1960s green
An architects’ workplace, designed by themselves, naturally. This renovated building exposes the work of the past 60 years, of precise and imprecise hands. The best of cyclical architecture and raw honesty.
📍Location
🏢Building Details
Completed 2021, adaptive reuse of 1960s building: former restaurant and also 1€ shop
113,00 sq. ft. new office for environmentally astute architecture firm
BigSEE Architecture Award 2022 Winner
👷🏾♀️Developer & Contractor
Construction 1st phase: Exedra Ltd.
Construction 2nd phase: EB HUNGARY INVEST Kft.
✍️Architects & Engineers
Bánáti Béla – Director & Owner at Bánáti + Hartvig Architects
Lajos Hartvig DLA – Director & Owner at Bánáti + Hartvig Architects
Sánta Bendegúz – Former Architect at Bánáti + Hartvig Architects
Noémi Kiss – Architect at Bánáti + Hartvig Architects
Lőcsei Vera – Architect at Bánáti + Hartvig Architects
Zsuzsanna Molnar – Communication Specialist at Bánáti + Hartvig Architects
Láncos Áron – Owner at MádiLáncos Studio Kft.
🌱Sustainability
Extensive adaptive material reuse: several demolished building materials integrated back into the building, even as different functions
External doors + windows didn’t provide energy-efficient insulation: glazed portals repurposed as meeting room dividing walls
Coverings used only when architecturally essential – exposed floors, walls, and surfaces throughout
Design decisions not always aesthetically principled – e.g. combination of old + new radiators after professional consultation determining efficiency
Total CO2 saved = equivalent to 384 trees absorption over 100 years
🥦 Wellbeing
Consciously ingrained people-focused design: amongst the first architect firm in Hungary to use International WELL Building Standard
8% of employees bought bikes within a year of moving in – as the office is easy to reach and has lockers + showers
Ample natural light with large windows wrapped around circumference; spacious open-plan design and stairwell for spontaneous interaction
Renovation has contributed to enhancing surrounding environment
🎈Bonus feature
A design competition was hosted among colleagues to contribute ideas for the building’s transformation. The result? An inspiring workplace tailored to employee preference: a place to truly call their own.
🔗 Check it out https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/banati-hartvig-architects-new-office-building
