Makó, Municipal Thermal and Adventure Baths Complex

Text: Judit Gerencsér

The image of the town of Makó is fundamentally defined by the architecture of Imre Makovecz, thanks to its management back in those days. The magical architectural complex named Hagymatikum stands out even among the architect’s other completed buildings with its conceptuality, richness of thoughts, and, we can now say, the summary of his ars poetica. Imre Makovecz’s largest work, which aptly sums up the essence of his art, was realized in the very heart of Makó, on the site of the old spa and open-air baths. The ensemble can be divided into three distinct parts: the adventure bath, the wellness center, and the spa. These main groups are complemented by the children’s play world and the restaurant building. The attractive dome roof of the lobby is enclosed by towers on both sides. The spa complex, which was opened in 2012, was largely completed, but it was not until 2016 that it became possible to complete the remaining parts of the structure. The MAKONA architectural firm, managed by Makovecz’s students, was commissioned to do this work, and the project was designed by architect Judit Gerencsér.

Client: Municipality of Makó
General planning: MAKONA Ltd.
Lead architects: Judit Gerencsér
Co-architect: Márton Tóth
Fellow architects: Imre Balázs Arnóczki, Tamás Bálint, Diána Cziráki-Mike, Mátyás Fridrik, Enikő Gyetvay, Tamás Rüll, Ákos Szepesi, Szabolcs Szilágyi, Réka Vidovics, Viktor Zacher
Structure: László Pongor, Péter Donáczi – POND Engineers
HVAC: László Szalóky – Kristály Klíma Plusz
Electrical engineering: Dávid Sándor – SDesign Electric
Interiors: Csaba Jakab DLA – Hét-fő Ltd.
Water mechanics: Zoltán Nyeste – GP-T
Fire protection: Lajos Horváth
Environment rehabilitation: Ágota Ruttkay-Miklián
Outdoor public utilities, roads: Erzsébet Bombolya – Deltaterv
Medical and kitchen technology: Gábor Finta – Egészség Tervező Műhely
Garden, landscape: Mónika Buella – Tájrajz Tájépítész Ltd.
Elevator: Zsolt Makovsky – Makovsky and Co.
Sculptures: István Vanyúr
Soul mechanics: János Hopka – Út-tal