MarketHQ, Hungary,
A Budapest northern suburb. Hard to find, hard to see...
With a mixed use neighbourhood needing modern and design-led office space, a dynamic and forward thinking construction company as a client and an eye catching landmark hoped for; a simple, honest and abstract way to achieve the aim was to cut off a slice from the space around.
Abstract yet clean to be easily understood. A cutting element strong enough to form transparent space.
How to reach if not exceed these targets? With simple tools…
Firstly catch the surrounding space, express a folding, abstract, cutting element – a shell – to emphasise the overall concept and envelop the whole under a transparent veil.
Secondly clear services out of the space – wet, kitchen and storage elements are attached to the sides with major plant underground.
The result was a building of contrasts brought to life by its owners in – house skill and workmanship, highlighting cleanliness and functional thinking in an abstract manner, simultaneously a workspace and a comfortable centre of gravity – altogether able to demonstrate the builders’ architectural reach and ambition.
But there are invisible environmental gestures too, focused on helping exceed the initial concept: thermal mass, natural ventilation, grey-water harvesting, intelligent lighting control and solar & photovoltaic panels are already in use, alongside future-proofing for photovoltaic curtain panels.
Photos:
Attila Glazer & Sandor Duzs