Herbal Valley, Zánka

Architect: András Krizsán
Text: Gábor Kerner
Photos: Tamás Bujnovszky

The Calvinist church and its neighbourhood is one of the most exciting sites in Zánka which is located north of Lake Balaton. This is where the Visitors’ and Educational Centre of Herbal Valley was built to designs by architect András Krizsán. From afar it impresses us as if it was a row of wine-presses but it is far from being true: it has nothing to do with vineyards or harvests. However, the complex conveys the entirety of the architecture of the region north of Lake Balaton, which is still visible in the surrounding hills here and there. It is only the function which has been changed: instead of wine it serves herbs and the expertise associated with them. Krizsán seated the buildings on top of the hill turning their backs on the village. He spread the functions and housed rooms for reception and conference in one of the buildings with the manufacture beneath, whilst he designed the other contains spaces for education, recreation and relaxation. Either we go down the stairs or enter any of the communal spaces we find ourselves in direct contact with nature and herbs immediately. What we thus experience here is a perfect harmony of the house and nature.

Architect: András Krizsán DLA – MODUM Építésziroda Kft.
Fellow architects: Gabriella Takács, László Nagy
Structure: Ákos Medek, Gergely Szarka – MEDEK Iroda Kft.
HVAC: Csaba Rosza – PUMPERO Bt.
Electrical engineering: Zsuzsa Kovács – QUALIKO Kft.
Fire protection: Ferenc Segesdi
Main contractor: László Szegő – Bordatore Bt.
Technical controller: Róbert Epres
Client: SF Alapítvány