The Story of NOVU
Four of us started: Attila Barkóczy, Zoltán Jánky, Vince Kováts, and Attila Pál.

In 2013, with great ambition, we launched Opinion Builders Ltd., which has since grown into a significant success in BIM management and architecture. As the team proved itself in more and more projects, we brought in an increasing number of talented professionals. At its peak, this meant an office of 52 people.

After ten years, by mutual decision, two of the four founders will pursue different paths starting in 2024: Vince Kováts has built Aparip Kft., and Attila Pál has established DANU Mérnök és Tervező Kft. and We became NOVU.
NOVU: Our Guiding Principle:

Under the leadership of Attila Barkóczy and Zoltán Jánky, we've revitalized our old brand and formed a team where architects, civil engineers, creative professionals, and various disciplines work closely together towards a common goal: to create value in the construction industry through innovative solutions,

and win your hearts in the process. :)

Many things are important to us, but our team and our clients always come first. We believe that successful collaboration is built just as much on openness, honesty, and embracing vulnerability as it is on professional experience and the equal sharing of ideas. These principles foster a creative process that allows us to build something great while responsibly shaping the architecture of our future to be more sustainable and circular.

"Innovation at Work" – that's our motto, putting innovation to work. This motto guides us. We think, plan, develop, seek solutions, and continuously refine our practical approach.

