Music House

The design draws on the unique qualities of the site focusing on the building’s relationship with the adjacent landscape of the park, the lake and surrounding trees.  The rich and diverse collection that will be contained in the new museum galleries has led to the design of a series of spaces with varied environmental and functional qualities that can be adapted for alternative uses.  These are unified by interlinking pebble-like elements that harness and make most of the natural light in a controlled fashion by avoiding any direct sunlight into the exhibition spaces creating spectacular interior views.

We propose a simple undulating building volume with four segments flowing into each other. From the foyer, a curved ramp leads up to the first, second and top floor to begin the circular route around the museum display. Ambient light levels within the galleries are kept to a minimum and light is focused on the objects rather than the space. The glazed canopy that makes all this possible is a fusion of state-of-the-art engineering and economy of form. Its unique geometry is designed to span the irregular gap between the drum of the main atrium and the exhibition roof light gap.

Architecturally, the aim has been to combine a highly efficient, contemporary form with elements of traditional design and hospitality to create a museum that is sustainable, welcoming and culturally of its place.

Balancing the mixture of lightweight steel and concrete structures with a more monumental interior experience, the galleries are anchored by a dramatic top-lit central atrium, which is the heart of the building to bring together shops, cafes, an auditorium and informal venues for music related performances.

Throughout, the treatment of light and shade draws on a tradition of discreet, carefully positioned openings, which capture and direct the summer intense sunlight to illuminate and animate these interior spaces. Natural trees are displayed within light wells, which hopefully will be reserved during the construction

The design of the galleries with contemporary interactive displays, the library and educational component, the event and lecture halls and the spacious exhibition space are all created to support the visitor experience of continuity while inviting them to participate into the magical world of music.

Hungarian House of Music will aim to bring together creative professionals, artists, composers, musicians, entrepreneurs, and visitors locally and internationally. Attractively located at the heart of the City Park, also adjacent to the lake, the axis of the site sits right along the main new museum axis linking the National Gallery and with the ’56 Memorial Square.

Clad in finely finished cast concrete sheeting, the three-level fluid volumes provide a sequence of radial exhibition spaces as well as delivery, storage and conservation areas. The museum will comply with the latest security and environmental audits, enabling it to host art from national and international collections. In front of the building, set amongst the lush trees of the park there is space for an open-air amphitheater, a venue for summer concerts, which would broaden the range of the House of Music activities and give it a strong community attraction.