What's the truth of the urban legend that says you became ZHJ because of Zaha Hadid?It wasn't her, but for my children that I changed my name, taking up Z. Still, the idea is not completely without basis, since I have much respect for the Iraqi architect. My gate, planned for the 1996 World Exhibition, included motifs reminiscent of her, so my friends started jokingly calling me Z. Ha. Judid.
For you, what is the gist of design?The perfect manifestation of architecture is when the building breathes together with its environment. At the beginning of the work you cannot be sure of all the answers, so I believe that the architect, the co-designers and the contractor must keep shaping the initial idea and vision together. Therefore, I don't consider myself an architect, but a plan developer. In short, this is emergent architecture.In what way are you working now?At the time of the financial crisis, I had to close my office due to a still unsettled invoice, and I reformed it under the name atelier ZHJ. Ever since, my office has been operating on a project basis, so I have no permanent colleagues, we just work together on individual projects.What are you working on now?Linked with the renovation of Gül baba's türbe, we are now designing plans for the residential building at 20-22 Gül Baba Street. You must be aware that the türbe is the northernmost Islamic place of pilgrimage, while Gül baba was not only famous for his roses, but for the fact that he was devoted to the freedom of religion; he could be a symbol of tolerance. I am definite that we should set up a kind of cultural institute here, which could be the lower entrance to the museum to be opened here. We have contacted five associations and the Institute du Monde Arabe in Paris.
Judging by your work history, it seems you are often entrusted with the renovation of protected buildings?Exactly. I was quite willing to work on the renovation of the Deák Palace. You must imagine a historicist building of Baroque-ish architecture from 1903. We have reconstructed the portals, the façade, the decorations of the interior façade, and we have created an abstract mansard atop the building, but, most importantly, we turned the previously dark courtyard into a well-lit atrium. The entire building is permeated by natural light. The work won Zoltán Király, me and our co-architects a FIABCI and a Pro Architectura award.What do you consider your greatest success?Besides my children? (laughs) I don't want to create a list but for the urban development concept of the Akademia Park I gained major professional recognition at the International Property Awards - the London-based awards ceremony of the most prestigious real estate competition. The Trafó office block and the master plan were recognised separately. The first is the developer's own office block and the so-called info centre. The second is the area development plan that defines the future of the former military school [in the 2nd District].What is the essence of this award-winning area development plan?We were lucky, since the former military school has preserved its green surfaces. We saw that the key issue - in addition to the transport strategy - was to open up the park that had been closed before.
Where does this project stand now?For now, I'm searching for the new owner. I hope the plans can be realised soon.The historical connotations of this project are significant, which makes it similar to other works of yours.This area is especially rich in such references. The buildings would be realised as the 21st century cultural connection of the nearby Napraforgó Street, each designed by a different architect. The park that boasts of ancient trees could retain the horse riding school, which still keeps wonderful Arab thoroughbreds, and in addition to the bike paths, we have planned a riding trail towards nearby greens. Budapest's parks of old reminded us of Abkhazia in having been full of palm trees, as recorded in photos by Györgyy Klösz. These trees were stored inside during winter. We have imagined a glass building of such inside the park, where gastronomy could appear in a unique scenery. Pasarét used to be famous for its high level botany - we want to preserve that through creating an "urban farm," which would provide an opportunity for eco-conscious farming and teaching, while the restaurants and the inhabitants would be supplied with healthy food. The mall would be joined by a market open to the public, selling organic food and antiquities. By preserving and developing the genius loci, we could create a modern space.How were these plans shaped?Beyond cultural heritage studies, the most important factor was that prior to the designing phase we talked to local residents about what they wanted to have there. Let me mention the Europan, where I have been involved in the international jury since 1994. This tender system for young architects and urban development designers has taught me the market-based democratic urban development methods, which have made it back to Hungarian universities in the blink of an eye.You utilised this experience working with Erick van Egeraat as well?I worked for him between 2001 and 2008, and we co-created several designs. I hope this doesn't come across as immodest, but out of the 5 offices, it was perhaps the Budapest-based one that was the best prepared, we could realise even its most fantastic visions.
