Equinox
The word Equinox first evokes an image of an astronomical event: twice a year, in spring and autumn, the plane of the Earth’s equator passes through the geometric center of the Sun, making day and night equal in length.
It is a symbol of equality, balance, and cyclicality — principles that also define the relationship between the built environment and natural systems.
It is no coincidence that five years ago, when our company was founded, we chose this name.
The meaning our name
For us, Equinox is both a professional and philosophical point of departure:
- Climatic reference: a key moment in building-energy simulations and solar-path analyses.
- Balance: architecture as the constant negotiation between function, environment, economy, and aesthetics.
- Equality and justice: values of social responsibility and fair access to resources.
- Duality: the yin–yang symbolism of complementary opposites.
- The circle’s perfection: a metaphor of wholeness, cyclicality, and the circular economy.
Origins and mission
Equinox was founded by Bálint Bakos and Noémi Bakos with the intention of introducing a new mindset into the Hungarian construction sector.
Our mission is to create an inclusive and sustainable built environment that:
- remains accessible across social groups in the long term,
- is genuinely livable in everyday use,
- and offers value-resilient solutions for both present and future generations.
From the outset, we recognized that construction is one of the world’s largest sources of carbon emissions, and that every decision — from material selection to building technologies and operational strategies — carries serious environmental consequences.
Our guiding principles
At the core of our work stand the following principles:
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Designing and delivering carbon-neutral buildings using timber-based, modular CLT systems.
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Integrating life-cycle assessment (LCA) and resource-efficient material use into the design process.
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Applying renewable energy and climate-adaptive strategies.
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Advancing circular construction, with demountable structures and minimized waste.
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Recognizing the community dimension of housing, tailoring projects to local needs as social as well as technical solutions.
Key projects
Residential buildings
“Júlia” and “Emília” Houses
Carbon-neutral family homes built with modular CLT technology and designed as showcases of the Equinox-System™. Their design integrates life-cycle analysis, renewable energy, and circular material use, setting new standards for sustainable, healthy, and energy-efficient housing in Hungary.
Ligetszépe House
A CLT home built on screw piles instead of concrete foundations, enabling full disassembly and circular reuse. Life-cycle analysis confirms a negative carbon footprint over 60 years, supported by biogenic carbon storage. Shading systems and a suspended canopy mitigate summer overheating while allowing passive solar gain in winter. The project reinterprets vernacular architectural traditions through contemporary sustainable technologies.
Read more: Ligetszépe
Community and urban projects
Krisna Valley health and guest house
A fully self-sufficient building, operating without grid connections. Powered by photovoltaics and supported by a wood gasification boiler and solar collectors, with rainwater harvesting and reed-bed wastewater treatment, the project exemplifies the meeting of sustainable living and spiritual community values.
Edmonton green masterplan (London, UK)
A 245,000 m² mixed-use urban regeneration scheme, integrating residential, office, and retail functions. As sustainability consultants, Equinox contributed to energy strategy, overheating analysis, and circular solutions, supporting the pursuit of a BREEAM Excellent rating. The project targets up to 75% lower carbon emissions compared to conventional dwellings.
Read more: Edmonton
Awards and recognition
Equinox has received numerous national and international awards, underscoring the innovative strength and social impact of our climate-conscious practice.
Corporate Awards:
- HuGBC Zero Carbon Award (2024), Sustainable Tulip Award (2023),
- Portfolio Green SME of the Year (2023),
- BUILD Best Multi-Disciplinary Sustainable Architecture & Design Practice (2025, Europe).
- Shortlists: Portfolio Green Awards 2025 – Green Investment of the Year; Portfolio Green Awards 2025 – Green Role Model of the Year.
Project Awards:
- House of the Year 2023 – HELLA Special Award, PREFA 2023 Special Award
- HuGBC Zero Carbon Award 2025 – New Build Category
- Panasonic PRO Awards 2025 – Family House Category
- Sustainable Building Envelope Award 2024 – Family House Category
- BUILD Most Innovative Residential Eco-Design & Build Project 2025 (Europe)
- ÉVOSZ Green Building of the Year 2024 for the Corvinus Campus.
Five years in review
Looking back, Equinox has grown into much more than an architectural office or a contractor — it has become our shared laboratory for climate-conscious innovation.
What started with a handful of pilot houses has expanded into a full spectrum of services: from consultancy and design to research, education, and hands-on construction.
Along the way, we have developed the Equinox-System™, our timber-based, modular, and circular building approach that now forms the backbone of both our residential and community projects.
This combination of practice, research, and education has allowed us not only to deliver buildings but also to grow a methodology — one that bridges science and community, while steadily shaping a more resilient and inclusive built environment.
We are really proud and thankful for all the people who have connected with us and supported us on this path.
Looking ahead
Where do we go from here? Always forward.
We don’t stop, even when the conditions are not the best, because our belief in our core values — cooperation, sustainability, and social responsibility — keeps us moving forward.
The construction sector stands at a turning point where climate adaptation and circular economy principles are no longer options but obligations. Equinox aims to act as a bridge in this transformation: integrating scientific knowledge, industry innovation, and community needs.
After five years, one thing is clear: true architectural achievement is measured not only in the beauty of buildings but also in how much they contribute to a livable, just, and climate-resilient future.
