The Reconstruction of the City Hall in Buda, Budapest

Architect: Levente Szabó
Text: Tamás Dévényi
Photos: Balázs Danyi

After architectural changes launched in the past few years, the Castle District of Buda started the reconstruction of the old City Hall which is a genuine curiosity: it has preserved its conditions in the wake of the winning entry in the contest titled Hetedik Műterem Ltd. Throughout the centuries, five lots were integrated because of the extension of the City Hall. Viewed from the outside, it still shows an integral Baroque design. The stone window frameworks on the facade have been whitewashed, just like the ones in the roofed courtile that had been outdoor formerly. As the archive photos show, there used to a plasterwork on the external walls, which had been replaced by the same type of plaster now. An old-new gate was added to the facade on Úri Street, which leads to the restaurant. The old images show old windows with double frames that can be opened outward and inward, with exterior shutters. The original single-layer Baroque windows have been transformed in a similar way throughout the centuries. On entering the main gate one has an overall impression which is still unique in Hungary. Components designed now, ranging from frameless glass partitions, stairways with railings, floorboards, are wellintegrated in every detail to create an unmistakably contemporary architecture which is seamless. The result is highly convincing: it brings back the old atmosphere of the house. The roofings of the courtile are well-conceived, which in turn allowed for the evolution of the windows and doors installed afterwards. The rustic texture of the unplastered walls is gripping. The furnished attic is based on remains of the Baroque style gables.

General design: Hetedik Műterem Kft.
Leading architect: Levente Szabó DLA
Architecture, interior design: Balázs Biri, Katalin Alkér, András Bartha, Rita Terbe DLA, Zsolt Tolnai
Fellow architects and interior designers: Fruzsina Barta, Kata Bartis, Anna Breuer, Rita Dolmány, Dénes Halmai, András Kunczi, Rozália Marton DLA, Eszter Mihály, András Páll, Zita Pelle, Orsolya Simon, Gábor Szeles, Nóra Szigeti, Norbert Villányi (tender: István Gyulovics, Zsófia Kovács )
Framework: József Schreiber – S-4 Mérnökiroda Kft.
Structure: Gábor Schreiber, Sándor Horváth, Dávid Lengyel – S-4 Mérnökiroda Kft.
HVAC: Ildikó Cser, Zoltán Vajda – Cser&Cser Mérnöki Iroda Bt.
Electrical engineering: Zoltán Ivanics, Attila Nagy , Gábor Ónodi – Provill Kft.
Audo-visual systems, education technology: Ferenc Molnár, Péter Tatarek – Lisys Project Kft., Péter Polner – Streamnet Kft.
Lighting: Ferenc Haász, Anita Pintér, Péter Lassu, Erika Kazella – MadebyLight
Information systems, graphic design, clock design: Ákos Polgárdi
Fire protection: Dr. Lajos Takács, Bence Jankus – Takács-Tetra Kft.
Kitchen technology: Sándor Gál – Assur Kft., László Eke
Acoiustics, environment protection: Gusztáv Józsa, Imre Sebő – Józsa és társai 2000 Kft.
Monument preservation: Muskovszkyné Dr. Judit Janotti, Sándor Deli
Historical research: Ferenc Bor, Dr. Klára Mentényi, Dr. Edit Szentesi, József Lángi, AnnaSimon, TímeaTóth – H-Y Kft.
Archaeology: Dr. András Végh – BTM, Juan Cabello – H-Y Kft., Judit Benda – BTM
Main contractor: Magyar Építő Zrt. (projekt főmérnökök: István Lajos, Antal Szilágyi, András Griecs, Zoltán Kolozsvári)
Restoration of clock: Jenő Kovács, András Kovács
Project management: Dénes Tóth, Eszter Falvai, Gábor Bókay, András Varga – Friday Creative Kft.
Client: Pallas Athéné Domus Animae Alapítvány