIFE project, he’s crafting computer scripts and developing models to make buildings more energy-efficient. Oussama excels in using tools like Grasshopper, Rhino, and Python, aiming to make commercial spaces more sustainable.

He’s especially proud of his work on the CoolLIFE project, where he’s grown his skills in detailed analysis and coding. His research into green roofs shows his deep interest in sustainable living. Outside of work, Oussama keeps learning and collaborating, constantly improving his ability to solve complex problems with creative solutions.

Looking to the future, Oussama wants to further sharpen his skills in energy modeling and Python programming to meet the industry’s complex challenges head-on. He’s also planning to blend his hands-on experience with academic research by pursuing a PhD, aiming to explore deeper into energy modeling.

Nur Haliza Abdullah

Research Assistant

Public Policy and Management Master’s program at Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary (expected to graduate in July 2024)

Liza possesses a strong international background in social and political science. In her role as a research assistant, her responsibilities encompass a broad spectrum of tasks. These include conducting comprehensive literature reviews, creating analytical frameworks, designing survey and interview questions, undertaking research, and compiling detailed reports.

Moreover, Liza’s passion for reading and writing is not just a personal hobby; it plays a significant role in her professional development. This interest provides her with a unique avenue to express her ideas and enhance her cognitive abilities, further enriching her contributions to her work at ABUD.  Her vision as a research assistant is better understand how the social dimension contributes to sustainable development. Liza thinks that addressing social issues and promoting inclusive development approaches are critical for achieving sustainable development goals and creating a more just and equitable world for present and future generations.

Lilla Friedreich

Junior Consultant

MSc in Environmental engineering (BME) with a focus on spatial and hydrological modeling and nature-based solutions on runoff management

Lilla Friedreich is a Junior Consultant who has graduated with an MSc in Environmental Engineering from BME, specializing in spatial and hydrological modeling and nature-based solutions for runoff management. Her academic achievements and focus areas underline her commitment to addressing complex environmental challenges through innovative engineering solutions.

Always open to new challenges, Lilla’s detail-oriented mindset is a significant asset in her work. She is actively involved in BREEAM and WELL certification processes and undertakes various Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calculations.

Lilla believes that achieving sustainability requires a multifaceted approach, combining education and individual aspiration with science-driven legislation at both global and local levels. Lilla’s commitment to her field is not just professional; it’s a reflection of her personal values and her aspiration to make a tangible impact on the world.

Mariel Zamudio Valdés

Junior Consultant

MSc Environment and Development (University of Edinburgh, Scotland)
BA Industrial Design (Tecnológico de Monterrey, México)

Mariel is currently part of the newly established Nature-based Solutions (NbS) group in ABUD, focusing on research and consultancy projects about developing NbS in urban contexts and she is also involved in the EU Horizon 2020 projects. With a background in project management, she excels at transforming ideas into actionable plans, underpinned by her critical thinking skills, particularly in governance structures of socio-ecological systems. Her approach combines design thinking with environmental science to yield insightful research outcomes.

Her personal interests, such as exploring the nexus between human displacement and climate change, enrich her professional perspective. She engages with communities, fostering multicultural relationships, and is passionate about ethnography, design, and environmentalism. Mariel’s vision centers on advancing NbS initiatives, enhancing urban livability and sustainability. She is driven by a philosophy of continuous learning and perseverance, with a commitment to sustainability reflected in her conscious, caring approach to both professional projects and daily life.

Derique Mikhail C. Casio

Research Assistant

MA in Regional and Environmental Economics
(Budapest University of Technology and Economics)

Derique is a Research Assistant deeply engaged in the intersection of economics and environmental sustainability. With his recent Master’s in Regional and Environmental Economics from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. His journey from the Philippines to Hungary has been marked by a steadfast commitment to blending academic inquiry with real-world applications. His work at ABUD, particularly on projects like JustNature and CoolLIFE, reflects a keen focus on valuing non-market goods, such as ecosystem services, through innovative economic methodologies.

