TILIA Wins ‘Office Building of the Year’ Award

The TILIA office building in Szeged, developed by the KÉSZ Group, won the Office Building of the Year award at one of Hungary’s most prestigious real estate competitions, ‘Office of the Year’ where the jury evaluated not only the preservation of historical values but also sustainable operations and the creation of a people-centered work environment. The goal of this competition is to showcase professional excellence, with a particular focus on shaping the office market and developing employer culture.

TILIA in the southeastern Hungarian city of Szeged was realized as a fusion of a modern work environment, historical heritage, and sustainable, people-centered solutions through the rebirth of a former girls’ school built in 1873 in the Art Nouveau style. The locally protected façade on Gutenberg Street preserves the architectural heritage of the city of Szeged, while the building’s clean, contemporary side is revealed from Hajnóczy Street. In addition, the office building’s interior design provides employees with a modern, comfortable work environment, according to the developer’s statement.

Edina Lupsa, Head of the Real Estate Management Division at KÉSZ Group pointed out that “the success of TILIA is particularly important to us, as this is the first office building in Szeged – and indeed in the region – to win this prestigious professional award. During the design process, we focused on employee well-being, accessibility, and sustainable operation. The transparent spaces flooded with natural light, the smart building management system, state-of-the-art ventilation technology, touchless solutions, bicycle-friendly infrastructure and 30 electric vehicle charging stations all contribute to making TILIA not just a workplace, but an inspiring environment as well.”

Sustainability was also a key focus during the development. Category “A” mechanical systems, geothermal ground probes, heat pumps, solar panels, and local renewable energy production reduce the environmental impact. The KÉSZ Group aimed for WELL Platinum, BREEAM Excellent, and Access4you Gold certifications as early as the design phase of the TILIA office building. During construction, locally sourced materials, low-VOC coatings, paints, and adhesives were used, and long-lasting solutions were implemented to minimize waste and maintenance requirements.

The building’s inner courtyard functions as a passageway between Gutenberg and Hajnóczy Streets during the day, providing a new community space for the residents of Szeged. Lufthansa Systems Hungária was selected as the office building’s first tenant, confirming that TILIA also meets international ESG standards.