About the awarding organization
Founded in 2009, the Hungarian Green Building Council (HuGBC) is Hungary’s preeminent nonprofit association dedicated to advancing sustainable and environmentally responsible construction. Its founding members span architects, engineers, real estate developers, building-materials manufacturers, economists, and other professionals across the built environment—united by a commitment to both ecological stewardship and economic viability
As an Established Member of the international World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), HuGBC brings global strategic insights and methodologies to the Hungarian context, fostering alignment with international best practices in decarbonization and green building. Through advocacy, professional training, regulatory engagement, and knowledge dissemination via conferences and publications, HuGBC works to shape the market, educational frameworks, and legislative conditions that support sustainable construction across Hungary
The annual Zero Carbon Award, launched by HuGBC, stands among the country’s most prestigious recognitions, honoring exceptional efforts in achieving zero-carbon construction goals and inspiring innovation within the community
Why Bálint?
From the outset, Bálint’s career has been dedicated to sustainability:
- AA London – Earned an MSc in Sustainable Environmental Design (2018), graduating with distinction for his dissertation.
- Solar Decathlon (2012) – Served as project leader of a 60-member international student team in Madrid, winning multiple awards in sustainability, construction, and comfort.
- International experience – Worked in London, Dubai, Vietnam, Oman, and China on large-scale sustainable masterplans and architectural projects.
- Co-founder of Equinox International – Together with his partners, launched the Equinox-System™, delivering Hungary’s first whole-life zero-carbon residential building (Project Júlia, 2023).
- Educator and speaker – Regularly lectures at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and has been invited as a speaker to several international conferences.
The award acknowledges Bálint’s personal impact: through his professional projects, research, teaching, and collaborative work at Equinox, he has significantly advanced the culture of carbon-neutral design.
Awarded projects
Although the award recognizes an individual career, it is closely connected to Equinox’s collective achievements:
- Júlia House – Hungary’s first whole-life zero-carbon residential building
- Emília House – a carbon-neutral, CLT-based home
- Ligetszépe – community-focused design with low embodied carbon and circular material use
- Szigetmonostor weekend house – a climate-adaptive compact family-house
What this recognition means
For us, this award is more than an honor – it is a message:
- Individual careers and personal commitment can drive change across the industry.
- Zero-carbon and circular design are not distant goals – they are achievable realities today.
- Equinox’s work goes beyond buildings – we are helping to build a culture of transformation.
