building renovation and extension

invited competition, 2nd prize

Csömör, Hungary, 2018

team:

Sándor Guba

Péter Hámori

Balázs Besenyei

The existing set of buildings of the cultural centre are from three different time periods: a 100-year old family house, an 80-year old local pub and a 50-year old cinema. The need for renovation and extension also serves as an opportunity to make a more homogeneous architectural appearance of the complex.

All three buildings represent a particular quality of their time, which we consider as architectural heritage of the village of Csömör.

The goal was to create an intimate community courtyard - newly built and old buildings intertwine and generate a perforated frame in the urban fabric. The proposed model also follows the traditions of Hungarian rural architecture, where the main and service buildings are organized around a courtyard.

The existing buildings are painted white and all their original ornaments are to be reconstructed. The new parts and extensions are cladded with deep-toned dark brown bricks to create a homogeneous, monolithic surface which also serves as a frame or background to the old buildings.