Buda Roller Mill
The area of the Buda Mill is located 3 km south of the city center of Budapest, next to the Kopaszi-Dam. The mill buildings were built in the early 1910s, and designed by Szilárd Zielinski; the Hungarian representative of Hennebique-type reinforced concrete structures. These buildings were part of a rapidly growing milling industry along the Danube. Production continued as planned between 1912-45 until the original Mill building was destroyed during World War II. The grain silo retained its original form, but the area was forced to change its function. The former flour silo was repurposed to accommodate the technology of a roller mill, thus taking on the role of the mill itself. The new flour silo, which still stands today, was added later. The Mill operated until the early 2000s. For the past 20 years, the site has been abandoned. The buildings were left empty and their condition began to deteriorate. The Buda Roller Mill of the Buda Roller Mill company has experienced the boom and the decline of the Hungarian milling industry. Its architectural character carries the industrial heritage of the function and the location, while its environment is transforming again.
The építész stúdió and Valyo teams are working together to bring the area back to life after its long hibernation. The Roller Mill project is a gap-filling initiative in the area that could emerge as the cultural hub of the rapidly developing neighborhood. The planning began with a study plan, which formed the basis of an architectural concept focusing on the silo, the mill, and the central space between them. In 2023, the local government placed the area under a change ban, to limit the density of new developments and increase the proportion of green spaces. During this temporary phase, the Roller Mill project proposed experimental uses for the site, focusing on brand building, attracting partners, and exploring creative ways to use the space. A one-week pop-up festival organized by Valyo in the fall of 2024 put the Roller Mill area on the map of Budapest's cultural places. The task of építész stúdió continued with the planning of space usage options for short- and medium-term operations while keeping in mind the long-term territorial vision. The first step in this was to open up the ground-floor indoor-outdoor areas for different events.
The towering grain silo and the former flour silo (later a mill) remain as iconic elements of the original complex. The silo consists of 3x12 cylindrical structures, each 25 meters tall and 4.75 meters in diameter. Beneath them lies a spacious three-aisled hall at basement level, and above them, a narrow strip of space with a panoramic terrace. The mill building is protected as a historical monument by the capital. It is a prime example of early reinforced concrete architecture. Its design follows the logic of older wooden and steel structures. Key features include dense rows of supports between the main beams, which allows for a thin, 10-12 cm reinforced concrete slab. On the other hand, the pillars become increasingly filigree as they move upwards, in accordance with the load-bearing system. The mill's operations left visible marks, such as dense perforations in the floors.
Repurposing old industrial buildings is challenging. Their unique and monumental designs, tailored for production processes, often conflict with modern functional, energy, and safety requirements. Many such remaining spaces are best used as covered public areas. The festival was an architectural space experiment. It was a test for the ideas that came up, using minimal architectural interventions to enhance usability and support the brand building.
Central Square
The central square is surrounded by buildings on three sides. This open space serves as the primary event venue, connecting the two iconic landmarks, the mill and the silo. This area offers the greatest capacity in the vicinity, with the silo's facade doubling as a projection surface. It is envisioned as a tree-lined public square linking to the planned Danube promenade.
Indoor spaces
Small Space (200 m²): Located on the mill's mezzanine, this area highlights the historic structure and hosts smaller events like workshops, performances, and installations. Large Space (700 m²): The silo's spacious hall accommodates concerts, exhibitions, markets, and installations.
Silo entrance
Three large openings were opened fully on the silo's facade, visually connecting the central square with the silo's interior. A turquoise curtain marks the entrance, also serving as a key visual element. The closed silo doors are covered by polycarbonate panels, allowing a glimpse of the series of silo funnels inside.
Gallery
Upon entering the silo hall, we reach the landing of a new stair, where we can view the expansive three-aisled space. From this gallery space, the stairs descend to the basement level in two directions. The stairs define the counter area for events on the lower level, positioning it centrally and dividing the space into two distinct functional zones.
