Big Market Hall Budapest

When contemplating the potential of this project, we were first struck by the raw, resilient majesty of the 10,000 m² Big Market Hall, graffiti and all. Then, the scale of the surrounding brownfield area that is in such transition, followed by the significant project ambitions for the Budapest Student City.

Our ensuing concept design interweaves the site with three complimentary flows: River, Park and People, and creates a symbiosis of old and new; a harmonious ensemble of architecture and landscape; of inside and outside.

We inhabited the Big Market Hall with a new multi layered, sloping terrain, an internal landscape that frames new platforms for performance and play, whilst also delivering a 6,000m² office building and a 3,000m² student residence on either side of the Hall. These elements benefit from high level connections that seamlessly connect the journey through the Big Market Hall.

The project, backed by the Budapest Development Agency, is part of a masterplan by Snøhetta which aims to transform the surrounding Budapest South Gate area into a new student and mixed-use residential district.

Our submission was awarded Third Prize. Congratulations to the winners, Bivak Studio, and the second place Deichler Jakob, both from Budapest.

A special thank you to Factory Fifteen for helping us to bring the vision to life through their visualisations.