Festetics-Palace and Szemző Mansion, Kőszeg

Architect: Robert Gutowski
Text: Tamás Fejérdy
Photos: Tamás Bujnovszky

These two historic buildings reconstructed in one project in Kőszeg are Festetics Palace and Szemző Mansion. What is the reason why we may consider the recently finished reconstructions of two significant structure different in so many respects, such as style, period, location, orientation, the social status of their original clients, etc. as one and the same thing? Both are unique projects that have brand new concepts and contents, unique implementations that reach far beyond the individual treatment of buildings in a town abundant in actual historic buildings and historic monuments. Founded in 1994, ISES Foundation formed the framework for the KRAFT project and phrased the theoretical programme for a novelty methodology for its local, or more precisely, regional, sustainable development. The project has already reconstructed and restored some more historic buildings of iconic significance, and this was the example to be followed when the two buildings mentioned here were also renewed now.

Lead architect: Robert Gutowski – Robert Gutowski Architects Kft.
Architects: Gáspár Bollók, Barnabás Dely-Steindl, Hunor László Kovács, Gergely Lőricz, Csongor Mizser, Béla Ákos Szokolay
Scientific documentation: Péter Ivicsics, Dr. Andrea Haris, László Bíró (Szemző-ház), Klára Mentényi, AnikóBottyán, Éva Mulasicsné Nagy, Beatrix Bán (Festetics-palota)
Framework: Sándor Horváth, Gergely Tombi
Timber protection: Péter Nyáry
Structure: dr. Miklós Armuth, dr. Dezső Hegyi, Kata Gász
Soil mechanics: Balázs Móczár
HVAC: László Lakner
Electrical engineering: Dóra Kolb
Fire protection: Szabolcs Bertók, Ferenc Mikus
Client: Magyar Nemzeti Vagyonkezelő Zrt.
Main contractor: Pécsi Építő és Tatarozó Zrt. (Szemző-ház), Mega-Logistic Zrt. (Festetics-palota)
Project management: Braedepto Kft.
Owner: iASK