PÉCS, URÁNVÁROS MAIN SQUARE

 

The site covers the broader settings of Ybl Miklós street and Szilárd Leó park. The main spatial layout of the area follows Nendvich Andor street along Ybl street to Szilárd Leó park. The space is constantly opening up, starting from the inner areas along the promenade to the renewed Uránbányász square. A more open, central space is created by the opening of spatial to reveal the buildings.

We slightly tilted the axis of Ybl Miklós street in order to widen the walkway into a promenade in front of deparment store ’Mecsek’ and the adjacent post office. This intervention allowed the Obelisque monument to the aviation heroes to be located on the axis line.

Along with new spatial structures we also added new functions that enhance the vitality of this setting. Instead of the former commercial functions, we proposed the establishment of outdoor terraces along the ground level buildings of Ybl Miklós street. We based our spatial concept on promoting pedestrian transit and community functions. We planted an allée of trees and established a walkway on both sides of Ybl Miklós street, Építők útja street and Uránbányász square. Along Esztergár Lajos street we left the existing plants on level with elevated planting beds and laid street paving similar to the one on the promenade. The structure of Uránbányász square is determined by pedestrian transit, this concept is enhanced with targeted paving architecture design.  The busiestpedestrian routes meet at the intersection of Esztergár Lajos utca and the post office building, therefore we lef this space open. The promenade begins at this buildings and continues towards the high-rise on the opposite side. The promenade’s water features give a vertical connection between the two units.

The spatial design of Frankel Leó park follows the same principle of arrangement, however, it dissolves the geometric shapes into larger green spaces and softens the built elements. The sculpture garden in the optical center of the park becomes an interactive space for meetings, leisure, exhibits or play, with geometrically-patterned seating walls, statues and shaped trees.

2008


Design competition, II. prize


Client: Municipalit of Pécs

Size: 38 500 m2

SIMILAR PROJECTS

ÓBUDA, RENEWAL OF FŐ SQUARE

 

With the renewal of Fő square, we aimed to bring social, economic, cultural and environmental growth of Óbuda. The axis of Szentlélek square and Fő Square is highlighted by a connecting promenade, determined by the Zichy castle - the largest spatial wall in the area. The promenade ties together and connects various spaces and elements: the umbrella statues blend with Fő Square both in terms of paving and unified space, creating a smooth transition for passers-by from one space to another.

Szentlélek square receives youthful, modern street furniture and space for periodic exhibitions to encourage visitors spending their free time in the open. We also imagined revolving chairs for the square, illuminated by night to make this space more interactive at all stages of the day.

The pressure points of the promenade are highlighted with fountains along the axis, this rhythm is furhter enhanced by pavement bands. The imposing mass of the castle is softened by columnar trees. Fő Square becomes a classical, representative square to match its classical surroundings. The gas gathering station stays on its original location, since it has become a landmark to the square. It is advisable to reconstruct it with a pavilion-like appearance that may even operate as a meeting point.

2008


Design competition
 - Ist prize


Client: Budapest, Muicipality of District III.

Size: 12 500 m2

NYÍRBÁTOR, HISTORICAL PROMENADE

 

The primary function of the Historical Promenade is to provide a pedestrian access between  two high-value monuments: the Minorite and Reformist churches. After its transformation, the promenade itself also becomes into a tourist attraction.

Beyond the permanent set of statues, the space offers grounds for temporary exhibitions, events and concerts in this open air gallery. Gastronomic and commercial functions are also placed randomly to encourage visitors enjoy a longer stay in the city and use the promenade. Water architecture provides a pleasant thermal comfort in the summer heat.

The new promenade offers sights and activities for all visitors, let them be locals or tourists. By exhibiting local history, this newly redeveloped public space enhances patriotism and improves the quality of local built environment.

2010


Open space design
- construction plan


Client: Municipality of Nyírbátor

Lead designer: Art-Vital Kft.

Architect: József Végh (Art-Vital Kft.)

Contractor: Közmű Generál Kft.

Photos: Közmű Generál Kft., Pál Tamás

Size: 13 500 m2

Estimated cost: 150 000 000 HUF

 

DABAS, MAIN SQUARE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

 

Our primary task was to determine a basic order and assign functions to this square. From a spatial standpoint we had to redefine Szent István Square, create a new balance between paved and green surfaces, and highlight its significant buildings including the mayor’s office.

The principles of the plan: create a transformable community space suitable for a variety of events and seasonal exhibits, provide a meeting place for youth, and to renew green surfaces, paving and street furnishings.

Tanuló Street received a unified facade the allee of trees was revitalized, its green spaces were reorganized. To highlight the mayor’s office, we created a decorative entrance area with dynamic lines that empasize the sense of arrival to visitors and employees alike. The central fountain has three pools, which provides a pleasant visual experience while improving microclimate and adding a vertical dimension to the space. On both sides shrub plantings create closure to the square, where spherical-crowned trees provide a unified framework to the center of the area. An imposing 4-meter-wide promenade connects to the north through a green surface. We also created smaller spatial features for an interactive, playful atmosphere. The sidewalk is flush to Bartók Béla Street, paved with attractive stone and kerbing to mark  pedestrian and vehicular corridors. The area as a whole is unified in terms of style and approach.

