DHL Centre, Ferihegy

Architects: Béla Bánáti, Gabriella Hoffman, Zoltán Nyirati
Text: Bálint Botzheim
Photos: Zoltán Vass

Budapest Airport published an invitational tender in February, 2010 to utilize three unused areas of Liszt Ferenc Airport by integrating business, commercial and logistic functions. The would-be business park with its commercial functions will be made a genuinely humane one by its design including an urban spatial sequence, landscaped public domains, promenades and bodies of water. DHL Hungary chose this location primarily because of its exceptional transport faculties. The permission plan was made by adjusting to the needs of the client and relying upon the results of a study. In summer, 2013 the whole ensemble was ready and taken over to be used, containing a 7,800 square metre store hall and 3,000 square metre of offices to serve the now integrated branches of air and road transportation functions of the company. The northwestern part of the site is occupied by an enormous lane for lorry manoeuvres, whilst the southeastern side is used as a parking area. The monotony of the facade which is more than 100 metre long is softened by four stairways. Their attics adhere to the side of the building with their curved facades like arched clamps. The design of the stairways may be interpreted as a kind of fifth facade, which is indeed justified here. Simultaneously, with their bent and ribbed facade textures they evoke the curved roofing of Sky Court Hall, the extension of terminal No. 2. The larger part of the two-span hall structure is 30 metre, whilst the smaller one is 15 metre wide. The latter contains two storeys. The ground-floor – joined by the larger hall part – mainly functions as a manipulation space and rooms here are only grouped around the main staircases. The upper floor houses offices.
The past few years saw high-standard developments associated with the airport. In 2011 the extension of Ferihegy 2A-B terminal was completed, whilst Sky Court, the air-traffic control centre was ready in 2012. The architecture of the new centre is adjusted to the high standards set by the former projects to reach beyond the bleakness of the facilities of logistics.

Leading architect: Béla Bánáti
Architect: Gabriella Hoffman, Zoltán Nyirati
Structure: Zsolt Gyuris – Gyuris 2000 Mérnökiroda Kft.
HVAC: Zoltán Hivessy – Körös Consult Kft.
Electrical engineering: Gábor Nagy – Yurosignal Kft.
Public utilities: Géza Hobl – Közműterv Kft.
Roads: Ádám Rhorer – Közlekedés Kft.
Main contractor: Market Zrt.