The purpose of the Design Competition was to design the new Exhibition Building of the Hungarian Museum of Natural History and its immediate surroundings, as well as its integration into the Nagyerdo (Great Forest) of Debrecen and the creation of connections with the Culture Park.
With a floor area of approximately 22,900 m², the Exhibition Building's main function will be to house approximately 7,200 m² of exhibition space, 5,800 m² of public circulation space, reception and circulation areas, 2,800 m² of offices for museum management and researchers, 2,500 m² of technical, operational, and mechanical space, 4,600 m² of parking, and 14,000 m² of interior and exterior garden space. In addition, a 700 m² flexible space will be used for temporary accommodation for visiting researchers and/or students.
The jury awarded the following prizes:
1st. award for BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió Kft.
2nd. award for 3XN in collaboration with NAUTES Építészműterem Kft.
3rd. award for Középülettervező Zártkörűen Működő Részvénytársaság.
In addition, two honorable mentions were awarded to the studio proposals:
- BORD Építész Stúdió Kft.
- M-Teampannon Építészmérnöki Kft.
Winner entry for the team former by BIG and Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió.
The architectural solution of the entry awarded the first prize with its concept of green ribbons of land integrated into the landscape is fully in line with the mission of the institution. It is perfectly suited to the role of a new urban community space, and it represents the idea of an open institution, inviting discovery and open to all social strata. The interior design of the building and the use of materials are coherent with the messages the museum wishes to convey. It reinforces the natural science aspects with creative solutions, while at the same time managing visitor flows and providing a well-thought-out solution for artefacts logistics.
The design is outstanding in terms of the visitor experience and can be further developed with modifications that do not affect the basic concept.
Second Prize entry for 3XN in collaboration with NAUTES Építészműterem Kft.
In the case of the entry awarded the second prize, the Jury appreciated the tenderer's sophisticated architectural solutions and compact response to the programme of the Hungarian Museum of Natural History. The harmonious and exciting solution of the central spatial organisation makes it stand out from the rest of the entries, and its elegance and coherent interior design are of great value. However, the Jury considers that the enclosed massing of the building is less able to successfully represent an institution open to all social layers and age groups than the entry awarded the first prize.
Third award for the team formed by Középülettervező Zártkörűen Működő Részvénytársaság.
The entry awarded the third prize was a sculptural architectural response with a curved massing. The design is of a high standard, with a coherent concept that makes the organisation of the various functions well-structured, offering a sensitive and valuable solution. The pavilion-like concept is elegantly restrained from an architectural perspective while being functionally logical and transparent. It also has the added value of proposing a northern access option in addition to a southern orientation of its transport links. In addition to recognising the architectural merit of the design, the Jury ranked it behind the entries awarded the first and the second prizes due to its incomplete integration into the environment and the building's inability to convey a distinct identity.