2009-2011


Open space design
- construction plan


Client: Municipelity of Dabas

Size: 12 500 m2

Estimated cost: 170 000 000 HUF

ÚJPALOTA, COMMUNITY CENTER, MAIN SQUARE

 

Our concept emphasizes that the area can only become a vital center to its neighborhood if its urban characteristics are strengthened, its uses become multifunctional, these functions gain a broader spatial influence, while the square itself and the surrounding buildings become local landmarks.

Besides the broad spectrum of functions this multifunctional space has to offer, its ability to host events, exhibitions of different scales and types in different seasons is also essential. It is intended that the inhabitants are able to freely form the square into scenes of their unique social, artistic and cultural life.

The spatial influence of the square grows along with the enrichment of functions and the improvement of quality and therefore attracts a wider, more diverse social crowd. The diversification of the city’s aging population by attracting younger age groups was a fundamental, long term design intent.

The square and the facing buildings become landmarks that anyone easily recognizes. The community house and the square turn into a new entity, that inhabitants can claim their own - a space to express their emotions, personality and goals.

2011


Design competition,
 - purchased proposal


Client: Budapest, Municipality of District XV.

Architect: László Csízy

Size: 21 000 m2

SIMILAR PROJECTS

DÁNSZENTMIKLÓS, CITY CENTER

 

Our main design intent was to create spatial foundations for social, economic, and environmental growth in Dánszentmiklós. The reconstruction of built and natural elements of the square increases life quality in its immediate surroundings, and therefore attracts high quality services that take this growth even further towards functional diversification. Another intent of our spatial design concept was to establish individual square-segments where cultural life can take over and flourish in open space. We avoided enforcing specific uses on these public areas, and aimed to provide a transformable setting for various recreational and cultural activities.

2010


Open space design
- construction plan


Client: Municipality of Dánszentmiklós

Size: 11 200 m2

Estimated cost: 40 000 000 HUF

SIMILAR PROJECTS

PEDEST FEST 2018

 

Three of our colleagues, Tímea Kriston, Orsolya Orbán and Lilla Szilágyi, together with Transport Engineer Áron Bede, have come up with a reimagined functional concept for Rákóczi Road, questioning the currently sole transportational use of the centermost of Budapest. The road between Blaha Lujza Square and Erzsébet Bridge is transformed into a public space within the framework of a "Summer Festival", which hosts café and food terraces, sunbeds, stages, concert venues, and interconnected green spaces in the currently homogeneous concrete scenery of Rákóczi Road.

The highlighted, iconic element of the project is Elisabeth Bridge, a truly unique and atmospheric incomparable with any other location throughout Europe becomes a host to concerts and venues. For one summer, we could enjoy a 360 ° panoramic view of the UNESCO heritage Danube waterfront from the catering terraces of Elisabeth Bridge.

Our concept received a Special Mention at the ’Innovational competition for young engineers’ hosted by the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers.

2017


Idea Competition
- special mention


Client: Hungarian Chamber of Engineers

Size: 74 300 m2

SIMILAR PROJECTS

RÁKOSPALOTA, CITY CENTER

 

As part of our concept, the free-formed yet guided lines of the main square are gradually calmed as we arrive to the grand mass of the church. Behind the church, a sport promenade creates connection to the main square. Sculptures of renowned athletes placed alongside the promenade accompany the passer-by, as a reminder of past encounters, perseverance and successes.

The diagonal axis is represented by a walkway that leads to a gate, surrounded by an imposing arrangement of buildings. The natatorium and the sports center frame an inner outdoor piazza with several sports fields. There is a colonnade guiding the piazza along its 4th side, adjacent to the football pitch. The repetitive structure of the seating area contains toilets and kiosks, both indispensable elements of football stadiums. The VIP area can be optionally extended in the future, the shared lounge area opens directly from the sport piazza. The frame structure currently expands above the seating area, but can be extended or modified at any further phase of construction. The changing and maintenance rooms are located inside the stadium’s head building, which also houses a wellness-fitness center as part of a complex spatial network.

For the match to go undisturbed, the stadium has a solid façade on ground level, while the upper corridor – also serving as a viewing gallery – has a glazed one. The natatorium communicates with glazed walls to both sides, allowing an open view to the inner sports piazza and the outer park. The school is linked to this sports complex through a covered corridor. As it is not advised to block diagonal passage on ground level, this connecting corridor rises above – stands on its own feet shortly after exiting the building. Czabán Samu park is intensely linked to the functions of the sports complex - running tracks, extreme sports fields, climbing walls, trampolines, and pools are at the disposal of local sports enthusiasts.

The promenade linking the units of the sports complex ends by the corner of the church where the new community hall and playhouse are being constructed. This hall will provide space for residential discussions, and potentially become a landmark of local cooperation and unity.

2012


Design competition


Client: Municipality of District XV., Budapest

Architect: László Csízy, András Borbély

Road design: Balázs Ercsényi (Főmterv)

Visualization: János Kiss (VR Works)

Size: 280 200 m2

SIMILAR PROJECTS