Budapest Student City – Big Market Hall and surroundings (HU)

Budapest’s first bloom was after a few years of its founding: the dynamic development of now-empty industrial and logistical halls and railways. The Big City Market was the giant that sustained the capital. The Snohetta-designed Masterplan of this area defines the rehabilitation of Big City Hall and the elegant neighbouring office building and an additional dormitory as the first step toward this new city centre.
The adapting attitude towards the built heritage characterized the design. The office, the hall, and the dormitory are connected not just by the conceptual and spatial system but the material choice as well.
Two facades of clinker brick frame the smooth, horizontal mass of the elegant hall. The additional elements of the coherent, monumental interior strengthen the architectonic character with abstract and diverse construction, they respect and enhance the original values. Visually, the open space of the hall is an asset to keep, but enriched with versatile new functions. These architectural elements that serve as spatial divisions ensure the sustainability and thus, the future of the building's operation.
The entire length of the hall opens to the Danube with services attracting the public. The way the hall closes at night is by a descending safety grill depicting the original facade.
The goal of Budapest Southern City Gate and the Student City development is to use the opportunities this unique location offers, to fulfil a wide variety of needs: sports and leisure facilities, major cultural events while serving students and all locals.
This project will carry out a vision of an integrated development, which will be a defining factor in the evolution of Budapest for decades.