Architect: MAROSI Miklós
The unusual shape of the office buildig is the result of the characteristics of the plot, the different requirements of its owners and the limitations imposed by the local development plan. The huge, curved mirror surface of the facade doesn’t adapt to the classical architectural traditions, but it reflects every movement of its surroundings.
Owing to its spontaneous privatization, KÖZTI had to give up its downtown headquarters in Kecskeméti Street and joined forces with Szerzői Jogvédő Hivatal (Artisjus – Hungarian Bureau for the Protection of Authors’ Rights) and Bayer-AGFA Ltd. to construct their new headquarters, which had to be built in eighteen months. The detailed development plan of the neighbourhood imposed extreme limitations on the design. A regulation line, adjusted to a proposed gently curving street line, cut off about one third of the building plot. The facade and roof height regulations meticulously applied every small change in the roof-line of the surrounding buildings on to the new building. The insolation requirements for the ground floor apartments in Pálya Street meant further limitations.
The layout of the building is basically divided into two units: the Mészáros Street wing with cellular office spaces and the Pálya Street wing with large offices and studios. They are connected by elevator-staircase towers with toilet blocks, located at both ends of a small interior courtyard. There are three split-level garage floors underground. The building is fully air-conditioned, the mechanical rooms are located in the attic.
According to the long-term development plan, the area of the southern railway line will be roofed in. When this dream is realized, the huge convex mirror stretching over the facade of the building will make a real sense by reflecting this high-tech world. The corner of Győző Street and Pálya Street is more tame, it responds to the varied impacts of its environment only with the plastic effect of glass and ceramic tiles, its hidden projections, and changes in proportions and rhythm. The mirror surface of the facade is the product of modern industry, the architect can determine only the proportions of the ribs, its cornice does not conform to the classical building traditions. At the same time, its necessary fixture is the rail of the window cleaning equipment. This structural element is installed as a crowning cornice. The „butterfly wings” woven from stainless steel wire, which indicate the entrance axes of the building; the inclined flag holders mounted on the corner, the “towers” used as a sign dissolve the geometrical monotony.
The building materials and structures have proved to be suitable in the long term and the internal adjustments and modifications induced by business policy and organizational changes have been implemented in the building without any visible effects. In 2008, the two-storey high hall with gallery, originally designed as the branch office of a bank but used as an AGFA showroom and service shop accessible through the main entrance from Mészáros Street, became a chamber hall and artist club. The new hall is suitable for several functions, such as conferences on copyright issues, association meetings, concerts of classical music, literary evenings and press conferences. The podium is located on the lower floor together with the instruments and prop stores, changing rooms and toilets for the artists and mechanical areas. The amphitheatre-like, stepped auditorium seats up to 150 spectators; there are interpreter cabins, a video and sound control room, mechanical rooms, toilets, a foyer, a small snack bar and a cloakroom on the upper floor.
Location: Budapest I., Mészáros utca 15-17.– Pálya utca 4-6. Built: 1993, 2008 Architect: MAROSI Miklós Associate architect: FARKAS Dániel Interior architects: SZÉKELYI Zsuzsa (office buildig), SCHINAGL Gábor (chamber hall) Area: 15,500 m2
