Ludovika Academy, Budapest

Architects: Tihamér Szalay, István Mányi
Text: Sándor Csontó
Photos: Tibor Zsitva

The best views of Pest in the Reform Period were two fascinating Revivalist Classicist buildings by Mihály Pollack: the Hungarian National Museum and its more modest equivalent, the Ludovika Academy. The latter was completed in 1836 but came into use only after 1872. It is no less spectacular than the museum building. Quite the contrary: the main structure of historical significance houses the new centre of the National University of Public Service since its modernization and restoration to its original glory in 2014.
Co-designed by Tihamér Szalay and István Mányi, this grand-scale reconstruction project is perfectly adjusted to the existing historical components and meets the criteria of its new functions. As a result of modest and knowledgeable interventions, the higher educational functions have been integrated in the building besides preserving its museum character, and thus the Ludovika manages to simultaneously operate in both roles without difficulties. The reborn complex offers capacities in the long run for university education and training whilst appropriately representing the significance of public service and fulfilling versatile cultural functions.

Architects: Tihamér Szalay, István Mányi
Structure: Szabolcs Fekete – MD Studio Kft.
Civil engineering: László Radványi – BOHN Kft.
Interiors: László Gergely – Studio-G Kft.
HVAC: László Temesvári – Temesvári Tervező Kft.
Fire protection: dr. Tamás Bánky – Bánky és Bánky Bt.
Structural expert: Ernő Zámbó – Statikus Mérnöki Stúdió Kft.
Kitchen technology: Gizella Kuruczné Szabolcs – Design Studio Kft.
Acoustics: András Kotschy – Kotschy és Társai Kft.
Environment: József Kutas, Ágnes Gulyás, András Kotschy, Gézáné Holéczy – OXINIT Bt.
Client: Nemzeti Közszolgálati Egyetem