First impressions are everything, as they say, and what better way to make a dramatic impact than with a grand entrance? Throughout history, the greatest artists and architects of all time have known that a spectacular doorway, gate or structure can set the tone for one’s entire experience of a place.

With this in mind, the grand entrance to our certified organic farm in Hungary was designed under the careful leadership of 2015 Landscape Architect of the Year Gábor Szűcs, along with our award-winning team and the Eminence Organic Skin Care family.

It is our pleasure to share a few of the spectacular details and hidden treasures within its structure!

Give It Purpose

More than just an entryway, a grand entrance should serve a purpose which aligns with the function and mission of the venue you are about to explore. At over 18-feet tall, the “grand” in the Eminence Organics certified organic farm grand entrance is truly a “proud and soaring thing”. Made from carved local woods, traditional clay tile, green-certified natural plasters and hand-carved iron from local artisans, the details are designed to manifest and embody our company’s mission, as well as create anticipation, awe and wonder.

Give It Surprise

If you look closely at the circles which align the upper edge of the wood carved frame, just underneath the classic Hungarian red clay tiles, you’ll see the beaks and heads of little birds making their nests. These are actually intended to serve as bird houses! Our feathered friends bring the grand entrance to life. You’ll hear the whistles of larks and starlings and the gentle cooing of doves as our farm’s background music. This brings delight and happiness to our visitors, eliciting oohs and aaahs as they cross the threshold. A symphony of mutual appreciation.

Give It Meaning

In addition to function, adding symbolism to an entrance can elevate the design from practical to celebratory. Symbols have been incorporated into architecture throughout history as a form of communicating stature, beliefs, dreams and superstitions. A grand entrance should contain a sense of ceremony and greater meaning, preparing us for what awaits within.

According to traditional beliefs, the more sun motifs you have at your farm, the sunnier your farm will be! In Hungarian mythology, the major celestial bodies, (the Sun and the Moon), are located in the “Upper World”. The sky was thought to be a big tent held up by the Tree of Life. The several holes in it are the stars. If you look down at our fun “map doodle” you may recognize the Tree of Life shape reflected by the entire farm!

Throughout the many materials making up our grand entrance, you’ll find many symbols for the sun. These circles are an ancient Hungarian symbol representing… sunflowers! Sunflowers absorb and reflect the golden rays of the sun. At Eminence Organic Skin Care, we include sunflower oil in our Citrus Lip Balm to help make lips look voluptuous and youthful. Used as symbols upon our grand entrance, these sunflower carvings invite and encourage the sun to beam upon the Eminence Organic farm (also encouraging us to protect our skin, of course).

Give It Personality

A grand entrance should reflect the style and personality of the inhabitants. An “architectural anthropologist” such as Gábor Szűcs studies and understands the people and places they inhabit, and incorporates this into the design. Like a beautiful dramatic outfit, the grand entrance is a reflection of you! When you stand in the doorway, you should complete the image like a beautiful painting.

The Eminence Organics grand entrance is decorated with specific symbols and shapes, all intended with the Eminence Organic Skin Care design aesthetic in mind. It is naturally elegant, precise, refined, dramatically simple and pure like tulip motif which holds a special place in our history. While the tulip is not an indigenous flower to Hungary, it has been used for centuries to represent bounty and abundance throughout the countryside. The white tulip represents purity, peace and tranquility.

Give It Stability & Strength

Above all, a grand entrance must stand the test of time. It must be built to outlast the builder. Boldijarre Koronczay, the president of Eminence Organics, wanted to construct a landmark for his country of origin which would serve generations to come, therefore we had to build the grand entrance with the strongest, most durable materials on Earth.

The Earth’s interior is composed of four layers, three solid and one liquid—not magma but molten metal, nearly as hot as the surface of the sun. The deepest layer is a solid iron ball, about 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) in diameter. Although this inner core is white hot, the pressure is so high the iron cannot melt.

Imagine how fun it was to design the custom iron door handle, turning the simple act of opening a gate into a symbol of Earth’s greatest strength and innermost balance. Who can resist sneaking a peek through the keyhole, imagining the secret garden adventures that lie within…

For each hand that rests upon the handle to the grand entrance, you are literally invited to hold the center of the Earth in your palm, and feel its strength as you step into our garden.

Your Turn to Explore & Celebrate: Where Will You Go Next?

Eminence Organic Skin Care welcomes you with open arms to enter through the grand entrance and explore and celebrate our ingredients and features! If we have succeeded in setting the tone, the grand entrance is truly just the beginning of your journey with us. Once inside, you can go where your curiosity leads you – perhaps to the lily pond, grape press, water well, or lángos ovens? Or perhaps you’ll meander through the lavender and chamomile and come see how organic ingredients grow. Of course, you may wish to see how Eminence Organics utilizes these vital and powerful organic ingredients in our skincare products, or discover your favorite local spa where you can indulge and receive a first-hand experience.

The adventure and journey are yours to create. On behalf of everyone at Eminence Organic Skin Care, welcome to our farm… Or, Üdvözöljük in Hungarian!

We’d love to hear about your favorite discoveries of the Eminence Certified Organic Farm and what you love the most in comments below. As always, join the conversation on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | G+