ÚJPALOTA, COMMUNITY CENTER, MAIN SQUARE

Our concept emphasizes that the area can only become a vital center to its neighborhood if its urban characteristics are strengthened, its uses become multifunctional, these functions gain a broader spatial influence, while the square itself and the surrounding buildings become local landmarks.

Besides the broad spectrum of functions this multifunctional space has to offer, its ability to host events, exhibitions of different scales and types in different seasons is also essential. It is intended that the inhabitants are able to freely form the square into scenes of their unique social, artistic and cultural life.

The spatial influence of the square grows along with the enrichment of functions and the improvement of quality and therefore attracts a wider, more diverse social crowd. The diversification of the city’s aging population by attracting younger age groups was a fundamental, long term design intent.

The square and the facing buildings become landmarks that anyone easily recognizes. The community house and the square turn into a new entity, that inhabitants can claim their own - a space to express their emotions, personality and goals.

2011

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Design competition,
 - purchased proposal

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Client: Budapest, Municipality of District XV.

Architect: László Csízy

Size: 21 000 m2

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MÓRICZ ZSIGMOND CIRCUS

Móricz Zsigmond Circus is one of the most important traffic nodes of Újbuda. It is an intersection of a great number of tram and bus routes, and - since spring 2014 - has also become a station of Metro Line 4.

Design work of the Circus started in 2001 as part of Metro Line 4 project, and resulted in the reconstruction of arched green spaces and numerous passenger underpasses around the famous ‘Mushroom’ building.

In the 13-year period, both the client’s needs and the infrastructural concept changed considerably. Besides aiming to create harmony between facades of various styles, the square also provides a new, safe passenger surface, a pleasant open space to spend time on, surrounded and intersected by attractive green surfaces. The new dark shade pavestone is the integrating force of this many-sided architectural environment, which functions more than just a passage to those walking in the area. We used materials with low reflexive features to make the space receptive, while the modest architecture of the covering provides a link between the ‘Mushroom’ Building and other destinations within and from the circus. The composition of red, large sized plant containers provide a playful, vivid experience.

The square has considerable passenger traffic at present, however, the new design allows not only passing but relaxation, observation and meeting as well. It is transparent and modest. It meets the various requirements of a big city.

2009-2012

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Open space design
- construction plan

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Client: DBR Metro Project Directorate

Lead designer: Főmterv – Palatium – Uvaterv konzorcium

Contractor: Swietelsky Építő Kft.

Size: 11 500 m2

Estimated cost: 330 000 000 HUF

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DÁNSZENTMIKLÓS, CITY CENTER

Our main design intent was to create spatial foundations for social, economic, and environmental growth in Dánszentmiklós. The reconstruction of built and natural elements of the square increases life quality in its immediate surroundings, and therefore attracts high quality services that take this growth even further towards functional diversification. Another intent of our spatial design concept was to establish individual square-segments where cultural life can take over and flourish in open space. We avoided enforcing specific uses on these public areas, and aimed to provide a transformable setting for various recreational and cultural activities.

2010

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Open space design
- construction plan

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Client: Municipality of Dánszentmiklós

Size: 11 200 m2

Estimated cost: 40 000 000 HUF

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PEDEST FEST 2018

Three of our colleagues, Tímea Kriston, Orsolya Orbán and Lilla Szilágyi, together with Transport Engineer Áron Bede, have come up with a reimagined functional concept for Rákóczi Road, questioning the currently sole transportational use of the centermost of Budapest. The road between Blaha Lujza Square and Erzsébet Bridge is transformed into a public space within the framework of a "Summer Festival", which hosts café and food terraces, sunbeds, stages, concert venues, and interconnected green spaces in the currently homogeneous concrete scenery of Rákóczi Road.

The highlighted, iconic element of the project is Elisabeth Bridge, a truly unique and atmospheric incomparable with any other location throughout Europe becomes a host to concerts and venues. For one summer, we could enjoy a 360 ° panoramic view of the UNESCO heritage Danube waterfront from the catering terraces of Elisabeth Bridge.

Our concept received a Special Mention at the ’Innovational competition for young engineers’ hosted by the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers.

2017

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Idea Competition
- special mention

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Client: Hungarian Chamber of Engineers

Size: 74 300 m2

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RÁKOSPALOTA, CITY CENTER

As part of our concept, the free-formed yet guided lines of the main square are gradually calmed as we arrive to the grand mass of the church. Behind the church, a sport promenade creates connection to the main square. Sculptures of renowned athletes placed alongside the promenade accompany the passer-by, as a reminder of past encounters, perseverance and successes.

