Architect’s studio
The 128 sqm apartment is located in Budapest city centre. Designed by József Hild in 1844, the building is one of the few remaining examples of the elegant, well-proportioned, but also understated classicist architecture peculiar in the first half of the 19th century in Hungary.
The owner had the opportunity to start with a clean slate after three generations of his family had lived in this apartment before him. The property was structurally well-preserved but also in desperate need of rejuvenation. After a profound examination of the characteristics of the building, the architects came up with a somewhat unusual but coherent solution.
Working on an old building, it is an interesting dilemma to outline an adequate design approach. An old building has its character, materials, structure, and proportions. The question is how contemporary needs can be met harmoniously with these great values.
The core concept of this architectural design is to find the classicist essence of the building and turn that into a contemporary flow of spaces. First, the floorplan was reshaped based on the original layout while adding new elements, satisfying the functional needs of an architect’s studio, which is also a space to reside in. This design strategy restored the original spatial proportions of the enfilade on the main facade, empowering the delightful 4,4 meters of interior height with suitably sized spaces. The design remained abstract in its details to emphasize the original character.
The selection of restrained surface materials keeps the focus on the existing architectural values of the building. The natural oak, the Jura limestone, and the off-white colours draw attention to the beautifully restored original doors and windows, manufactured almost two centuries ago, with exquisite original brass details. At the same time the new built-in objects, the minimalist geometric lamps and the standing radiators fill the spaces with just enough contemporary design to create a fresh atmosphere.
The result is a new atelier that is still defined by the core principles of the building that was designed 180 years ago, reflecting on thoughts about relevance, longevity, progress and functionality.
