Preserving Heritage,
Building Community
About the Association
Pyrus Association was established in 2025 by Adam Ragab, guided by a mission to study, promote and revitalize rural heritage.
We work to support the revival and sustainable renewal of the built, cultural, and natural heritage of villages and rural areas. We believe that the knowledge and values inherited from past generations can serve as a foundation for meaningful, future-oriented development—creating vibrant communities where tradition and innovation coexist.
Our aim is to identify and rediscover the unique strengths and competitive edge of rural areas in a contemporary context—and to study, promote, and revitalize these features in ways that are both authentic and future-oriented.
Our approach is grounded in collaboration: we engage with local communities, facilitate public discussions, and involve professionals—such as architects, historians, and experts in the built environment—with particular experience in rural Transylvania.
How We Make a Difference
Built Environment
We support the rehabilitation, restoration and revitalization of the built environment and heritage – from residential homes and farm buildings to public and commercial structures. Our work also includes the preservation of historical monuments, heritage transport, and local infrastructure, ensuring these assets remain integral part of rural life. We promote the preservation of traditional architectural heritage while encouraging methods that respond to contemporary needs.
Culture
We seek to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage. Activities include supporting local arts, traditional music and dance, folklore, and community events that strengthen identity. By connecting past traditions with present creativity, we help communities maintain cultural continuity and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Biodiversity & Sustainable Agriculture
We promote biodiversity and the safeguarding of traditional agricultural practices by supporting the cultivation of heritage crops and local varieties, encouraging ecological farming, and establishing educational initiatives like school orchards. Our goal is to link sustainability with identity and food security.
Craftsmanship & Entrepreneurship
We empower local artisans and entrepreneurs by supporting traditional crafts and encouraging the creation and growth of small rural and social enterprises, stimulating local economies and preserving valuable know-how.
Networking & Public Awareness
We build bridges between individuals, institutions, and communities committed to the revitalization of rural heritage. This includes fostering active networks, developing rural and launching awareness campaigns through publications, events, and digital platforms.
Community Involvement & Education
We organize studies, workshops, and educational events on topics such as rural heritage, biodiversity, and traditional craftsmanship. Special attention is given to engaging disadvantaged groups and national minorities, ensuring that heritage remains inclusive and accessible. Many of these programs are designed for both local and international audiences.
Sustainable Tourism
We promote sustainable and responsible tourism by highlighting authentic rural experiences—traditional guesthouses, local gastronomy, cultural and natural landmarks, and the richness of rural lifestyles. Our goal is to create tourism that benefits communities while preserving the very heritage that makes them unique.
Our Journey
Establishment
Following extensive consultations and planning, Pyrus Association was established to support and revitalise rural heritage through vernacular architecture, sustainable agriculture, and community-focused development.
Abod Retreat Launch
Abod Retreat, located in Transylvania, becomes the Pyrus Association's first flagship project, combining sustainable tourism with built heritage.
Members of the Board
Adam Ragab
Founder and ChairmanFounder and Chairman of INTBAU Hungary, Adam is a built-environment professional with an urban design and real estate background, with over 10 years international management experience. He has worked for global and regional consultancies like Colliers, led the regional expansion of a real estate and engineering boutique consultancy firm in the SEE/CEE region and initiated and managed rural rehabilitation and urban-scale projects in Romania and Montenegro.
He has a special interest in vernacular architecture and heritage developments as well as sustainable agriculture. Adam is fluent in three languages, holds an MRes degree in Urban Design and has been a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) since 2013.
Ildiko Marton
Managing DirectorIldiko Marton is a qualified architect with extensive experience in heritage conservation and rural development. She brings hands-on expertise in the documentation, survey, and rehabilitation of traditional built environments, and plays a key role in coordinating the Association's programmes and field activities.
Bill Parker
Board MemberA graduate of Oxford University, Bill has 40 years experience in real estate valuation, initially in the United States and later throughout Europe and around the world, specialising in challenging, complex and difficult valuations.
Reportedly Britain's leading expert on the restoration of Victorian steam locomotives, he has been the buyer of last resort of several under-appreciated buildings in Britain, including Gunns Mill, now recognised as the oldest largely complete charcoal blast furnace in Europe, and the Geen Crown in Dealu Frumos, Romania – now recognized as one of the masterpieces of talented Saxon architect, Fritz Balthez, who died tragically young.
Zoltan Szabo
Project Manager & FounderWith a background spanning real estate, refurbishment, business development, and IT innovation, Zoltán Szabó contributes to the Pyrus Association's mission of rural revitalisation through a combination of practical insight and forward-looking thinking. His experience in property improvement and operational development supports the rehabilitation of built heritage in ways that are both functional and sensitive to local identity. Alongside this, his work on AI-powered tools and digital solutions helps strengthen organisational efficiency, enabling sustainable, community-oriented projects to grow with long-term impact.