Reconstruction and Extension of Normafa Ski House, Budapest

Architect: Levente Szabó
Text: László Vincze
Photos: Balázs Danyi

Normafa is considered by many to be the very birthplace of the Hungarian skiing scene. The first significant ski slope in Hungary was opened here in 1919, so some 105 years have passed since then. In May 2013, the District Council commissioned an impact assessment document for the rehabilitation of the Normafa Park historic sports zone. This comprehensive study laid the foundations for the developments taking place in the past ten years, the most recent of which being the renovation and extension project of the Ski House from 1930s. The plan contained the restoration of the building, which has been transformed several times, to its original form, whilst adding a brand new pavilion structure, opening up the glazed main façade terrace, inserting a new opening in the rear façade as well as reorganising the functional spaces. The pavilion, which is linked to the old building via a glazed corridor, was added directly next to the pedestrian promenade. A new „aura” of space was thus created between the two volumes. The new terraces surrounding the pavilion restore the view of the Normafa slope, connecting the landscape, the passers-by and the building. The interior design of the listed building is well in keeping with the style of the 1930s, and the transition to the new design was also masterfully achieved by the designers.

Client: Budapest Municipality of 12th District
General plans: Hetedik Műterem
Co-architects: Studio Konstella
Leading architects: Levente Szabó DLA, András Bartha DLA
Fellow architects: István Gyulovics DLA, Katalin Alkér DLA, Szilvia Tóth
Interiors: Hetedik Műterem, Studio Konstella, Mtenga Bianca, Réka Bagota
Structure: Dezső Hegyi Dr, Tamás Ther Dr
Framework: Gábor Schreiber, Dávid Lengyel, Dániel Sipeki – S-4 Engineering
HVAC: Ildikó Cser, Zoltán Vajda – Cser & Cser Engineering
Electrical engineering: József Sápi – Orfireusz
Lightning protection: László Messerer – Messvill
Lights: Ferenc Haász, Orsolya Reinisch – Made by Light
Acoustics: Gusztáv Józsa, Imre Sebő – Józsa és Társai 2000
Fire protection: Gabriella Pukánszky – Nokesy Design
Landscape: Tamás Billing, Réka Bancsy, Zsuzsanna Szalay-Szakály, Borbála Vidacs – PLAN-T Field Design
Graphics: Ákos Polgárdi
Main contractor: Archibona