Architect: PÁLYI Gábor
The heritage Huray villas are located in the centre of Balatonfüred, next to the Round Church and the Jókai villa. Their reconstruction was part of a touristic development including several buildings, with a public function connected to Lake Balaton and maximal consideration to heritage protection.
Medical spa doctor István Huray, brother-in-law of writer Mór Jókai, built the villa-complex of three buildings, which is a typical representative of the 19th century holiday villa architecture. The Swiss-style, single story big villa (A), with its timber frame porch and ornate gable, was built in 1868, the small villa (B), similar in appearance but two-story high, in 1890. The partly or entirely rentable villas had an attached servants’ house, which is private property nowadays, so it couldn’t be included in the reconstruction. After the owners died, the complex had become a boarding house, then it was used as a company resort between 1944 and 1957. Later the Balaton Management Committee occupied the buildings after some interior and external remodelling.
The plan of both buildings resemble a Greek cross and they have a partial basement. There are large rooms in their front part and service rooms in the back. The aim of the reconstruction was the restoration of their original design based on the available sources and to provide the technical conditions of long-term operation. Historic scientific documentation, an inventory of valuable assets and expert reports on timber protection and insulation had been prepared to help the reconstruction design. The non-authentic, later built parts, dividing walls and built up attic areas have been demolished, the false alterations of the facades have been restored to their original design. The damp basements have got injected waterproofing, the ground floor slabs and the timber floors of the attics have been provided with thermal insulation of a significant thickness. This way the buildings could be operated economically. New HVAC, utilities and electric systems have been installed.
The bigger A villa accomodates the new tourist information office and a souvenir shop in spacious rooms, complete with service rooms and toilettes. Barrier free access is provided through the back entrance of the building. The smaller B villa, where the access to the ground floor is also barrier free, is a temporary event and exhibition area, used regularly for cultural events. The garden surrounding the buildings, accessible through three gates from all directions, has also been renewed. New walkways have been built with natural paving materials and benches, where anyone can rest or take part in open-air events and chamber concerts.
Location: Balatonfüred, Blaha Lujza utca 2. Built: 2023 Architect: PÁLYI Gábor Structural engineer: VÁCZI Péter HVAC engineers: SZAKÁL Szilárd, RÉTI János Electrical engineers: MÁRAMAROSI András, RITZL András Landscape architect: HAVASSY Gabriella Area: A building 290 m², B building 280 m2
