NIIFI Superb Computer Centre, University of Debrecen

Architect: Marcel Ferencz
Text: Zorán Vukoszávlyev
Photos: Tamás Bujnovszky

The Campus along Kassai Road is the site of the developments affecting the University of Debrecen at the grandest scale as it has been extended by yet another building here. The structure built to house superb computers has been erected next to DEM (Sustainable Building Energetics Information Centre). Besides sharing the same designer in charge of the projects, future-conscious research-house programmes are maintained simultaneously to complement each other which is the reason why this type of concentrated development needs re-assessment. The home of this computer centre (as well as the infrastructure working in it) forms an integral part of a huge network which it also uses. The National Institute of Information Infrastructure Development has shown achievements which are significant for global standards worldwide as they are new milestones concerning the systems sustained by research work in Hungary. Designer Marcel is actually building a new variation with this architectural object: the new house has the same floor area as the former structure but its scale has been defined in the third dimension by a facade wall. Whilst the former house evolved its forms in their entirety, now the functions filling the semi-cube fail to give a whole cube form and as a result, it is only the main facade view which integrates them to visually impress us with the belongingness of its components. The same kind of tension is maintained by the closed character of the two-storey structure and the blade wall rising high next to it. The unadorned simplicity of the facade wall represents a kind of neutral architecture with its light and airy and yet sculpturesque forms.

Architecture: Napur Architect Kft.
Leading architect: Marcel Ferencz DLA
Fellow architect: György Détári DLA
Structure: Ferenc Pap
HVAC: Géza Porosz
Electrical engineering: Zoltán Ivanics – Provill Kft.
Main contractor: Nádép Kft.