Pannonhalma, Benedictine Arch Abbey, Pilgrims’ House and Forest Chapel

AIT-Award “Global Award for the very best in Interior and Architecture” – first prize

Architect: Czigány Tamás
Text: Dragon Zoltán
Photos: Czigány Tamás

The reception building actually nestles into the landscape, as only its main facade is visible: the structure itself is hidden underground. On the site of the former chapel there is now an auditorium, conveniences, information and ticket counter. The building was built of the most favourite materials of contemporary architecture: exposed concrete, glass, wood and drawn-thread metal. The millennium of the mundane world as well as that of the order encouraged the Arch Abbey of Pannonhalma to renew itself to some extent. It is being carried out by taking into consideration the tradition of monks matched with modernism: this duality is primarily based on economic reform and environment-consciousness. The order of St Benedict cultivate exemplary relations with contemporary architecture and architects in Hungary: they commission both Hungarian and foreign architects in a balanced way. The Benedictines seem to be aware of the fact that we are now building the historic monuments and tourist attractions of the future.

Leading architects: Czigány Tamás, Papp Róbert, Cseh András
General design: CZITA Építész Iroda Kft.
Interior design: Czigány Enikő
Structure: Börzsei Tamás, Tilai János – BS-Tekton Mérnökiroda Kft.
Technical engineering: Gyurkovics Zoltán, Galambos Attila – KondiCad Kft.
Electrical engineering: Hornung Pál – KondiVill Kft.
Roads, public utilities: Ifj. Kovács Tamás, Tóth Gyula – Viadukt Kft.
Landscape: Hencz Helga – Kertművek Kft.
Client: Magyar Bencés Kongregáció Pannonhalmi Főapátság
Main contractor (Zarándokház): Merkbau Építőipari és Kereskedelmi Kft. – Knáb János műszaki igazgató, Miklós Gábor létesítményfelelős
Main contractor (Kápolna): Bio-Ház Team Kft. – Kuncz János ügyvezető, Cseperki Péter
Collaborators in building of the chapel: Bartha Csaba, Béres Csaba, Bóta Kata, Cseh András, Czigány Enikő, Czigány Kata, Czigány Tamás, Deák F. Tamás, Gondár Roland, Juhász Réka, Kakas Bea, Kelemen István, Nagy András, Papp Róbert, Sándor Ákos, Stein Júlia, Szilágyi Mihály, Tátrai Ádám, Tóth Györgyi, Vágvölgyi Eszter