Want to learn more? Feel free to call us!
NOVU Around the World
Timeline
Team
Anna Jankovich
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
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Anna Jankovich
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
anna.jankovich@novu.eu
Attila Barkóczy
Managing Director
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Attila Barkóczy
Managing Director
attila.barkoczy@novu.eu
I have been an engineer for as long as I can remember. I am an engineer in the sense that I take every device, process, and interaction, break it down into its components, and put it back together again. I don't think in terms of principles, definitions, formulas, or rules, but in terms of whys, goals, and cause-and-effect. I believe the highest level of knowledge is understanding how the world works. The flow of money, the motivations behind behavior, the reasons for our desires, the frailty of human nature, the water cycle, and the power of emotions. The birth of stars, the relativity of time, the trance of music, the journey of hemoglobin. These are the things that drive us; they are the source of wars, agreements, doubts, relationships, compromises, peace of mind, and, of course, 42. Fortunately, I chose a profession where I can expand this knowledge every single day :) In my free time, I usually daydream about having even more free time—time to read books, tinker with my cars, take photos, make music with my children, carve wood, drive into the horizon, listen to old-school metal, get my hands dirty, share everything with my friends, and enjoy the love of my family. A father, a partner, an engineer, a human being. One of the founders and the Managing Director of NOVU.
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Balázs Pápay
Chartered Architect, Construction Technical Expert, Lead Investment Coordinator
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Balázs Pápay
Chartered Architect, Construction Technical Expert, Lead Investment Coordinator
balazs.papay@novu.eu
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Balázs Szigetvári
Architect, MSc in Architecture
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Balázs Szigetvári
Architect, MSc in Architecture
balazs.szigetvari@novu.eu
I graduated as an architect from BME and have been a key member of the NOVU team since 2018. I am fascinated by all forms of storytelling—from architectural concepts, film, and literature to contemporary social phenomena. Because of this, I view the built environment as a shaper of human living space across both time and place. I enjoy thinking visually and systemically, creating complex and aesthetic structures. In my free time, I gravitate toward creative pursuits: I love cooking something special, listening to music, playing board and digital games, or staying active, which includes dancing salsa.
Boglárka Pető
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
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Boglárka Pető
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
boglarka.peto@novu.eu
I graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in 2018, and since then, I have primarily focused on architectural design and project management. I have always been interested in interior design and any creative activity related to architecture. I consider myself a curious and creative person, but I also value a logical, rational approach. I like it when a project is not only beautiful but also functional. I am currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in fire safety engineering at BME to further support my work and my clients across a broader range of areas.
Coffee
certified whirlwind engineer
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Coffee
certified whirlwind engineer
hello@novu.eu
Kávé is the office's official troublemaker. She is incredibly clever at calculating exactly when to be disobedient and when it's the perfect time to swipe someone's food from the kitchen. She is Barack's sister and best friend, always dragging him into all sorts of mischief for the sake of a little adventure. But when she gets tired, she turns into the sweetest purring creature.
Csaba Spengler
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
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Csaba Spengler
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
csaba.spengler@novu.eu
I graduated with a degree in architecture from the Technical University in 2019. I have always been drawn to creation, whether it’s baking, cooking, architectural design, digital solutions, or community projects—truly anything from coding to construction camps. In recent years, I’ve felt that I can best fulfill my potential in programming, which is why I pursued further training in web development. I am currently working as a frontend developer for the Novu team from New Zealand. 
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Diána Vadász
BIM, GIS Modeler
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Diána Vadász
BIM, GIS Modeler
diana.vadasz@novu.eu
I am a civil engineering student at BME, active in the field of geoinformatics, specializing in BIM. By day, I create GIS and BIM models; by night, I'm working on assignments. I'm the only Gen Z in the office, fluent in both shapefiles and shitposts. My constant companion is Bodza, my four-legged motivational trainer.
Éva Anna Michelisz
Architect, MSc in Architecture
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Éva Anna Michelisz
Architect, MSc in Architecture
eva.michelisz@novu.eu
I graduated with a degree in architecture from BME and have been part of the NOVU team since 2019, where I’ve had the opportunity to work across a wide range of areas, from building surveys and design competitions to development projects and construction documentation. During my university years, I also began studying and working with graphic design. My hobby is analog photography, which helps me slow down and be present in the moment. I love observing my surroundings; I find inspiration in the hustle and bustle of the city just as much as in the quiet of the waterfront. I commute by bike and enjoy discovering new routes and observing the scenes that unfold along the way. Nature is my true escape, which is why I head into the woods whenever I can.
György Szabó
BIM Specialist, Civil Engineer
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György Szabó
BIM Specialist, Civil Engineer
gyorgy.szabo@novu.eu
I have been working in BIM management since 2019, specializing primarily in the coordination of the design phase. Over the years, I have worked on residential buildings, office complexes, and public facilities, always seeking the software solutions best suited to the task at hand. I earned my primary degree from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at BME, and later continued my studies as a BIM specialist. I am constantly training myself—I enjoy learning about new tools and systems so that I can support projects more efficiently and transparently. My daily work is usually accompanied by large amounts of coffee and loud heavy metal—these help me focus, especially when I am working on more complex tasks. For me, order and structure are not just virtues but fundamental principles—I consistently represent this in my workflows as well.
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Ilona C. Tóth
BIM Manager, MSc Architect
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Ilona C. Tóth
BIM Manager, MSc Architect
ilona.c.toth@novu.eu
After returning from abroad, I restarted my "old-new" life at NOVU (then known as Opinion Builders) on the first working day of 2018. I was already certain back then that I wanted to work with BIM, and it quickly became clear that I had arrived at the best possible place, not just in terms of BIM, but in every other respect as well. I was so captivated by the "OPI feeling" that only becoming a mother could interrupt it; currently, I am the project manager for my two little boys (or sometimes it's the other way around). I am interested in many areas, and I have dabbled in several directions within technical life and BIM, so I consider myself a multipotentialite. My BIM "favorites" are automation processes, data management and organization, and the world of material quantities and budgets. As a specialist engineer in monument preservation, I most enjoy tasks where the history, time, and layers of a past era can be reconstructed from the data. In my free time, I prefer to recharge with creative and active pursuits, such as the Legományozz project, which I launched with my colleague and friend Kati Avarkeszi. And since this is the place for a plug: facebook.com/legomanyozz
Imola Pápay-Langmár
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
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Imola Pápay-Langmár
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
imola.papay-langmar@novu.eu
I graduated from the five-year program at the Faculty of Architecture of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) in 2015. That same year, my career path led me to NOVU (then known as Opinion Builders). My current primary role is balancing life as a mother to three young children and one even younger.
