ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COMPETITION – AWARDED PURCHASE
Lake Hévíz is one of Europe’s most remarkable natural and therapeutic treasures. The fundamental principle of our concept is to place the lake itself at the heart of the development, with architecture enhancing its unique qualities and extraordinary atmosphere.
The design focuses on protecting the lake’s delicate ecosystem, rehabilitating the surrounding protective forests, and restoring the natural shoreline. By removing a significant proportion of the fragmented buildings currently standing over the water, the lake can once again be experienced as a unified, uninterrupted expanse. The consolidated building arrangement creates new parks, public spaces, and stronger connections with the town.
The architectural character of the new year-round thermal bath is inspired by water, rising steam, and the geological world beneath the earth’s surface. Its folded timber roof, appearing to float above the lakeshore, evokes swirling mist, the petals of water lilies, and the pointed towers of the historic bathhouses. Beneath it, monolithic, layered solid walls shape cave-like bathing spaces. While the main building is firmly anchored to the shore, its outdoor pool and sun terraces appear to float above the water.
Beyond the renewal of the medical, bathing, wellness, and hotel facilities, the development aims to create a timeless, sustainable architectural ensemble of international standing, establishing a new identity for Hévíz’s historic bathing culture.
Year of design: 2026 Architects: TIMA Zoltán, CSÍZY László, HARGITAI Bence, KISS Barnabás, BORZSÁK Veronika, SZABÓ Máté, SÁNDOR Nóra Area: 65 700 m2
