Arguably the most
anticipated new initiative in Budapest since the millennium arts centre two
decades ago, the House of Music Hungary was unveiled just before Christmas 2021 in
City Park. Designed by Sou Fujimoto, it is recognisable by its signature roof,
dotted with holes through which light and sound can travel, and trees can poke
through. A huge glass wall surrounds everything – standing in the 300-seat
concert hall makes you feel being in a giant aquarium. It is rare for the wall
of a concert hall to be made of glass, and the acoustics are simply amazing.
The 12-metre-high, continuous glass wall consists of 94 pieces, each of which
has been manufactured individually. Wandering through the three levels of the
Hungarian House of Music, its manifold functions feel more striking than the
architecture around it. This is a concert venue, educational centre and museum
in one, divided according to floor. Performances take place at park level and
the area for concerts has been extended outdoors, so in summer it's a
popular place for alfresco music and cocktails.