Júlia Pokol DLA
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
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Júlia Pokol DLA
Architect, M.Sc. in Architecture
julia.pokol@novu.eu
I am Juli Pokol, an architect, researcher, and yoga instructor. I earned my architecture degree between 2013 and 2019 at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and the Politecnico di Milano. I have been a member of the NOVU team since 2020. As a doctoral candidate (DLA – Doctor of Liberal Arts) at the BME Faculty of Architecture, I conduct research and teach design courses to both Hungarian and international students. My doctoral project, titled "Zero Waste Collab," explores the architectural recycling of plastic waste, inspired by the Precious Plastic movement. I have volunteered for several organizations focused on sustainable building and housing, including the From Street to Housing Association, Critical Concrete in Porto, and Opolab. My architectural writings have been published in Metszet magazine, AMPS publications, and Építészfórum, focusing on architectural education, the work of young architects, and sustainability.
Katalin Avarkeszi
BIM Manager, M.Sc. Architect
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Katalin Avarkeszi
BIM Manager, M.Sc. Architect
katalin.avarkeszi@novu.eu
Architect, BIM manager, land surveyor, founding member of Legományozz, and a lindy hopper. Learn more about Legományozz here: facebook.com/legomanyozz
Lúcia Tóth
Investment Coordinator Assistant
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Lúcia Tóth
Investment Coordinator Assistant
lucia.toth@novu.eu
I have been working as an Office Manager and Investment Assistant at NOVU since 2022. My background is in recreation management and health promotion, so sports are a key part of my daily life. In my free time, I love traveling, photography, and hiking. As a girl from Lake Balaton, I have a deep love for the water, and I am the proud owner of over 100 pairs of shoes.
Márk Bacsa
BIM Engineer, MSc in Civil Engineering
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Márk Bacsa
BIM Engineer, MSc in Civil Engineering
mark.bacsa@novu.eu
Ever since I received my first LEGO set, I have known that I wanted to build and create. My first 386 computer showed me that the future lies in technology. I graduated from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics as a structural engineer, and I have always been interested in innovation and the opportunities provided by technology. Since 2016, I have worked on numerous digital solutions with the NOVU design office, which confirmed my belief that the future of the construction industry lies in technological advancement. I started with smaller tasks, but soon faced increasingly greater challenges. I combined my construction experience with my IT knowledge: first as a project manager, and today as a BIM expert and instructor, I focus on BIM management. My work is characterized by cheerfulness and a positive attitude; for me, every problem is just another challenge to be solved. I get my daily energy from punk and alternative rock—so it is quite possible you might run into me in the front row of a concert, still wearing my white shirt.
Máté Dollmayer
Investment Coordinator, MSc Civil Engineer
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Máté Dollmayer
Investment Coordinator, MSc Civil Engineer
mate.dollmayer@novu.eu
I graduated from BME in 2007 as a civil engineer, specializing in construction management within the structural engineering branch. Before and during university, through family connections, I was already involved in the reinforcement of bridge structures, specialized bridge connection components, and prestressed reinforced concrete structures. After a brief detour following university—where I worked on the design and construction of mounted facade cladding—my path led me back to bridges and prestressed reinforced concrete structures. I have been a member of the NOVU team since 2021.
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Nikoletta Vig
Executive Assistant
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Nikoletta Vig
Executive Assistant
nikoletta.vig@novu.eu
I earned my degree in business communication in 2012 and joined the NOVU team in 2018, where I currently support daily operations as an Executive Assistant. Precision and seamless collaboration are central to my work. Beyond my professional life, my most important role is being a mother; I spend most of my time with my young son. In my free time, I love to travel whenever I have the chance—discovering new places always recharges and inspires me.
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Orsolya Ménes-Rézmány
Architect, MSc in Architecture
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Orsolya Ménes-Rézmány
Architect, MSc in Architecture
orsolya.m-rezmany@novu.eu
I graduated from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in 2016 with a degree in architecture. Since then, I have primarily worked in architectural design, though I have always had a strong interest in interior design as well. I am most drawn to small- to medium-scale projects where I can be involved in every phase of the design process, from the initial concept to the interior details, ensuring the final result is a harmonious, well-considered whole. In my free time, I look for opportunities to unwind in nature—whether on foot or on two wheels. I also love gardening at home, which helps me slow down and recharge.
Pál Mészáros
Computational Design Expert
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Pál Mészáros
Computational Design Expert
pal.meszaros@novu.eu
I graduated as an architect from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in 2019, which is when my interest in programming first began. Initially, it was just a hobby, but over time, I started looking for ways to bridge the two fields. This led me to Barcelona for a Master’s degree in Biodigital Architecture, where I studied parametric modeling, digital fabrication technologies, and programming. I have been working here at NOVU as a computational design expert for four years now. My initial role was to support my colleagues' work through automation and internal tools. I have also been involved in BIM, architectural, and surveying projects using Python and Grasshopper. My role here has always been experimental and lab-like, but it is now gradually shifting toward product development and the creation of new services. I have learned a great deal from our internal projects, and it seems this knowledge is now taking on a marketable form. We are currently developing several tools in the form of web applications, though I cannot share more details about them just yet.
Peach
certified aesthetic engineer
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Peach
certified aesthetic engineer
hello@novu.eu
Barack the kitty is hungry for endless love and cuddles. He is an expert at meowing back whenever he disagrees with certain matters or is busy watching pigeons from the window. He is a true team player and Kávé’s best friend and partner in crime for every trash-can-tipping adventure. Without exaggeration, Barack’s fur is the softest surface in the entire office.
Tamás Cserepes
Investment Coordinator, MSc Civil Engineer
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Tamás Cserepes
Investment Coordinator, MSc Civil Engineer
tamas.cserepes@novu.eu
I graduated from BME in 2018 as a structural engineer. Since then, I have been working on the general construction of industrial and residential buildings, and I have also participated in several historical building renovations. In my free time, I ride motorcycles.
Zoltán Jánky
Managing Director, BIM Expert
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Zoltán Jánky
Managing Director, BIM Expert
zoltan.janky@novu.eu
I graduated as an architect from Ybl. I am a co-founder of NOVU Tervezőiroda Kft. (established in 2013 as Opinion Builders Kft.) and have served as its Managing Director since 2014. I have been working professionally with BIM since 2007. Early in my career, I worked on large-scale international projects, gaining experience in 3D BIM modeling, clash detection, and 4D simulations. This experience laid the foundation for my data-driven, practical, and systems-oriented approach to projects, which remains central to my work today. In recent years, I have primarily focused on guiding investors and real estate developers through BIM strategy development, implementation, and audits using an OpenBIM approach. My areas of expertise include defining project-specific, optimal BIM requirements, preparing and quality-assuring BIM content for CAFM systems, and applying CIM (integrating BIM and GIS) in major domestic projects. I am a regular and enthusiastic participant in construction industry events, where I draw inspiration from the knowledge shared by speakers and attendees—ranging from real estate developers and facility managers to interior designers—and you are very likely to run into me there. My motto is inspired by Marcel Breuer: "Modern architecture is not a style, but an attitude." For me, BIM is also a mindset: a continuous evolution toward higher quality and a more sustainable construction industry.