One of your most important co-creations is the ING HQ, how did that come about?First of all, Erick and the team surveyed the endowments of the lot between the protected office building and the villas of Benczúr Street in front of the huge City Park, then Erick outlined an idea. I was invited to join the office after this. We evolved the plans and the design into the three blocks' fractured and floating façade, which we based on textile art patterns.ING was a huge professional success, but your building co-created with Csaba Virág stood in the crossfire of debates for a long time. What do you think the reason was?Speaking of Erick, I'd like to quote him: "It is good if a building doesn't leave you untouched." Don't get me wrong, our two buildings in Kálvin Square had not been meant to provoke, it hadn't been our intention. Those two buildings came after a bleak, Socialist era when everyone was apathetic and the square had been missing an enclosing wall since the war. By the modest, neutral space and the reflections, we wanted to emphasise the existing buildings of the elliptic place and the sky. I have to add that the two buildings that came to be are not what we had in mind. Due to cuts, the control glass opaque film wasn't added and the night neon lights aren't original either. We are now in talks with the Austrian owner about finally finishing the building.
That building has more curiosities?Relatively few people know that this was perhaps the first green building of the city, relying on renewable energy systems and the double glass facade. The renewable system is based on the so-called Danube-bed: it was my engineer friend, Imre Molnár, who called my attention to the energy possibilities within. I also managed to save the glass mosaic piece by Miklós Erdély from the old firewall, so the renowned ad is now exhibited at the Hungarian National Gallery.Which is the favourite part of town for you?Nowadays, it tends to be the ruin pub-filled 7th district and its surroundings, which I believe is the symbol of Hungarian creativity. It displays a positive consequence of the economic crisis. The halt to demolitions meant the birth of a quarter, where protected values survived with the help of the market. Fortunately, i have had the chance to participate in many of these projects, for example I worked on kolor and Trafiq with Péter Szendrő. The interior design is the merit of his team, while I was responsible for the historical buildings. An area of completely different nature is the junction of Elisabeth Bridge, Gellért Hill, the Danube and the Ördög-trench. I sense a completely unique flow here. I adore baths, while from the point of view of architecture, one of my favourites is the church in Városmajor; it has a father-son constellation unlike any other place The ING HQ is also among my favourites, although I'm biased in this!
What are your favourite contemporary buildings?First, I would mention the Alkotás Point designed by Ferenc Keller and Richárd Hőnich (Építész Stúdió), and both office blocks of Market by József Schön and Sándor Dúzs. Furthemore, I like the building by 3H, Katalin Csillag and Zsolt Gunther on Váci Road, the Zichy Boutique hotel in Lőrinc pap Square by Kristóf Szmetana, and the Gábro Krupa's renovation of Gresham Palace.Would you change?The unparalleled opportunity in Budapest, and the basis of urban rehabilitation would be the better use of the river. With the help of the gravel bed of the Danube, the residential buildings along the Grand Boulevard could be renovated with the addition of heat pumps - this is what the Kálvin Center uses. It is also indispensable to redefine the identity of the banks and their surroundings. I imagined a champagne bar for Várkert Bazaar, the Gresham could reach the river as an "extended hotel", and it is simply a waste to heat the Danube with the thermal water from Rudas Bath - it could make a fantastic riverbank sauna. A few years ago, we planted a barge beach on the river, following an old tradition. I had dreamt up a pontoon bridge, a floating hotel and restaurant for the bay, which would have a pool in the water, plus houseboats by Soroksár. This is a unique opportunity for Budapest, which is also in harmony with the EU Danube Strategy. Europe has two treasures: culture and drinking water. One must hear the call of the times, this has huge economic development potential.Your flat is now your workshop as well?The building used to be a Bauhaus boarding house, the lower level of which was a drawing room. In 2000, when I moved in, I wanted to preserve the original space. The "double bathtub" is like the seaside for me. It looks unbelievable in the evening light , and in the daytime the glass surface reflects the view of the city. The gist of this space is that it is larger than the floor plan suggests. The horizon of the Gödöllő Hills and the city is like the sea. It is my sea.
