Puskás Arena, Budapest

Architect: György Skardelli
Text: György Szegő
Photos: György Palkó

Recently inaugurated, Puskás Arena in Budapest impresses us from afar as an enormous heterogenuous sculpture which first seems to be a monolith evoking antique associations, but then on a closer inspection reveals the sophisticated lacy concrete tracery of the original structure. Architect György Skardelli decided to preserve the outward leaning iconic pylons of the stadium built in 1953 as robust „ornaments”. This decision entailed that the old house also brightens up as a leitmotif within the entirely new structure. 15 metres higher now, the stands are now complete and rise beyond the pylons. The upper ring of the new arena, a huge „cornice” welcomes visitors with a playful gesture. A design with exemplary concept and execution, it is an outstanding work of engineering and architecture. The former reception building has been facelifted in a modest way with its social realist style interior. The new two-storey addition on the reception building meant to house a museum is a cube form, which renders the former ceremonial entrance a subordinated component despite the addition of a new storey. The new unit clad in the old style binding and new minimalist facework reveal surfaces that underline the primacy of contemporary architecture. The gesture meant for the present and the future conveys the message that the new Puskás Arena is not a reconstruction.

Leading architect: György Skardelli – Közti Zrt.
Managing architect: Péter Tasch, Bálint Kelemen – Közti Zrt.
Architects: András Borbély, László Csízy, Tímea Deichler, Dávid Petri, Éva Sára Varga, Viktória Weimper, Gellért Oszoli, Noémi Varga, Dániel Jakab, Dániel Farkas, Barna Bozsó – Közti Zrt.
BIM coordination: Dávid Petri – Közti Zrt., Péter Reicher – Mopani Kft.
Structure: Dr. Gábor Becker, Richárd Reisch, Attila Ámon – Adeco Kft.
Consignment: Tamás Emődi-Kis, Ákos Horváth – Ekho Kft.
Interiors: Gyula Barna, Nóra Döbröntei – Interioor One Kft.
Fire protection: Dr. Lajos Gábor Takács, Judit Rauscher, Bence Jankus – Takács-Tetra Kft.
Landscape: Dr. Péter István Balogh, József Major – S73 Kft
Framework: Imre Gurubi, Ádám Becker, László Szabó – Közti Zrt., Gábor Honti, Béla Dobráter – Produktív Plusz Kft., Miklós Szakáts – Szélvész Bt.
Framework expert: László Szántó – Exon 2000 Kft
Steel structures: András Kocsis, Csaba Lódri – Bim-Design Kft.
Geotechnology, well: Ferenc László Radványi – Pbm Mélyépítő Kft.
Seismography: Dr. László Gergely Vigh, Dr. László Dunai – BME, Hidak és Szerkezetek Tanszék, Geotechnikai és Mérnökgeológiai Tanszék
Global structure model control: Ákos Pohl – Ceos Kft.
Base: Csaba Petik – Petik És Társai Kft.
Piers: Imre Juhász, Csaba Szabó – Uvaterv Zrt.
Tensing models: Dr. Dénes Dalmy – Propontis Kft.
Prefabricated elements: Béla Balogh – Asa Kft., Dániel Rozsi – Ferrobeton Zrt.
Outdoor structures: László Egyed – Szigmapont Kft., Péter Árva – EM Kft.
HVAC: Szilárd Szakál – Közti Zrt., Zoltán Virág, Zsolt Virág, Ákos Marosfai, Attila Orcsi – Duoplan Kft.
Sprinkler: Balázs Szakos – Ventor Kft., Bertalan Szabó – Spie Kft.
Heavy current: András Máramarosi – Közti Zrt., Gábor Kun, Tibor Komlósi, Viktor Kovács – Hungaro-Project Kft.
Weak current: András Ritzl – Közti Zrt.
AV systems: Dr Géza Balogh – WHB Kft.
Camera system: Ferenc Balázsics, Sándor Csia – WHB Kft.
Access control: Sándor Csia, Péter Balázs – WHB Kft.
Fire alarm, CO: Péter Balázs – WHB Kft.
Gas fire service: Gergely Takács – WHB Kft.
IT system: Károly Gerzsenyi – WHB Kft.
Automatics: László Harmath – IQ Kft.
Kitchen technology: András Gauland –Teco-Gastro Bt.
Accessibility: Bernadett Babits – Bauonline Kft.
Field technology: Tamás Kátai, Gábor Siffel – E-Sport Management Kft.
Traffic: Ádám Rhorer – Közlekedés Kft.
Elevator: Tamás Pölöskei – Makrolián Kft.
Acoustics: András Kotschy – Kotschy és Társai Bt.
Environment protection: András Kotschy – Kotschy és Társai Bt., József Kutas, Gézáné Holéczy – H&Z&G Bt.
Public utilities: Attila Bíró, Gábor Hanczár, Gábor Tóth – Kész Kft.
Electrical utilities: Zoltán Béki – Tromose Bt.
Budget: Éva Várnagy, Valér Kijátz – Várbau Bt., György Kovalóczy, Zsuzsanna Krén – Trischler Hungária Kft.
Eliminators: György Kovalóczy, Zsuzsanna Krén – Trischler Hungária Kft.