Sanatorium to museum – Budapest's former hospital might transform into a cultural hub

After decades of operation, the Hungarian Museum of Architecture, preserving the legacy of architects, blueprints, models, and more, has been without a dedicated display space (except for the recently renovated Walter Rózsi Villa). However, there's a promising opportunity on the horizon for Hungarian architecture to finally have its own modern, standalone museum.

Last summer, and for the second time, a new design competition was launched for designing the Hungarian Architectural Center and Museum. The chosen location is a former hospital site near City Park (BM Hospital on Városligeti fasor 9–13), which you can see in photos here. The goal was to design a complex that not only accommodates the collections but also facilitates a new exhibition space and serves various institutional functions. Upon our previous exploration of this very site, it struck us more as an out-of-town warehouse than a museum, making us eagerly anticipate how the competition would unfold.

The current structures on the site include the buildings of the former Grünwald and Herczel sanatoriums. The plan is to house the institution within these existing structures, supplemented by an entirely new main building.

Earlier in December, the competition results were unveiled, with BIVAK and Tér és Forma Építész Iroda named as winners. Their design for the main building is captivating evoking both the iconic Zsolnay-tiled rooftops of Budapest's buildings and the charm of a traditional barn. The fusion of urban and folk elements, along with the harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary solutions, is truly intriguing. Moreover, the plan includes leaving the area in front of the new building unfenced, inviting everyone to explore the garden. We can't wait to see how the future of Budapest's new museum unfolds. Stay tuned!

(Cover photo: BIVAK)