Shopmark Shopping Centre, Budapest

Architect: András Tibor Kertész, Tamás Tóth
Text: László Mikó
Photos: Tamás Bujnovszky

As of today, shopping centres have a lifetime of 15-20 years on average regarding both their market values and technical standards that quickly start to deteriorate. After reaching that age they are typically sold, renewed, or remodelled. Inaugurated in 1990, Europark has reached this stage of its existence right now. Being remodelled, it has been given the name Shopmark. A row of new columns supporting a projecting roof has been built in front of the new main entrance, which is a proportionate and ceremonious prelude to the function of the building, also providing access to the new two-storey atrium. On the longitudinal facade, the existing wall panels are painted black, and a white PVC-clad row of lamellas have been equipped in front of them, which is both a witty and cost-efficient solution. An outstanding value of the reconstruction project is the deliberate choice of monochrome colours and materials, which allows to completely evolve the colourful world of products and commercials on both the exterior surfaces and the interiors. The interiors feature several former architectural components of the structure reshaped, which enhances the aesthetics of the space to a great extent.

Lead architects: András Tibor Kertész, Tamás Tóth – Avant-Garde Stúdió
Architect: Zsombor Acsády
Assistant architects: Dániel B. Tóth, Ildikó Boholy, Ildikó Nemes, Tamás Szász
Interior design: István Szenes, István Popovics – Sezenes Design Stúdió
Structure: CAEC Kft.
Electrical engineering: Hungaroprojekt Kft.
HVAC: G&B Plan Kft.
Landscape: Sarolta Torma – Land-A Kft.
Client: Euro-Mall Ingatlanbefektetési Kft.
Project management: TKC Europe