The Utilization of the Flood Area in Tivadar – A Gently Catalyser
Media Architectural Prize 2013

Design: Noémi Varga
Consultant: Zsófia Csomay

In my diploma work I focussed on the flood of the River Tisza which is the most frequent natural disaster in Hungary. This topic is a priority from aspects of economy, ecology and society as every year 2-3 minor and 5-6 major floods must be tackled along the Tisza, and every tenth year brings a record quantity of water. Flood – along the river in the area of Hungary – damages several tens of thousands buildings in a total of 52 villages and towns from time to time. However, this data is not proportionate with the small number of proposals concerning comprehensive solutions to improve the situation. My diploma work is based on economic, environmental and social research looking for ways to improve life quality by interventions as well as integrating them with minimal means and by maximally utilizing local potentials.
People living in Tivadar and the neighbouring villages live in utter poverty, which means that the dimensions, technologies, materials used and operation of the system had to be kept fairly simple, locally feasible, whilst its function emphasized local potentials.