Duna Aréna, Budapest

Architects: Marcel Ferencz, György Détári 
Text: Bálint Botzheim
Photos: Tamás Bujnovszky 

Sports as ancient integral parts of European culture clearly preserve the values of the classic Greco-Roman era. The relentless and devoted search of ideas, the ambition to find the perfect forms of motion are tendencies that are also present in the highest levels of architectural thinking.

The clear-cut geometry of the Duna Aréna was originally completed for the swimming world championship of the FINA held in 2017. The disposition of the building was defined by the ambition to adjust it to the river Danube. The longitudinal axis of the structure runs perpendicular to the riverbank. The block containing the swimming-pool for races and diving stands as a bridge-head on the side facing the Danube, whilst the main building behind it recedes inward like a wave washing the bank. The latter houses the pools for warm-up and swimming courses, and also houses the row of spaces at the entrance. The form of the building as well as the structure evokes an archetype: the grid roofing resting on four strut mounts is a basic formula of industrial architecture, which is also one of the most rational structures. The contours of the main building cast towards the street creates a generous awning towards the street. We can have a look inside the foyer through the curtain walls. Spaces flowing into one another feature the interior of the Aréna. The central skylight impresses us as if we were looking upward from below a body of water. The changing lights of its folding surface evoke the spectacular playfulness of light filtering through water. An important element of the spatial configuration is the visual axis which corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the building perpendicular to the Danube. The system of great stands has a seating capacity of 15,000 spectators at present. After the world championship the temporary structures of the great stand shall be demolished so that the swimming complex shall have a capacity of 6,000 people. The exterior design of the building is defined by grey folded aluminium sheet. Although this material is primarily meant for industrial uses, the Duna Aréna proves that a house can be turned into a jewel box by professional hands.

General architecture: Napur Architect Kft.
Architects: Marcel Ferencz DLA, György Détári DLA
General design:  Tecton Kft
Fellow leading architect: Béla Varga 
Fellow architect, project: István Fodor 
Fellow architects: Ákos Pindes, Tamás Ükös
Structure: László Gábor Szántó 
HVAC: Norbert Pilz 
Electrical engineering: Zoltán Ivanics 
Fire alarm network: Zoltán Ivanics 
Public utilities: Attila Bíró 
Electrical public utilities: Gábor Pendli
Roads, traffic: Klára Macsinka
Landscape, garden design: István Steffler 
Audiovisual technology: Balázs Magos 
Pool technology: Zoltán Sallai 
Sports technology: Márta Zékány 
Fire protection: Lajos Horváth 
Acoustics: Róbert Csott 
Building control: László Harmath 
Interiors: Gábor Szokolyai – MCXVI Kft
Design elements: MOME
Client: Magyar Nemzeti Vagyonkezelő Zrt.
Main contractor: Market Építő Zrt.