a&o Hostel, Budapest

Architect: László Mikó
Text: Sándor Csontó
Photos: Zsolt Hlinka

Located in a dense urban fabric, on the corner of two streets named Dob Street and Csengery Street, in a new building the first Budapest-based unit of a&o Hotels has been opened. The location of the structure is a favourable one from various regards, as it is only a few minutes’ walk from the Inner City, with public transport and railway stations within easy reach. Radiating tranquillity, the corner building was completed in 1896 for the purposes of the First Hungarian Cards Manufactory Ltd. owned by Ferdinand Piatnik. Graced abundantly with Art Nouveau style motifs, this structure has an internal yard and wrap-around galleries, and was now renewed as a community accommodation facility. By clearing the densely articulated and subdivided spaces on the ground-floor, a spacious multi-functional L-shaped agora was created. It contains the reception, the bar counter with the cafe, the venues for eateries, as well as a chat corner evoking the designs of the 1960s with its bright cheerful palette and forms. By elevating the roof component planes facing the yard, the loft could be built in, and thus a fourth storey was created of which nothing is visible when viewed from the street level. The rear narrow staircase originally meant for servants was demolished and redesigned in a widened form in line with regulations. The decorative former main entrance gate was remanufactured, and the original deep blue and patterned tiles of the entry have also been preserved. The plastered facades overlooking the street containing Art Nouveau style components have been restored based on samples of remaining details. The potentials of the hostel and hotel categories are blended in the unit with a capacity of 408 beds in 114 rooms. Besides the double rooms with all conveniences, units for families and groups of tourists with 4 and 6 beds as well as bunk beds with en suite bathrooms have also been furnished here.

Client: Alpha HoldCo New Projects SARL
General architecture: Szántó & Mikó architects
Leading architect: László Mikó
Fellow architects: Kristóf Juhász, Elemér Pék
Management: CCE Hungary Ltd.
Structure: László Pataki
HVAC: Tamás Hrustinszky
Electrical engineering: András Széll
Fire protection: László Szaladják
Sprinkler: András Csordás
Kitchen technology: Ágnes Straub
Accessibility: Henriett Szabó
Interiors: Marlene Gesierich, Lena Hainzinger – BWM Architekten und Partner ZT GmbH
Main contractor: ALDESA, Spain