The diagonal axis is represented by a walkway that leads to a gate, surrounded by an imposing arrangement of buildings. The natatorium and the sports center frame an inner outdoor piazza with several sports fields. There is a colonnade guiding the piazza along its 4th side, adjacent to the football pitch. The repetitive structure of the seating area contains toilets and kiosks, both indispensable elements of football stadiums. The VIP area can be optionally extended in the future, the shared lounge area opens directly from the sport piazza. The frame structure currently expands above the seating area, but can be extended or modified at any further phase of construction. The changing and maintenance rooms are located inside the stadium’s head building, which also houses a wellness-fitness center as part of a complex spatial network.

For the match to go undisturbed, the stadium has a solid façade on ground level, while the upper corridor – also serving as a viewing gallery – has a glazed one. The natatorium communicates with glazed walls to both sides, allowing an open view to the inner sports piazza and the outer park. The school is linked to this sports complex through a covered corridor. As it is not advised to block diagonal passage on ground level, this connecting corridor rises above – stands on its own feet shortly after exiting the building. Czabán Samu park is intensely linked to the functions of the sports complex - running tracks, extreme sports fields, climbing walls, trampolines, and pools are at the disposal of local sports enthusiasts.

The promenade linking the units of the sports complex ends by the corner of the church where the new community hall and playhouse are being constructed. This hall will provide space for residential discussions, and potentially become a landmark of local cooperation and unity.

2012

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Design competition

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Client: Municipality of District XV., Budapest

Architect: László Csízy, András Borbély

Road design: Balázs Ercsényi (Főmterv)

Visualization: János Kiss (VR Works)

Size: 280 200 m2

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INTERLACED TRAMWAY NETWORK

The greatest investment for Budapest in 2015 was the establishment of the Interlaced Tramway Network of Buda. The aim of the project was to create a traffic link between Northern and Southern Buda that has been missing for decades. Instead of Tram 17, there are altogether three tram routes operating along Bécsi Street and Frankel Leó Street: Tram 19, 41 and 61. Two tracks are constructed next to each other under Margaret Bridge as if they were interlaced the- hence the name of the investment.

The tramway adjoins several squares which were also renewed and reconstructed within the framework of this project. The design area includes the square bordered by Bem Embankment, the southern part of Germanus Gyula Park, parts of Frankel Leó Street and Török Street. The project also covered the complex spatial design for Zsigmond Square and the area between Zsigmond Square and Nagyszombat Street.

The reconstruction of all these public spaces provided a possibility to determine a uniform image, which we aim to serve as a basis for similar traffic investments in Budapest in the future. With the Interlaced Tramway Network of Buda implemented, Buda has not only been equipped with an efficient transport network but a number of renewed public squares as well.

2014-2015

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Open space design final construction drawing

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Client: Centre for Budapest Transport

Lead designer: Főmterv Zrt.

Visualization: János Kiss (VR Works)

Size: 30 000 m2

Estimated cost: 520 000 000 HUF

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The Flame of Revolution monument

The Flame of the Revolution monument was completed on October 23, 1996 from black granite, designed by Mária Lugossy. A monolithic gas pipeline and a burning head provide flame that flares up the flue gas throughout the year, between November 23rd and November 4th it flares up in intervals. The installation stood on Kossuth Square in Budapest for many years, until the square’s reconstruction brought about the dismantling of the sculpture as well. Our client designated Nagy Imre Square in District II. to be the monument’s new location.

As part of our landscape design concept, the monument stands parallel to Fő Street, thus turning towards passing people on the street, while its positioning is also perpendicular to the center axis of the avant-corps of Fogház. The square we designed for the sculpture is covered with light-colored limestone paving, which serves as a venue for events and memorial gatherings. We installed limestone bands between the sidewalk and the memorial space to mark the transition, also incorporating ribbons of lawn and a bespoke wooden bench. For an aesthetically pleasing result, the renewal of asphalt is also required in one section of the sidewalk.

We planted groundcover, flowering perennials and ornamental grasses that enclose the square from three sides. Two additional trees were also planted to increase decorative value and shadow surfaces. In order to avoid visual conflicts, the existing dog run area and the car parks are barricaded by a half meter hedge.

South to the monument we imagined a larger, meadow-like lawn, where ginkgo saplings were replanted into a raster system. Even though the area is already covered by lawn, the renewal of soil, and the construction of an automated irrigation system are indispensable to create a worthy environment for the monument.

2016

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Open space design
- construction plan

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Client: Hungarian National Assembly

Size: 426 m2

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