Hungarian Architecture Museum receives green light for construction – VISUALS

The Hungarian Centre and Museum of Architecture has received its long-awaited building permit, paving the way for construction to begin. The institution will be located at the corner of Városligeti Avenue and Bajza Street, near the Walter Rózsi Villa. The project includes not only a new main building but also the renovation of two historic villas, the modernisation of two adjacent office buildings, and the creation of an open urban park.

At a design competition organised by the Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA) in December 2023, the joint entry by Tér és Forma Szeged Építéstervező Ltd. and BIVAK studio Ltd. won first prize. According to an announcement from the architectural firm on 21 March, construction can now officially begin — reports PestBuda.

The new main building will feature a distinctive roof structure and glazed ceramic cladding, referencing the decorative ceramic embellishments of fin-de-siècle architecture, but interpreted in a contemporary way. Designers emphasise that the building’s form echoes the dignified simplicity of rural barns and granaries, while fitting harmoniously into its surroundings.

What can visitors expect?

The central exhibition spaces will vary in height and include a separate exhibition hub. Amenities for visitors will include a café, museum shop, “spacebox” (likely an interactive exhibition area), and an architectural marketplace. The goal is to engage not only professionals, but visitors of all ages.

“Architecture belongs to everyone,” the designers stress.

In addition to exhibitions, the museum will host conferences, architecture camps, and heritage preservation research, evolving into a living cultural center.

Green space and historic renewal

A key feature of the project is an open community park that will offer fresh air and recreation for city residents. The renovation of the area’s two turn-of-the-century historic villas will also help preserve the neighborhood’s historic character.

The construction will blend traditional craftsmanship with digital design to create unique solutions. For instance, the development of the ceramic cladding took over a year and involved artisans and programmers working together.

When will it open?

There’s no official opening date yet, but with the building permit secured, construction is expected to begin soon. The project not only enhances Budapest’s architectural landscape but also establishes a nationally significant cultural institution where the past and future of architecture converge.

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