Local Farmers’ Market, Bercel

Architects: Zoltán Kovács, Nóra Ostoróczky
Text: Norbert Szilágyi
Photos: Balázs Danyi

In the summer of 2020, the Municipality of Bercel commissioned the designers of the project to create a new market place that would adjust to both the scales and architectural character of the village whilst also providing a venue for events other than market days. The demolition of a former family house left a vacant lot as a void within the fabric of the village, which has now been filled with a new building with a thousand links to the place and its architectural traditions. The designers’ basic concept was to keep the retail outlets to a minimum proportion on a relatively small plot in the heart of the village, so that the remaining space could also be used as a venue for other community events. Drawing on the historical layers of the site, and taking into account local features and characteristics, the positioning of the square was determined, and the new market building was constructed on the site of the former house. A meeting place with a wide variety of facilities was created under a continuous, characteristic roof. The main functions were positioned along the central axis, creating a sort of internal porch on both sides. The building has been divided into three sections, with semi-storey off-sets, the first two of which house the retail spaces, while the third one contains the social block. The shifts and differences between the levels of the various sections are bridged by stairs running along the two edges of the building and barrier-free walkways.

Senior architect: Zoltán Kovács – kollektív studio
Architect: Nóra Ostoróczky
Structure: Zoltán V. Nagy – Lapidárium Engineering, Attila Dési
Electrical engineering: Péter Major – Major Projekt
HVAC: Ambrus Molnár
Fire protection: Endre Illés – Fire Protection Expert Office
Client: Municipality of Bercel