Derique’s enthusiasm transcends academic pursuits into community engagement, where his leadership in volunteer projects and hackathons during the pandemic underscored the importance of teamwork and diverse perspectives in addressing environmental challenges.

Derique’s vision is clear: to illuminate the role of economic methods in understanding and promoting sustainability. Whether through developing tools like the Total Economic Valuation for JustNature or exploring sustainable solutions in urban planning, his work aims to bridge the gap between economic theory and environmental practice. As he continues to explore this dynamic field, Derique is driven by the hope of contributing to a more sustainable future, one where economic decisions are in harmony with the natural world, embodying a pluricentric worldview that respects our intrinsic connection to nature.

Anna Gaál

Consultant

BSc. Environmental Eng. (BME)
MSc. Mechanical Modelling Eng. (BME)
WELL AP

Anna is engaged in WELL and BREEAM certification projects in the design and construction stage with an experience in environmental engineering and HVAC modelling.

During her BSc and MSc studies, Anna expanded her theoretical and practical know-how in various fields, such as hydrodynamics, water quality measurement and energetics. In her MSc Thesis, she was dealing with the complex matter of waste management systems that resulted in an LCA-based comparison of four EU countries. Anna acquired broad experience in using various modelling software, by working in team-projects such as the optimisation of wind turbine blades and telescopes.

Anna likes to look at challenges with new perspective, always approaching them with a child’s enthusiasm.

Fanni Cifka

Consultant, currently on maternity leave

MSc. Environmental Engineer (BME)
Specialist in Energy Management (MATE)

Fanni is responsible for BREEAM certification projects and urban scale climate strategies with an experience in environmental engineering.

She gained a deep and holistic understanding of the sustainable transformation of systems with the means of environmental engineering. During her years at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, she conducted studies in municipal wastewater management technologies and rheological characterization of municipal sludge, and the environmental aspects of urban design.

Her abiding endurance and patience certainly keeps the team in balance.

Olga Péteri

Senior Consultant, currently on maternity leave

MSc. Architect (BME)
BREEAM AP & International Assessor

As senior consultant, Olga is responsible of leading BREEAM certification projects, providing consultancy, carrying out assessments both in design and construction stage. She is also involved in Life Cycle Analysis of buildings, and the development of urban scale climate strategies.

Her strong drive to support sustainable values in architecture originates from her voluntary work in socially responsible architecture. Participating in the reconstruction works in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake and in several social building projects in Hungary made her realize the potential of architecture in the fight against climate change.

Her constant tranquillity brings consistency to every project she leads.

OUR PARTNERS

Archicon

AUDI

AVIS

Bánáti + Hartvig Építész Iroda Kft.

Bayer

Bischoff

Budapest XII. Kerület Önkormányzat

Budapest XIV. Kerület Önkormányzat

Budapest XVIII. Kerület Önkormányzat

CÉH Zrt.

CEU

City of Budapest

COST-RESTORE

CPI Property Group

Design Terminal

Energiaklub

European Union

FINTA Studio

Formaterv Zrt.

FŐBER Zrt.

Futureal

Global Buildings Performance Network

GRAPHISOFT

Henkel

HuGBC

IES

KÉSZ Építő és Szerelő Kft.

Kinnarps

Kirk Architects

Közti Zrt.

Lechner Tudásközpont

Lidl Magyarország

M+W

Magyar Építő Zrt.

Magyar Építő Zrt.- ZÁÉV Építőipari Zrt.

Market Zrt.

Mérték Építészeti Stúdió

MINUSPLUS Építész Kft.

MOME

M-Teampannon Építészmérnöki Kft.

Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU)

P&G

PLANT – Atelier Peter Kiss

PWC

Reneszánsz Kőfaragó Zrt

Rolla Art Kft

Salzburg University

Siemens

SKANSKA

Strabag

Stúdió IN-EX Kft.

TECNALIA

Tiba Stúdió

Trigránit

T-Systems

TÜV Rheinland

Urban Innovative Actions (UIA)

Wing

Zaha Hadid Architects

Zoo Budapest