As an overseas example of MSK Architects' bespoke home design capabilities, Sommelier’s Home is a sculpted oasis of restrained luxury, architecturally designed by Sandor Duzs (interior design by Architema), and completed on the hillsides of suburban Budapest.

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Architectural Expression

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Set on a steeply sloping north-facing plot, the house presents a bold yet minimalist presence in pure white. Its asymmetrical façades and vertically shifted roof volumes create dynamic architectural tension, while expansive glazing invites panoramic views into the home.

An elevated staircase guides visitors to the entrance, leading into a separate guest apartment and flowing into a vast, interconnected social zone. This open-plan ensemble—comprising a breakfast area, dining room, and living space—flows outward through glass walls into the landscaped garden, fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor integration.

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Spatial and Material Design

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Delicate zoning defines each area without visible partitions: a granite-grey kitchen anchors the space, with a massive American walnut-fronted wardrobe elegantly acting as a dividing element, while a tile-clad pillar with integrated fireplace splits the duplex living space and draws the eye upward to the gallery-level library.

The dramatic library gallery - perched on the first floor — basks in natural light through multi-directional windows, offering sweeping vistas and spatial continuity across levels.

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Functional Layers and Finishes

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This home supports refined family living with purposefully arranged areas: children’s bedrooms and baths, plus a master suite with bedroom, bathroom, and wardrobe, are discretely placed on the upper level.

Below, the cellar level becomes a haven for hospitality — featuring a glass-enclosed wine display that maintains ideal conditions, a bespoke pizza oven, and a custom sauna—creating an elevated wellness experience.

Material and color transitions are subtle and deliberate: from deeper, darker tones in the cellar—rough oak, deep flooring, greenish and gold accents reminiscent of a modern wine cellar—to soft greys on the ground floor, and chalky whites, beige, and warmer tones in the private upper-level spaces. This progression underscores a refined design sensibility that harmonizes bold gestures with understated comfort.

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Key Design Highlights

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‍Site & Façade Sculptural white villa with asymmetry and volumetric shifts, engaging steep terrain and views

‍Spatial Flow Open social zones, guest suite, interconnected areas blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries

‍Material Palette Granite, walnut, tiles, oak—rich, layered textures and evolving tones

‍Vertical Connectivity Duplex living room, fireplace pillar draws the eye upward to elegant gallery/library

‍Functional Zoning Thoughtful distribution of family and guest areas, including luxurious cellar amenities

‍Atmosphere Functional yet sensitive, with high-quality details, inviting warmth, and architectural clarity

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This project exemplifies Sandor Duzs’s design philosophy—melding poetic form and precise detail.

Its layered spatial narrative, meticulous material selections, and striking visual integration make Sommelier’s Home a profound example of contemporary architectural living.

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Photos by Tamas Bujnovszky and Sandor Duzs

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