Tima Zoltán, design director of KÖZTI, responded to the allegations published in some media outlets regarding the demolition and reconstruction designs of the Körszálló, in the columns of Építészfórum.
“In recent years, I have been dealing with matters concerning the Körszálló building quite a lot. I can say without any modesty that I know it inside and out, so I would like to clarify some of the thoughts expressed in the Statement. First of all, it is important to point out that the design under scrutiny is not a demolition design of the Körszálló, but a demolition and reconstruction design, and therefore it cannot be compared to the fate of the demolished buildings to which the Statement refers.
The necessity of the current Körszálló’s demolition is not due to a passing fancy or a whim, but to the fact, that this is the only way for the distinguished building, praised in the Statement as well, to remain part of the Budapest cityscape. I admit that this is indeed an unusual way of protecting values. However, if we analyze the problem with empathy, but also with sufficient rationality and calmness, then – in order for the building to continue to exist – we must be able to separate its material and spiritual values. Only in this way can the goal desired in the Statement be achieved: ’The functional transformation of the Körszálló can preserve its entity by maintaining the mass, proportions, brilliant structure and the sculptural formation of the terraced part of the building. This difficult task requires creativity and empathy for the architectural-cultural values from both the developer and the architect.’
Is it possible to save and resuscitate the soul and architectural idea of a technically outdated building – one that is functionally/materially unusable and does not meet the spatial needs and technical specifications of today – for the future? Is it possible that a building, rebuilt based on today’s expectations, can represent an architectural and urbanistic message more than 60 year old? The design for the reconstruction of the Körszálló answers these questions in the affirmative and offers a reconstruction formula that can serve as a model for similar cases in the future.
The proposed reconstruction considers the impressive architectural concept of the 58 year old building to be its strongest value, therefore it preserves the unique characteristics of the building – the cylindrical tower shape floating above a flat base, its location, height and proportions, and the stepped form of the base building. The reconstruction program is adapted to the terms of rebuilding. This is the value-creating path, where heritage can prevail along with the economic, social and environmental interests, and this complex approach is the key to the continued existence of the building.”
Tima Zoltán architect recipient of the Príma Primissima, Ybl and Pro Architectura Awards lead architect of the proposed reconstruction Design Director of KÖZTI
Budapest, 3 April, 2025
https://epiteszforum.hu/a-tervezo-valasza-a-korszallo-bontasarol-szolo-nyilatkozatra
Photo: Szollár Zsófia
