MÉSZ–MÉK Diploma Award 2016

Concept and text: Áron Lality

The design revives the turn-of-the-century building of the baths complex in Subotica, a town in Serbia formerly belonging to Hungary, whilst retaining its original functions. A few years ago several interventions have taken place in this town, which actually endangered the buildings of historic significance. Unfortunately, many of them have been pulled down only to be replaced with blocks of flats that are still being built today. The scheme was a kind of response able to convincingly show that the first idea does not necessarily have to be that of demolition. The essence of the concept is to heighten the impressions and emotions one experiences when making a tour of the site so that they can permeate both the exterior and the interior of the building.