The New Service Building of Petőfi Theatre in Veszprém

Architects: Ferenc Potzner, Gábor Martin
Text: Eszter Götz
Photos: Krisztina Ancza

In 2016, the theatre of Veszprém was given the opportunity for a comprehensive renovation project within the framework of the Modern Cities programme. Last renovated in the late 1980s after designs by Péter Szendrő, the building designed by István Medgyaszay, as Europe’s first reinforced concrete theatre, and was last remodelled in 1908 to house a variety of social events. The renovation was delayed by two years, but the first stage of the project involved the completion of an imposing ensemble created by renovating two old school buildings opposite the theatre, which came to function as the theatre’s service building accommodating all the functions that had been cramped in the existing building in a crowded low-ceilinged and poorly lit space. The two-building ensemble proved to be an excellent choice for the theatre functions, with a spacious box office at the street front, a new rehearsal space upstairs made complete with offices, sewing rooms, storage space and a new recording studio.

Client: Municipality of Veszprém, BMSK Ltd
General planning: KÖZTI, TSPC
Leading architect: Ferenc Potzner
Architects: Ferenc Potzner, Gergely Patak – KÖZTI, Gábor Martin – MS-Műtermek
Interiors: Ádám Potzner
Structure: Antal Ther – TherRA
HVAC: László Petrika – Thermo-Consult
Stage technology, elevators: Péter Schramm – Animative
Acoustics: Andor Tamás Fürjes
Landscape: Sándor Mohácsi – S73
Main contractors: VEMÉV-SZER Építő, Swietelsky Magyarország